St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-11-01

| condition. What he read to his
stockholders was homily on sani-
tation, old age pensions, decent Of
| fees and better service to the public.
This is heresy if we know what
heresy is. His report is by no means
the usual dry-as-dust showing of de-
creases in this and increases in that,
nor of economies here and hopeful
showings there. On the contrary, it
is report that seems to have an as
tonishing amount of public consid
Grafton in it. In one respect it is
| indeed similar to a great many an
nual reports that are being issued
| just noW-it does not promise Ito
stockholders an increased dividend
rate. But the reasons for not prom
Using this increase are not poor bus
mess or poor business prospects,
but something altogether different.
President Vail does not call for fur
Their economies in order to bring up
a higher dividend rate. On the con-
trary, he insists that too great eco
Monies have been practised, to the
detriment of the service and the
good of the employees. He declares
that before more money can be pro-
vided for the stockholders the con-
dition of the employees must be i'm
proved! The Offices must be put in
better condition, pension system
must be inaugurated and public con-
fidence must be secured and held. 1t
is unusual for the head of big
concern like the Western Union to
declare that it must brace up and
that it has not been fulfilling it's |
duties toward the public or toward
the employees When one reads this
paragraph in the report he begins to
appreciate that Mr.. Vail is very
earnest in what he is talking about:
Without going into detail
there still exists necessity for
the doing of many things which
cannot be ignored. Salaries and
wages to be readjusted, an eff
fective and beneficial pension
scheme to be inaugurated, that
good men may not only be re-
tanned, but encouraged and
made to feel that the interest
and prosperity Of the company
works for their interest and
prosperity. Offices and appara-
tus and general surroundings to
be improved, frightened up,
that all work may be done
under decent and sanitary con-
ditions. Plant to be recon
structed, that promptness and
efficiency may be required and
obtained ---------+--~.-.-
This sounds very different from the
calamity reports and recommended
lions of some railroad and other
industries presidents and the head
chopping policies that are in vogue
with them at the present time. The
Western Union has increased wages
to the astonishing extent of twenty
one per cent during the past year.
What other concern has done that?
And yet President Vail declares that
more increases are needed! And the
stockholders, who are getting only
three per cent. now, are plainly told
that they won't get any more until
the plant and the people are in bet
ter condition. While all these decla
rations may sound like the maunder-
ings of a Socialist or certainly of
poet-anything but those of BUSH
ness man-they are indeed the find
ings of a keen business man who
knows that liberality and good treat
ment of employees are big assets for
any concern. Now that the Western
Unions head has indicated it, one
need not hesi+ ate to say that under
the old management this company
was one of the most liberal, niggard-
ly and unprogressive in the world. It
had few if any sanitary appliances, it
paid miserable salaries, it's equip
ment was poor and it's service was
bad Under Colonel Clowry condi-
tions somewhat improved, but it was
not until Mr.. Vail with his big ways
broad policies took hold that the
began. to grow and expand
in all ways. This report shows an
increase of, business in every direc-
ton except in leased lines-which
means the abolition of poolroom ,
Mr.. Vail doesn't regret
that More power to his elbow! And !
may his stockholders never grumble !
for four or five per cent. until the
company has frightened it's premis- !
es, made them more healthful, and
improved the Iotaof its people. This
is the doctrine he has preached in
the telephone company and in every
other big enterprise in which he is
This is the T. n. Vail
way of doing things, and it is the
best way.-[ Boston Transcript.