Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-20
SEM|-MONTHLY
WAGE IS OPPOSED
Official Of du Pont Co. Points Out
Disadvantage to Employees
and Employers of Sug-
gested Legislation.

Charles Copeland, assistant treasurer
of the du Pont CO.. who appeared before
legislative committee last week in oppo-
sition to the semi-monthly wage bill, IN
speaking of the bill today, discussed the
subject from the practical standpoint OF
man who has been in charge OF the COM
pany's payroll for IL years. As a matter
of fact, a great deal of opposition has been
found to the bill.
"This experience" Mr.. Copeland said
today "leads me TO believe that monthly
payments by checks drawn to the in
dividuals order are more satisfactory
From the employees standpoint, they
require no separate receipts, and insure
greater amount of secrecy, as to the re-
cipient's wage. They are easier and safer
to deposit, either personally, by messenger
or by mail. If lost or mislaid payment on
them can be readily stopped and new
checks issued; whereas, cash, if lost or
stolen, cannot be replaced. If employees
are travelling, or change their address,
their checks can be forwarded to them.
This is particularly true of du Pont en-
ployes in certain departments, who are
likely to be out of town on pay days.
They are more in keeping with the dignity
of official positions. They save the time OF
a busy man to whom the personal hand
ling of cash or semi-monthly checks would
be burdensome.
From the company's standpoint, they
give a better record. They involve less
expense in handling and delivery. They
permit the ready correction of errors, due
TO delayed advice as to rates, transfers
and discontinuances.
Delaware employees transferred out of
Al 4 Ie u nt
wise, receive part of their salaries IN cash
and part by check, involving annoyance
and risk. They can be prepared or paid
without the expense OF insurance or
guards.
''Semi-monthly salary payments, wheth-
er bv cash or check, would greatly increase
the cost and difficulties of the salary de-
partment The salaried employees IN the
State of Delaware, comprise more than
one-thrd of the salaried employees of the
company. To pay these people twice as
often would require a large increase IN the
paying force and an actual loss TO the
company OF the added amount involved.
Owing to the changes in position and per
sonnel unavoidable in large concern and
covering a large portion Of the country, 1T
would be almost impossible to report these
in time for semi-monthly payment. In
fact, it frequently happens thai the pre-
sent monthly period is insufficient.
"Under our present system, large
number of salary checks are deposited
mopthly in banks designated by the en-
ployes No possible advantage could be
gained by making such deposits semi
monthly or in cash. In cases of urgent need
advances of salary, upon the proper de-
partmental approval, are made TO en-
ployes, answering the objection that needy
individuals suffer hardship under the
monthly payment system.
Payments, either in cash or by check
semi-monthlY, are not conducive "a
thrift. Money in the pocket is apt to be
spent rather than saved and the smaller
the check, the less it is likely TO be de-
posted and portion of it saved. The
payment of pay roll wages is a separate
matter, which should not be governed by
legislative rules, being subject 10 condi-
tions prevailing in the community. In
some cases, payments by check are pref.
erable as offering greater security from
theft both to the employe and to th,
company: in other cases, cash is more de
sirable. The du Pont Co. has made specia
arrangements for the cashing of salar,
checks on pay day to accommodate its
employees.