West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-12-28

All Lines OF INDUSTRY
The extraordinary prosperity which
has blessed the United states through
out 1916 Is resulting In a distribution
OF the enormous profits roaped in ev-
cry industry and in practically every
branch of business that Is without pre-.
cedent I'm this or any other nation both
as to the vastnoss OF the sums dis
bursed and as to the greatness of the
number participating In the disburse-
| monts.
Every day last week additional cor
porauons, firms and individuals all
over the country announced bonuses
OF wage incrcoscs, while some of the
large corporations which had pre-
viously made such announcement have
made new announcements that they
have increased bonus amounts or
wage raise percentages.
From the ngurcs collected il seems
certain that the figures for these dis
uibutions will roach and may exceed
S4OO U0J. .OOO
Emplo yes, however must share with
stockholders on an approximately
even basis the results of the national
prosperity. Scores of corporations
during recent weeks have declared OK
ira dividends. Many instead of doclar-
ing an extra dividend have raised tho
dividend rate. Others have made
heavy aud some fun payments of ac-
cumulated dividends, while silI Others
nave declared dividends for the first
time, and "a few have done all OF these.
Figures, complete and definite. are
not yet ayailable. But from the AN
nouncemcnts made 1t appears certain
That he dividends declared by stock
corporations in the United States I'm
the month OF December alone viii ag-
gregatc at least $35O,000 900, viii prob
ably exceed that figure and may reach
HOO.OOO,O00 as maximum estimate.
The estimate OF $3.50 900 900 was
considered conservative by men I'm the
financial district when their opinions
were asked. This estimate includes.
of course, all dividends declared or 10
be declared this month IL includes
The extra as wei as the old quarterly,
semi-annual and annual. as the case
may be. -
Stockholders and employees In the
United states will therefore have
awarded them as their share of the
years profits in it's closing month or
six weeks approximately $500, 900, 600
1t is impossible to form an even ap-
DroNimately accurate estimate OF the
number of persons that will share in
this gigantic distribution 1t is possi-
BILE to estimate from figures now avail
able that probably not less than $780,
600 salaricd or wage-carning employees
will participate. No attempt will be
made here TO estimate the number Of
stockholders who will benefit.
TO say that 9OOOO,OOO OF the 1OO.
100000 population OF the United States
Will thus be benefited by the unusual
prosperity directly or indirectly would
perhaps be as accurate guess as
could be made. This includes the fam
lies and those dependent upon the
more direct bencnciaries.
Wage increases have ranged from 3
10 30 per cent; bonuses from to 100
per cent OF the years salary paid to-
each employe Generally there has
been a qualification supulaung that
those employees earning moro than
certain sum do not participate at an
or participate to limited extent
only
Extra dividends have ranged from
fourth of per cent to 100 Dcr cent.
In several instances as much as 30
per cent OF accumulated dividends
have been paid on. ia most cases ex
ira dividends have boon paid I'm cash
I'm q few they have been paid in stock
The United states steel corporation
with IT'S 100000 participating employees
has authorized The payment OF sum
estimated by Chairman Gary OF the
board of directors az s83.000.O00 to its
employees in tho three salary increases
% has granted and in bonuses
This is thc largest distribution am
nouuccd by any corporation and tho
largest ever madei Che history of the
United states.
The Bethlehem Steel company only
q few days ago announced 100 per
cont wage increase TO Cos 10000 om-
ploycs SO official OF the company
has yct made public an estimate OF
how much this increase will add an
nually TO- The pay roll Of the corpora
tion. That 30 win add millions it IS
safe to assume
New England mill workers have had
at least Si0O0O.00O a year added To-
their annual wages through volun-
tarily granted increases. TELEGRAPH
and express companies have boon
among the most generous i'm giving
bonuses 90 employees But n roster Of
the firms. corporations aud individ-
uals who havo taken such action
proves that the prosperity has bsea
universally shared by every activity.
Of the nation.
Many firms and corpofatiop
preferred 70 give bonuses In 81
" Life. fnoe.rance poifc<[ -