The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-18

Chalmers Motor Car Com
pany Looks After Health
Of Men and Women En-
ployed at Big Detroit Plant
SLOGAN SAFETY FIRST

now being mastered by the captains Of
modern industry is the necessity for
conserving the health and content
mcnt among employees. An intricate
machine will not work efficiently
without intelligent care. A trained
worker is the most valuable asset of
the manufacturer Forgetting the hu-
manitarian side entirely. he cannot af-
lord, economically, to permit his en-
ploye to work amid surroundings det-
rimental to mind and body The most
significant index to this fact is the
stringent legislation against long work
ing hours. safety First" is a slogan
that has brought widespread reforms
In factory precautionary equipment in
the past two years. Those companies
which have recognized the Importance
and need for the awakening have pro-
crossed rapidly. Now they arc being
heralded, not only as philanthropists,
but as far-sightcd business captains as
well.
An inviting factory site is just as
important as roomy and hygicnic in
terror. It the workman trudges up a
dirty cinder path every morning, en-
tcring forbidding prsonlike walls that
shut him off from the out of doors.
his mind is likely to be hostile from
the beginning of his days work. If.
on the other hand, everything is done
to make his surroundings attractive,
IA l..
be more kindly. When plans were made
for the erection of the Chalmers plant,
Hugh Chalmers selected o spot far
away from the factory centcrs of De-
troit. At that time the grounds of
his choice Were almost in the country.
Thirty-two acres of ground were plot
ted out and work begun. The buildings,
which are a combination Of the unit
and group types. arc of reinforced
concrete and are distributed so as to
afford the maximum of light and air.
The four main buildings are each four
stories high.
Sanitary drinking fountains are con-
reniently located throughout the works
and offices. The water Is cooled at
some points by earth coolers. 80 feet
deep. and at others by ice coolcd coils.
In the departments where mon arc en-
posed to great heat, as in the heat
treating department and the power
houses. shower baths are provided. A
large and well equipped Serve SELF
restaurant is maintained in a building
especially erected on the Chalmers
grounds. At a minimum cost the en-
Dloycs can get good wholesome food.
Eighteen or 20 cents will buy a hearty
meal for a hungry lahorcr. 4 modernly
equipped hospital with u graduate
surgeon in constant attendance is
maintained on the grounds.
In case OF injury to any employc, the
patent is at once taken to the doctors
office and such first aid administered
AS Is necessary. a factory ambulance
Is ready to take anyone seriously in
lured to hospital.
Before any employee IS hired he is
given thorough physical examine
ton. II he is afflicted with any con-
tagious disease that would be a men,
acc to other employees hc is not ad-
united. If however, he is found suffer-
ing from a slight afflictiun that does
not destroy his capahllity for work. he
VIII be given the employment that he
can do best under his handicap. For
instance, il a mans cycsight is sub
normal he will be assigned to tasks
where eyestrain will be least likely to
develop. II weak lungs show under
Inc physicians examination, out Of
door work will fall to his lot,
Special attention is paid to the q,les-
'i"n OF accident prevention. Inspect
ors are maintained whose business il
IS to see that every dangerous machine
Is eItectually guarded. An educational
SAFETY campaign IS constantly being
carried on among the employees by
means of a series of bulletins, surces-
tons and instructions posted on Safe
ty First" bulletin boards.
one of the most inviting features
OF the Chalmers plant is the landscape
gardening. Spacious lawns, bordcrcd
with shrubbcrN and Towering plants
are tastefully laid out. Instead of the
cindcr heap and the Stag pile, green
grass and stately naples meet the eve
n regulation tennis court ana a base
ball diamond have been provided for
the noon hour entertainment Of the
employees.