The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-01-07
NEW RIAI.N| 5.
INAIB5IJRfIA|.T|'..EB BY.
BELL COMPANY !.
.EMPLoYEs WILL sE CARED FOR.
IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR SICK
NEss-ALso PENSIONS.

Nk@SS ~ -
On January first the Bell Telephone
Company inaugurated the pension sys-
ten, the object being to provide for
mployes in case Of sickness and ac'
cidents and those in old age, who had
served the company long and faith.
fully. The company and its subsidi'
aries employ about 100000 and the
management has deemed 1t wise t.
inaugurate the system which 1t be-
lieves will result in good for all con
cerned.
Theodore N. Vail, president OF the
American Telephone and Telegraph
company, has sent out the following
letter to all employees: To the en-
ployes of the Western Union Tele-
graph company, Western Electric
company and the Bell Telephone com
pany:
The new plan OF benefits for disa-
billty due to accident or sickness, Of
insurance and of pensions, goes into
effect with the new year.
Nearly 100000 men and women who
are now giving their best years to the
telephone and telegraph service OF
the country, will henceforth be as
sured OF assistance in the eXigen'
cies of life, for which all are not able
to provide, and will also be assured
Of a provision for their declining
years.
1t is but natural that every en-
ploye should desire to assume the
normal responsibilities Of life and to
surround himself and those depend.
cnt upon him with the things that
make life complete and enjoyable.
Unforeseen happenings may make
these responsibilities heavy burdene,
and whatever may be put aside for
the day of misfortune, must in the be-
ginning be small and accumulated
slowly. A realization that obligations
must he met in time OF misfortune
as well as in times of prosperity, has
made the need OF something besides
merely an old age pension appear alb
solutely vital.
Employers buy and employees sell
service. Perfect service Is only to be
found when fidelity and loyalty are
reciprocal in employer and employee
1t is this relationship that brings sat
isEaction and success to both.
The intent and purpose OF the en-
ployer in establishing plan OF bene'
fits, is to give tangible expression 10
the reciprocity which means falthfm
and loyal service OH the Part OF the
employe with protection from all the
ordinary misfortunes to which he is
liable; reciprocity which means ml'
tual regard for another's interest ana
welfare.
This in justice, and without justice
and sympathetic interest, we cannot
hone TO do a thoroughly good plect
Of work.
The American Telephone and Tele'I
graph company, which centralizes
the Associated companies into one
system, with one policy for universal
service, has considered the interest
OF all workers and has made a COM
prehensive plan possible. 1t is the
administrative clearing house and the
underwriting of the necessary reserve
fund, upon which a general plan must
depend.
One Illustrative instance of the
exercise Of these functions has been
the unifying of the various interests
so that any employe may aspire "
work anywhere in the country with
uninterrupted benefits, and any ocm.
pany can obtain any man 1t needs
without prejudice in his welfare
In behalf OF the management OF the
American Telephone and Telegraph
company, the Western Union TeIe'
graph and the Western Electric COM
,panies, let me say that we have a
personal interest in our public ser
vice, a personal interest in our en-
ployes, and a personal interest in our
common country. 1t is our hope that
what we have already accomplished
has helped the men and women OF
the Bell system to become happier
and better American citizens, and 1t
is our New Years wish that what has
been planned for the future will con-
tribute to their constantly increasing
happiness and betterment.