The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-03-21
(Adysfti'emen')
DEAR FOLKS:

oftenest at the Wilson &
Co. plant, Chicago. was
the day watchman. lie Ii the
Sentinel on Guard-and he Ia
an active, intelligent. happy
and proud Sentinel. Do you
know why7 III tell you.
Up TO three years ago, this
watchman looked upon him
self as a mere machine. lie
felt that he occupied a menial
position because he was treat
ed as u mcnial. Nobody ap-
parcntly thought him worth
while. Every day was the
same to him. Nothing hap
pened between sunrise and
sunset to relieve the monotony
of his life. lie was dis
couragcd as most workers are
who do not get kind words or
attention.
But n new hold on life came 10
him three years ago this
month and II was all brought
about through a little act OF
kindness. My, how small
courtesy changes things for
all Of us! II dispels clouds
and floods our pathway with
sunlight. Let me tell you
what the watchman told me.
"The day that Mr.. Wilson
came here to take charge of
the business which had been
given his name, what do you
suppose was the first thing he
did, Why, he came to my
shanty, shook hands with me
and said, John. | want you
to know that ] think you are
holding a very important posi-
ton. | look TO you to watch
things very carefully. So
much depends on you. II you
will put your heart in your
work and help me oil you can
| will be very grateful. From
now on you are going to be q
right arm to this business. /
need your help to make it n
success. I hope we will be
good friends. What do you
say?' And. OF course, | said.
I'll help and ] thank you so
much for thinking that | can
help you.' From that time on
| have been very happy. |
am very proud Of the position
I hold. Mr.. Wilson always
speaks to me and shows that
he likes me. | am just tn,
average human being and
when . man respects me and
treats me right. Il makes an
awful lot Of difference in my
viewpoint Of life. l feel that
I am now a real man doing
work that is necessary and
helpful"
John and ! got along fine to-
gether during my daily visits
to Wilson 4 Company plant
covering q period Of five
weeks. We had many a
chummy chat. He intro
duced me to many Of the
workers, all Of whom respect
him. He dresses in a blue
uniform and stands guard
with as much pride as the
Commander Of a u. s. War
ship stands on the bridge OF
his ship. This is the sort of
spirit that makes a business
prosper.
Another worket-this one young
woman - told me that the courtesy
shown the wa,chman by Mr.. Wilson
wa. witnessed by hundreds OF work.
er, who we're standing at the win
dow, Of the big office building watch
ing for his coming. She said; Il
can't describe 10 you the wave ot
satisfaction that Immediately struck
us all. Instantly the word went all
through the plant that Mr.. Wilson's
first act was to visit the ws,chman,
and the cry went up in all depart
men,s "A real man has come TO lead
US; now we can put heart in our
work; now we are sure OF apprecia'
ton; now we know we will get 4
square deal You have no idea what
a change was brought about a, once.
We went TO our work with lighter
hearts than we had ever had We
went to Our work with the feeling
,ha, we must do II well from then
on and we have been doing i, well
ever since. Mr.. Wilson visited all
Of us later on and le, us know in his
kindly way tina, he wanted Us to
help him and that he would appre.
cia,e II very much il we gave him
our loyalty and enthusiasm. II wa,
new to Us 10 be talked to In this
friendly way. You can imagine how