Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-20

Gus are not infrequent At its own ex-
pense the company insuros against death
and casualty every employe in the for
mer case giving n benefit of 500 ana III
the latter event one-half Of the weekly
wages for full year II needed.
This is paid wholly without any direct
or Indirect contributions from the en-
ployes. It has long been the usage of the
company to provide free nursing in the
homes Of all workmen and this has led
to the gift OF superb hospital to the
town, equipped as perfectly as money
can provide, and drawing patients even
from ncighboring regions. This is prac-
tiCally free to all employees and their
families the maximum charge to those
who are permitted to pay ANYTHING be-
ing limited to 81 per week which amounts
to only per cent of the hospitals an
nual income. These free patients also
receive free medical care. An excellent
training school for nurses is connected
with this hospital. which is attracting n
constantly increasing number OF pupils
NON ROBBING COMPANY STORE"
A feature of the corporations frater
nal efforts for the wel,-bcing Of its men
store" has in some sections Of our land
become the synonym for heartless robbery
and n complete bondage: being made
simply a source of added revenue to the
corporation and constant obligation on
the part of their emploves.
In Proctor also in Center Rutland and
West Rutland, company stores OF a very
different kind exist The corporation
/ ft oicIn tta nj, n,I
supervision of It's use. 1t takes back 1
per cent interest each year urCu the am
cunt invested. No one is under the slight
est obligation to trade at such store.
An employe is allowed credit up 20 the
amount of his weekly wages If he so
wishes; but comparatively few avail
themselves Of this privilege most rre'"rr-
ing to pay cash. At the end of the year
the profits. after meeting the fixed charge
| of interest, are divided among the en-
ployes who have traded at the store, ac-
cording to the amount OF their purchases:
| thus returning to them not alone a pro-
portion of their own purchase money.
but also dividing among them the pro-
| fits from the tradings of those not en-
| ployes. Last year the Center Rutland
store declared dividend of per cent,
per cent.
| One Of the latest gifts Of the company
for the welfare of its men was the equip
ment of an Industrial Young Mems Chris
tan association. and yearly provision
for its successful management by train
ed officers. A fine building. with especial
| ly good gymnasium, now stands next tn
the library In the public square; and al
/
short time its value is being abundantly
shown. II Is becoming the social and in
tellectual center for homeless boys and
| men.
While some of the lower grades of la
borers are comparatively transient, those
of special skill in distinct branches of
marble working are permanent. from year
to year. some OF them have been in the
employ Of Mr., Proctor or his father since
the organization ard developent Of. the
/ industry in their hands. 1t is the policy
of the company to bring into its general
Offices at Proctor the choicest boys and
young men whom it can find anywhere
in the state: and its reputation is such
that Is has no difficulty in getting the
very best These boys are carefully train
ed and closely watched and as rapidly
AZ possible they are promoted to places
Of responsibility and sent out to the var
tous cities throughout our land where the
output of the works is distributed; and
1t should be remembered that Vermont
marble now completes successfully with
all other kinds in every par, OF the cviliz-
ed world; this company having n special.
~ fiourshing trade in Australia. A most
| interesting outcome of the good fellow
ship existing in this community is the
existence Of a University club, including
all FORMER students at colleges, Technical
schools and universities This has a mem
bership OF nearly forty. and includes
graduates OF many of our leading insttu
TONS also Of several European unver.
stiles. The club secures as its guests and
speakers some of the best talent of the
country: and at It's annual ladies' nigh
banquets includes the alumnae of severa
colleges for women. Such an institution
solely as the outgrowth OF an industrial
plant. Is believed to be unusual If no
unique.