The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-04-11
WORKING 1T OUT TOGETHER.

The first big corporation to grasp
the changing social conditions. and
to make a determined effort to solve
the big problems Of the coming era
comprehensively and on a basis of
fairness and humanity, is the Stand
ard Oil company Of New Jersey.
It is one of the most interesting
experiments in adjusting Tabor prob
lens that has yet been tried in Am
erica, and both employers and en-
ployes will watch it with the keenest
interest.
The company recently announced
wage increases amounting to about
s3.Ooo,OOo, a plan for annuities and
sick BENEFITS, and a general improve
ment in working conditions. But
this was the least important part Of
the whole plan. Here is the one out
standing feature. The company IS
not doing something for the men,,
but the company and the men are
working the thing out together" ac-
cording to one Of the officers. He
was asked for some details OF his
plan by a New York reporter, and
said he couldn't give them. because
there was no cut and dried scheme,
but that they were working it out
together.
The company began by calling an
election Of representatives for the
men. there being one delegate for
every $50 employees. These men will
sit in conference with representative
Of the company, and work out solu-
tons for all problems that arise. For
example, they are drawing up a list
of offenses for which men will be
subject to discharge, which include
such things as drunkenness, and re-
fusal to observe safety first rules.
Then the company decided upon a
big housing enterprise, investing
5000, 900 in providing houses for the
employees. The representatives viii
work out the details Of this. which
will be in no sense charity, but the
company's profits win be limited to
per cent on the money invested, and
the men will arrange all the details,
even to planning their own houses.
An elaborate system Of annufties
and sick benefits is being arranged,
and this committee is drawing up
the details. The annuities amount to
2 per cent Of the average annual pay
for the ten years preceding retire
ment, for each year Of service. Thus
the employe who has been receiving
an average Of 800 q month for the
ten years previous to retirement, and
who has been in the service OF the
company twenty-five years. viii re-
eeive $50 a month.
For years corporations have ex-
perimented with welfare work, an
nuities, profit sharing. and housing,
and have received little gratitude. In
many cases. perhaps, they deserved
little, for these enterprises were too
often but sops to keep the men from
fair living wages. But
the Standard Oil company's plan Ia
different. There is no charity" con-
nected with it. THESE dement's are
not rammed down the mems threats.
They are offered on a self-sustaining
basis, and the men are invited TO
work 1t out together"
II that is emblernatie Of the new
spirit" that is to dominate the field
of industry after the war, It is one Of
the most hopeful signs on the horizon
for a brighter day for mankind. It
isn't the Millennium 1t isn't the
Paradise Of no work and plenty Of
money that the Russian revolution
fists bIindly hoped for and expected.
but ii is a plain. common sense at
tempt 90 solve the problems Of maxi
ms Ehe world e better place % 1.-Two