Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-04
PHONE employees
TO Get PENSIONS
Two Hundred Thousand Men
and Women Received Presi-
dents Announcement.

New York, Jan. President Theo- |
dore n. Vail of the American Tele- |
phone and Telegraph company, has
sent the following congratulatory tel
egram for transmission to the 100000 |
employees to be benefited by the PEN |
sion and disability plan inaugurated |
by his company on Jan. l, 1913:
To employees of the Western Union
Telegraph company, Western Electric
company and Bell telephone system:
The new plan of benefits for disability
due to accidents or sickness, of insur.
ance and of pensions, goes into effect
with the new year. Nearly 100000
med and women who are now giving
their best years to the telephone and
telegraph service of the country will
henceforth be assured of assistance in
the exigencies of life, for which all
are not able to provide and will also
be assured of a provision for their de-
clining years.
1t is but natural that every employe
should desire to assume the normal
responsibilities of life and to surround
himself and those dependent upon him
with the things that make life COM
plete and enjoyable. Unforeseen hap
penings may make these responsible
ties heavy burdens and whatever may
be set aside for the day of misfortune
must in the beginning be small aad
7 n od ell A
that obligations must be met in times
of misfortune, as well as in times of
/ prosperity, has made the need of
something besides an old age pension
appear absolutely vital. Employers
buy and employees sell service Per-
| feet service is only to be found when
/ fidelity and loyalty are reciprocal in
employer and employe. 1t is this re-
lationship that brings satisfaction
and success to both.
The intent and purpose of the en-
/ ployer in establishing a plan of bene-
/ fits is to give tangible expression TO
the reciprocity which means faithful
and loyal service on the part of the
employee, with protection from al the
ordinary misfOrtunes to which he is
liable; reciprocity which means mu-
| tual regard for one another's interest
and welfare This is justice, and with.
out justice and sympathetic interest,
we cannot hope to do a thoroughly
good piece of work.
The American Telephone and Tele-
graph company, which centralizes the
associated companies into one system
with one policy for universal service,
has considered the interests of all
workers and has made a comprehen.
sive plan possible. 1t is the admins
trative clearing house and the under
writer of the necessary reserve fund
upon which a general pan must de-
pend One illustrative instance of the
exercise of these functions has been
the unifying of the various interests
so that any employe may aspire to
work anywhere in the couatry with
uninterrupted benefits and any com
pany can obtain any man it needs
without prejudice to his welfare.
4 In behalf of tie management of the
American Telephone aad Telegraph
company, the Western Union Tele-
graph and the Western Electric COM
panies, let me say that we have per
!, sOnal interest in our public service, a
, personal interest in our employees and
= personal interest in our common
country.
1t is our hope that what we have
; already accomplished has helped the
l men and women of the Bell system to
become happier and better American
citizens and it is our New Years wish
/ that what has been planned for the fu
, ture will contribute to their constantly
increasing happiness and betterment