The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-01-02
Benefit PLAN
NOW IN EFFECT
SYSTEM FOR HELP OF TELE.
PHONE AND TELEGRAPH EN-
PLOYES STARTS WITH
NEW YEAR.
VAIL SENDS OUT MESSAGE
Taken BY Companies He's
Head OF.

As a New Year greeting to the
pIoyes of the Bell Telephone system
companies, the Western Union Tele-
graph Company and the Western Elec-
trio Company, of all of which he is
president Theodore N. Vail sent out
the Following message yesterday:
ITO the employees of the Bell Tele-
phone system, Western Union Tele-
graph Company and Western Electric
The new plan of benefits for dis
ability due to accidents or sickness, of
insurance and of pensions, goes into
effect with the new year.
Nearly 200, 600 man and women who
are now giving their best years to the
telephone and telegraph service of the
| assistance in the exigencies of life, for
which all are not able to provide, and
will also be assured OF a provision for
their declining years.
ploye SHOULD desire to assume the nor
NAL responsibilities of life and to sur
round himself and those dependent
upon him with the things that make
life complete and enjoyable. Unfor-
seen happenings may make these re-
SponSibilit1es heavy burdens, and what
ever may be put aside for the day of
misfortune, must in the beginning be
small and accumulate slowly. A real
ization that obligations must be met
In times of misfortune, as well as in
| of something besides merely old
age pension appear absolutely vital.
Employers buy and employees sell
services. Perfect service is only to be
found when fidelity and loyalty are
reciprocal in employer and employees.
1t is this relationship that b~1ngs sat
1sfaction and SUCCESS 60 both.
| THE intent and purpose of the enn@
ployer in establishing plan of bene-
fits is to give tangible expression to
the reciprocity which means faithful
ND love oTf Of he
employee. with protection from all the
ordinary nisfortunes to which he is
liable; reciprocity which means mu-
tl1al regard for one another's interest
/ and welfare.
This isn't justice. and without JUS
tice and synpa thetic interests we can
not hope to do a thoroughly good piece
of work.
1.-THE American Telephone & Tele-
graph Company, which centra1izes the
associated companies into one sys-
service. has considered the interests
of all workers and has, made g. COM
| preh ensfve plan possible. 1t is the
admins tive clearing house and the
underwater of the necessary reserve
fund, upon which a general plan must
depend
One illustrative instance of the ex-
ercise of these functions has been the
! un1fy1ng of the various interests so
that any emp1oye may aspire to work
/ anywhere in the country with uninter-
| ORSOA OO4AOAhI5s anu ably EOuIpaIly can
obtain any man it needs, without
prejudice to his welfare
| In behalf of the mana cement of the
| American Telephone & Telegraph
| Company, the Western Union Tele-
graph and the Western Electric Com
| panies, let me say that we have a
personal interest in our. public service,
a personal interest in our empIoye
and a personal interest in our COM
mon 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 contribute
to their constantly increasing fapp5-
ness and betterment''