The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-10-20

issued Just now-it does not promise TO
stockholders an increased dividend rate,
But the reasons for not promising this in
crease are not poor business or poor bust
ness prospects, but something altogether
different. President Vail does not call for
further economies in order TO bring up a
higher dividend rate. On the contrary, he
insists that too great economies have been
lpractised 10 the detriment of the service
and the good of the employees lie declares
| that before more money can he provided
for the stockholders the condition Of the
employees must be improved! The offices
must be put in better condition, q pension
system must be inaugurated and public
confidence must he secured and held. II is
unusual for the head of big concern like
the Western Union to declare that il must
brace up and that il has not been fulfilling
its 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 talk
ing about
without going into detail there still cx-
lists a necessity for the doing of many things
which cannot be ignored. Salaries and
wages to be readjusted, an effective and
beneficial pension scheme TO be inaugl.
rated, that good men may not only be re.
tanned. but encouraged and made 10 feel
that the interest and prosperity Of the
company works for their interest and pros.
perity. Offices and apparatus and general
surroundings TO be improved, frightened
mp, that all work may be done under de-
cent and sanitary conditions, Plant 10 hc
reconstructed, that promptness and eff
cheney may be required and obtained"
This sounds very different from the ca.
lamty reports and recommendations Ot
some railroad and other industries presi
dents 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 81 per
cent during the past year. What other
concern has done that? And vet 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 better con
dition. While all these declarations, may
sound Ike the maunderings of a Socialist
or certainly Of a poct-anything but those
Of a business man-they are indeed the
findings of a keen business man who knows |
that libcrahtv and good treatment Of en-
ployecs are big assets for any concern, Now |
that the Western Unions head has ind- !
Gated il. one need not hesitate to say that |
under the old management this company |
was one of the most iliheral, niggardly and |
in the world II had few il |
any sanitary appliances, it paid miserable |
salaries, its equipment was poor and its
service was bad Under Colonel Clowry con.
ditions somewhat improved, but il was not /
until Mr.. Vail with his hig ways and broad /
policies took hold that the company began
TO grow and expand in all ways, This re-
port shows an increase Of business in every
direction eNeeut in leased lneS-Which /
means the abolition of poolroom wires
and Mr. Vail doesn't regret that. More
hover to his elbow, And may his stock
holders never grumblc for four or five per
'ent until the company has frightened its
premises made them more healthful. and
improved the lot Of its people This is the
doctrine he has preached in the telephone
company and in every other big enterprise
n which he is concerned.