Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-06
CIVIC FEDERATION
MEETING OF WELFARE DEPART.
MENT LAST EVENING.
Address by Mr.. Vreeland-To Better
Rela lions Between the En-
ployer and Employees.

Miss Gertrude Beeks. secretary of the
welfare department OF the Civic Fedora
ton. and IL. II. Nreeland president OF the
New York City Street Railway Company
and chairman of the welfare department,
delivered addresses last evening at the
home of Representative and Mrs. Babcock
of Wisconsin on the work of that branch
of the fedora ton. 1t was announced that
Miss Beeks this evening will deliver a
lecture. illustrated by stereopticon views
on her work secretary of the welfare
department. President Vreeland last even
Ing said. in part:
"As chairman of the welfare department
OF the National Civic Federation. / desire
TO express my appreciation of the oppor-
tunity of presenting its work to such a
representative gathering. Its organization
was authorized for the reason that II was
believed that the efforts of the National
Civic Federation to better the relations be-
tween employers and employees would be
materially aided by the promotion OF what
IS called welfare work
Senator Hanna, who at that time was
president of the federation. being familiar
with the work / had done for years along
this line. asked me IL / would take-for a
year al least-the Craftsmanship of the de-
partment, / told him that my interest was
so great In the work that would do So
busy as ! was. He replied My experience
has shown me that IL is the busy man who
accomplishes things I'm this world
our first step was TO call a meeting al
the Hotel Waldorf, In New York, of repre-
sentative employers OF labor In the eastern
and middle sections of the United States 70
get an idea of their Views on this work,
and also 10 determine on the best methods
for carrying Il forward. To our great sur
prise there was an immediate response from
many large employers OF labor.
Day of Specialization.
ut may seem odd that men successful
in business and carrying forward their
work in a systematic manner should re-
Quire assistance in introducing welfare
work but this is q day OF specialization
Those who have had practical experience
in installing welfare work are best quail
fed TO give advice Furthermore. many EN-.
ployers would introduce welfare work into
their establishments were II not for the
time and trouble needed for Its organiza
tIon.
a notable example of the recognition OF
the need OF such specialized effort has beer
the cali upon us by the isthmian canal com
mission for two men to investigate tn,
employees OF the government engaged In tn,
construction OF the Panama canal, and (;
make definite recommendations The gov
eminent found 1t essential to provide re
creation for the men. In addition to sani
tary measures. II was discovered that
with nothing OF interest to occupy thei
leisure time, the men become lonely ant
depressed and subject to the diseases OF th'
tropical climate. To secure q happy con
tented. permanent set of men, the govern
ment sought the advice OF experts upor
plans for recreation.
''All OF our Investigations OF failures II
this line have shown us conclusiveiy tha
a Just and fair policy OF dealing with labol
must be the foundation for all welfare