The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-08

Peterborough Rapid Transit Company
aud The Ncw York RdHWdys Com.
pdny. announced fcw ddDs dgo
thc establishment Of q ncp depart
mcnf f those companies 10 b.
known az TIE wcitdre department.
The wcitdy wOrk and rhdf the
companies hc heads hare done
along that line NJ. Shonts captains
kcrcWifh.
~ THEODORE y. sUONTs.
"HE announcement by these COM
panies Of new an, a., :, distinct ,wn UNI.
the Welfare Department should
not he construed as anything new In
the established policy Of the manage
uSent. 1t Is an evolution rather than
q creation.
Neither should the establishment OF
this department lie understood as In
vofving anything of a philanthropic or
charitable nature. To the contrary. its
sole aim is to provide a central CLEAR
Ing house" as II were. for collecting and
considering the views and ideas OF en-
pluyecs and officials alike. looking to-
ward more scientific development. in
plan and scope, and more intelligcntly
directing. to the best advantage in
economy and effectiveness. the various
phases OF so-cailed welfare work which
have evolved from the voluntary CO.
operation of employees and officials In
doing those things which. socially and
economically. make for their mutual
betterment
might also add in the establishment
Of this department there is nothing new
Involved In the principle or theory of
corporate organization. Organization Is
nothing more or less than a means to an
end. At the heads Of the various de-
partments or units Of industry We have
trained experts. viz. lawyers, chemists.
civil. mechanical and electrical engi-
peers and those who have made life
study Of transportation. financial and ac-
counting matters and methods. The
theory OF this method of selection Is
that each topic or activity may he stud
led to perfection by a specialist that the
organization as a whole may profit by
bis knowledge. 1t Is for this same rea-
son that we keep elaborate statistics on
the causes Of accidents on the causes OF
rail failures. signal failures and on the
elements entering into the structural
and mechanical life of ties and of al
other classes OF material. that the whole
organization may prot from the knowl-
edge revealed by experience and close
scientific study. Thus IL will be seer
that the highest type OF organization Il
enc that avails Of and utilities the bes,
that Is in each and every member to the
mutual advantage Of all-employees and
officials alike. This Is our sole purpose
IN the establishment OF welfare de-
partment.
The duties Of the director OF welfare
work will be to study and collate funda.
mental data in respect Of working con-
ditions aid the legitimate needs OF EN-.
bloyees and, through cooperation with
employees. and subject always to theil
approval. endeavor to more intelligent,
administer to such needs.
Other than a general conception. TIT
ultimate plan and scope of the work hal
not been definitely determined upon
Neither has it been fairly determined al
TO the manner in which the details o
the work shall he carried out. 1t Is thu
intention, however. to place each func
ton Of welfare activity in the hands o
which are to he chosen by employees
themselves. The work of these various
committees will likely be further supple
mented by what Is commonly known a
the Suggestion scheme thus at al
times providing means Of giving eacl
employee a direct voice In the admins
tration of the various activities Of tn
welfare department The methods an
regulations. as well as personnel of tn!
general scheme of organization will III
left entirely to the discretion OF EN-
plOyees. The welfare department !
purely an institution of and for the EN-
Lloyees. and consequently It's actiV!tie
will always be subject to their approva
and Endorsement.
In my long experience as an cmpoye
! have always felt that from an economi
rs well as sociological point of view EN-
ployees were entitled to considerable
other than the payment OF direct none