Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-12-01
FRIDAY EVENING. DECEMBER j
1t is almost as preSumptuous to think
that you can do nothing as to think you
can do uerything-PHHLIPs BROOKS.
HAPPY DAY FOR THRIFTY ONES

T<HIS is a happy day for the thrifty
ones of the Telegraph Family.
They are on the eve of the final
payment for their savings for 1916.
On Monday they will prepare to de-
clare a dividend that will vary from
S25 to $500. according to the number
of shares they hold, and will start
another year as hopefully as they
began that now drawing to close.
The Telegraph Employees Associa-
ton is not connected with the Tele-
graph Printing Company in any way,
save that to qualify for membership
one must be an employe of the COM
pany. From highest to lowest all are
eligible and all have a share in the
management of the associations af-
fairs. 1t is little banking associa-
ton all of itself. And the most
significant fact in connection with it
Is that the savings increase yearly
even more rapidly than the working
force.
This movement of the Telegraph
Employees Association is in accord
with activities of concerns everywhere,
which are doing more and more to
encourage habits of thrift among their
employees. They have found that the
man who is thrifty is, as a rule. the
best workman. His habits are
steadier, he has greater freedom from
worry, and he is more to be depended
upon than the man who is constantly
hard up and in mental distress be-
cause Of improvident habits.
Four years ago a certain American
manufacturing concern encouraged
its employees to pool their savings in
building and loan plan. AS a result
these factory men have laid aside
100000 during the period and more
than 160 homes have been built with
the savings. What a tribute to the
great virtue of thrift.
Another concern, which is located
in Chicago, recently inaugurated a
profit-sharing plan that will provide
a permanent pension to those en-
ployes who continue in faithful en-
ployment. Five per cent. of the an
nual profits of the concern is to be
distributed among the employees who
participate in the profit-sharing fund.
Any employe may deposit with the
company 5 per cent. of his annual
pay, providing this sum does not ex-
ceed $3.50. Participation in the earn
ings of the company will be based on
the amount of pay deposited by the
employe. Deposits are made with a
board which consists of an equal num-
Der of the members of the corporate
organization and employees. This year
more than one-half million dollars
will be disbursed among employees
who, through habits of thrift, have
earned their right to participate
therein.
AS we are on the threshold of a
new year. it is an excellent time for
employers of labor to give thought
to plans for helping their workmen
acquire thrifty habits. In this con-
nection, we are reminded of
statement made by the late James
virtue of tomorrow, but of to-day.
The young man who puts off until he
is earning larger income in the effort
to save and accumulate is pretty sure
never to begin, unless under the pres
sure of misfortune. 1t is literally true
that only beginning is difficult"
The possibility for saving among
Harrisburg people is shown by the an
nouncement of local banks that more
than s1,00O,000 will be paid out by
their Christmas clubs for the present
year.