The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-10-06

demagogue and selfish labor leader
constitutes most vital problem, the
solution OF which will be of the
greatest concern, both for the state
and the nation. Considering the
great influences possessed by the
mill corporations in almost every d.
rection over the living conditions of
the villages. it is but just to. expect
of them that they should attempt
wisely to handle this problem. Ger
tainly, there is no need OF argument
to prove that the children and youth
of a people are to be saved and de-
veloped for the future and not mere
ly worked to the profit OF the
present.
..To be sure considerable has al
ready been done under the guidance
and with the support of the mill cor
porations. Among the agencies at
work for the Improvement of the
living conditions of the villages may
be mentioned: First, their preach
lers. who as a class, however. are
for the most part poorly educated
and the least efficient of these help
Iers. They work for salafy of 5000
to $500 year, which is perhaps as
much as they could earn in any
other occupation. Second, the vii
large school teacher, who Is badly
ove-worked and under paid at a
salary of not over $40 per month
He is forced to teach, largely on his
own resources without help of eoun-
~ or state supervision, Third, the
physicians are with few exceptions
not of the best, and often OF the
very worst kind. The latter class
especially seeks the village for he is
unable to get practice elsewhere.
1T is estimated that the average
cotton mill in South Carolina costing
ls71i,2s5. with a village population
of s92 persons. has spent as much
as s2,500 in school buildings, be-
sides contributions to church build
ings. In addition such a mill per-
haps contributes as much as $500
per annum for the support OF preach
ers, teachers and welfare agencies.
Most mills deem il unwise to make
larger contributions than this. But
when one thinks OF II, II does APP
pear far too small when compared
! with payments by the mill to its
Operatives in the manufacturing of
its product. II should be remem-
bered that the value OF school and
church depends far more on the
teacher and preacher in charge OF
them than on the buildings them
selves.
Realizing the fact that the vii
lagos are almost entirely dependent
for contributions, on the mills, for a
continuation of this welfare work.
some ten OF the mills have under
taken TO do much more for the vii
lagos. Their motive has been a
genuine desire to help the operatives,
and the methods used have proved
profitable alike 70 the employee and
employer. II has succeeded in in
spring the employe with a desire to
do his best and Of giving him a
healthful environment In which to
do IL.
T'They have thus furnished medI-
cal dispensaries, club houses for men
and women, savings banks, libraries,
kindergartens, day nurseries. parks.
swimming pools and shower baths
for both men and women, smash
pools for children. cooking and sew
ing classes, night schools. debating
clubs and literary societies, village
fairs, and instruction In keeping
yards and gardens.
This work has been thoroughly
justified In the improvement and EN-
cheney of the operatives and IN the
saving OF the friendly attitude or
operatives toward the mill manage
ments. II Is absurd ITO think that
such help as this u pauperizing these
people. II IL simply putting them M
position where they will be able 10
do better work and to look after
their own welfare"
AZ the conclusion Of Mr.. Parker's
address, President Few announced
the gifts for the year. In doing 40
he commented pertInently on the
doubtful spirit some OF our Institu-
tons Of Learning display in accept.
Ing gifts from friends, saying IN the
course Of bis speech:
''rhe gratiture that hIgh-minded
men feel for the acts OF generous
benefactors never has and never can
have In Il the slightest tInge OF sub.
seryiency To their everlasting
credit be Il said that philanthropIsts
IN this country with the fewest en-
eeptions have no wishes with regard
70 their gifts except that they be
used so as TO do the most good. And
feel that a worthy institution OF
education can accept gifts on no |
other terms. Certainly no gift has
ever been accepted by Trinity col
lege on any other terms, and be-
lieve none ever will be. ! am very
grateful 70 be able 70 say that the
influence Of the benefactors of this
college has always been felt by Us
to be on the side Of truth.seekIngl
and truth-speaking, and on the side
Of progress and the widest human
service. The college will gladly wei.
com rom any source gifts, large or