Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-01
WELFARE WORK PAYS
THINGS DONE BY LARGE CON-
GERMS FOR employees.
Growth of the Idea of Senator Hanna
When the Civic Federation
Was Formed.


From the New York Sun.
When the late Senator Hanna and his as
sociates in the organization of the National
Civic Federation first planned the work OF
the federation they instituted five depart
ments. There was a department OF trade
agreements, a department of Cancellation
and arbitration. one of industrial economies,
another of trade sections and still another
upon general organization. Senator Han
mas associates considered that this organ
ization was OF the widest possible scope,
but to the senator something seemed lack
ing.
I'VE have provided for the purely theo-
retical side of the work." he is said to have
remarked to one of his colleagues. and
also for the purely business side. But the
! federation ought to do something more than
preach economics and practice chickering's
over hours and wages. There is an impor-
tant middle ground, the human side, that
we have left out altogether"
The senator's idea developed into the or
ganizatio of a department which should
concern itself with the physical comfort OF
employees, their opportunities for recreation,
educational facilities, suitable sanitary
homes and plans for saving and lending
money, insurance and pensions. 1t was
called the department of welfare work
+ The department has been in existence lit
tie more than year. but is already consid-
cred one of the most important and beneti-
cia of the federation. Unlike the other de-
partments, it uses arguments upon employ
ers only.
1T will pay YOU Mr. Employer" the well
fare agent says, ito establish good bathing,
toilet and dressing rooms, libraries, recrea-
ton rooms lunch rooms and hospitals In
connection with your factory. These things
will cost you money, but the money will not
be a gift.
1T will be an investment. You will reap
rich returns in a resultant greater eff
cheney of your employees due to greater
SoundneSS OF body. mental Improvement
and content of mind and a greater desire
on the part of the employee to remain in
your employ.
Proof by Statistics.
If the employer desires it. the agent will
produce statistics showing the direct finan-
cial gains from the establishment of well
fare work. He will refer to a great rail-
road system, for instance, and show how 1t
has reduced the losses from accident by
! attention to the physical comfort and well
| fare of its employees.
The establishment of rest houses where
| engineers, firemen and trainmen may have
| good bed at no expense to themselves; OF
| club rooms. where they may find card ia
| bles. billiard and pool rooms and other di-
versions, and lunch rooms, where food is
| furnished at cost, not only enable the en-
ploye to save a larger portion of his In
| come the agent will say, but are advan-
| tageous to the company in that they insure
| the company physical fitness and mental
| alertness In its employees
In hazardous employment, such min
| ing, the welfare managers point out as
| their model large mining company of the
| west This company has established at
| each of it's mines a hospital in which the
| injured can have good surgical treatment
! free of charge. In connection with every
| hospital is maintained house for con-
| YalesCcutS.
| The same institution conducts kindergar-
| ten schools for the children of employees
! and has also instructors to teach advanced
| subjects. In one of its schools 1t has a
| class of twenty japanese. Bohemiars,
| Italians and Poles are also numbered
| among the pupils.
/ After the fashion of Bishop Potter the
| same company is experimenting with model
| saloons. At ore mine it has a saloon at
| which only soft drinks are sold; at another
| at still another the employees can find any
+ drink they like Rules against intemper-
! ance aud no-treating regula ton are rigid
| ly enforced. but otherwise the employees
| have entire freedom.
| The object of these model. saloons is to
| keep employees away from the cheap grog-
geries which infest every mining camp.
| The comparative business done by the three
| places will demonstrate to the management
| which form of saloon it is most advisable
| TO conduct permanently.
| The welfare agent will show that 1t pays
| progressive employers to erect model tene-
ments or dwelling houses to rent to en-
| ployes al a narrow margin of profit on the
| investment. These employers who have
| tried this plan enthusiastic over the
| results