The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-13
STANDARD OIL MEN
RAISED 100000
First Year of. New Industrial
Relationship System Pleascs
Company Too.
CELEBRATED AT DINNER
President Teagle Says Law of
Supply and Demand Has
Ceased to Control.

The golden age OF industry seems TO
have arrived within the Standard OIL
Company Of New Jersey. Judging by re-
ports given last night at the second an
nual joint conference and dinner OF the
elected representatives of the employees
OF the New Jersey refineries and the direc-
tors Of the company, held in the Robert
Treat Hotel, Newark. Among the speak
ers were A. C. Bedford. chairman of the
directors. who presided, and Walter c.
Teaele. the cofnpanys president.
A year ago the company put into ef-
feet its Industrial relationship plan.
whereby the employees have voice In
the fixing of wages. hours and other con-
ditions. The results OF the year were
discussed last night. Minutes OF eighty
conferences between the management
and the workers at f1ve refiheres showed
that 119 matters had been discussed and
amicably settled. OF these 3S per cent
had to do with wages, 10 per cent. with
working conditions, 3 per cent. with pro-
motions and discharges. s5 per cent.
with hours, and per cent. with methods
OF wage payments,
Wage decisions, in which the employ
ees participated. increased the annual
payroll by s5,000,000. In tho course OF
the year thirty-nlne employees were re-
tired on annuties averaging $50
month. Under the group insurance plan
9,251 employees we're insured for total
sum of s9,lSs, 900 without cost to them
selves. OF this group 146 have died and
their dependents have received $l59.s53,
or an average OF 81 ,096 for each death
About 80 per cent. OF these employees
had no other insurance, and not per
cent OF them other insurance amounting
to more than $1,000
II was also reported that the company
had taken back 1,s16 men who were In
military or naval service, while retaining
on the payroll those who filled the gap
during the war The soldiers are taken
back without having to pass the regular
physical examination, and the time they
have been in the national uniform 10
added to their company service record.
this increasing the benefits and annu-
tiles they will eventually receive.
PuxxIins Problems Settled.
THE year Just closed has been one IN
which American industry has faced
many puzzling problems. Speaking to-
night for the management" said Mr.
Bedford, II desire to express our belief
that the plan of industrial representation
has been OF inestimable value In that II
/ has given the workers real voice in the
settlement OF these puzzling problems sc
/ far as they have arisen In our business
I ! wish to express our deep appreciation
of tho faithful, unselfish and helpful ser.
/ vice that has been rendered by the en-
ployees representatives, and also Of the
/ loval manner in which the employees as
a body have accepted and lived up to thf
decisions arrived at in our own joint
/ conferences"
Mr.. Teogle said he had come to the
conclusion that the law of supply and
demand was Anticipated and that thu
controlling factor to-day is the produc'
tivity of labor. Noting that the number
OF employees In the three New Jersey
refneries had increased from 1856 tc
| 10.246 in the year he eaid:
This, in my opinion. is the best an
swer to those who prophesied a
| commercial collapse and widespread un'
| employment after the war. Those wis
! have been in military service are return
| Ing rapidly in large numbers to theil
! former occupations with practically II,
| disturbance To those employed as thell
substitutes IN the war period
Mr.. Teagle continued
! IL Is perhaps a record IN the lnuuStrla
! history OF this country that the various
wage increases and adjustments made
! during the last year have all been settled
| in joint conferences between the ON
ployees and the management and in con-
| formity with the announced policy of the
company OF paying at least the scale ot
wages prevailing in the localities in
which its plants are situated.
All Ref,uerIes in Pact
THE Joint agreement adopted a year
ago has been ratified by representatives
Of all the refine ries. and as long as Il
continues to he In the interests OF all par
ties to the agreement will be the basis
I OF the company's labor policy. There has
been, am glad 10 say, no reservation or
either side and in all discussions com
mon ground OF advantage has invariably
| been found.
THE true note IL mutual advantag.