The New York herald., 1921-12-25
GOLDEN RULE BRINGS
GOLD TO Big PLANT
Directors Try to Conduct
Birmingham Iron Works
as Christ Would.
WORKERS ALL SATISFIED
Year Round Jobs, No Layoffs
or Short Time, No Cuts in
Pay Is Policy.

Special Dispatch to THE NEW Yonx HERALD
BIRMINGHAM. Ala, Dec. 24.-Direct-
ors of the American Cast Iron Pipe
Company OF Birmingham were in an
nual session. Routine business had been
disposed OF and the time for the elec-
tion OF officers had come. A member
arose and proposed the name of John J.
Eagan. prominent in business, pliilan-
thropy, and In reform projects in the
South. Born with the silver spoon in
his mouth he had increased his fortune
by wise investments and sage business
deals. and had become known as a
leader In all movements for the better
ment OF his fellowman.
Mr.. Eagan was unanimously elected
president of this great concern, one of
the largest and the most prosperous in
the south, and one marked by the good
will evident always between employer
and employee.
Then another member took the floor
to propose that from this time on II be
formally made platform OF the COM
pany that employer and employee:
DO unto others as you would have
them do unto you. Follow In the foot
steps of Christ
Motion Unanimously Adopted.
| There was mild surprise only ex-
pressed as the motion was seconded.
There were no questions as to its wis
dom. There was only the motion to
adopt made and the second. The vote
| in its favor was unanimous. And when
this most unusual action Of the company
directors became known. II seemed to
embarrass the new president that he
was called upon to explain and almost
| defend the new standard of action.
II don't see why anybody should feel
that it is unusual, this action OF ours"
he said, land I really don't like to talk
about it. The directors didn't care to
have this platform advertised. 1t didn't
mean anything to them. because that is
what we have been doing in reality all
the time. All the platform meant was
a mere formality.
IT wouldn't even talk about it If It
were not for the fact that it is possible
other business concerns may read about
u and may think il worth while trying.
. SIS for that reason more than anything
else that / am willing to discuss the
matter with TIE NEW YORK HERALD.
Otherwise It would mean nothing. for
We have already gained the benefit of
our plan. And advertisement really
cannot help u.s.
TIE NEW YORK HERALD reporter
wanted to know if the Lord had helped
the company after it's decision to let
Christ be the guiding spirit Of the con-
Germ.
Sees BENEFITS to Company.
Mr.. Eagan was positive on this point
He asserted his belief that IL was largely
due TO the favor in which the Lord held
| this plan of cooperation that the conn
pany had prospered during what had
proved a hard and difficult year for
other concerns.
lie stated Il as his belief that one of
the things most necessary in a concern
run after the manner of the teachings
of Jesus Christ is that every employee
get continuous employment even IL the
employer managed to make no profit.
Not that Mr.. Iagan is doubtful over
! that point. lie is really and honestly
! convinced that Christ win help those
! who aid others and that in the last
analysis the spirit of Jesus is predom-
inant in all me. lie believes that all VINO
are fair and square in business deal
! ings-and that is all he believes Christ
would ask-will in the long run win
over trickery. He believes in honesty.
! He believes that employees, IL they
receive a square ana honest deal. if
treated like human lr4ngs and not like
! chattels. if paid wages as high as their
value and company PROFITS will allow.
I and If met man TO man by the en-
ployer, viii give the same sort OF
deal. He believes this is the real and
true solution of the labor-captal prob
I lena square deal. In the long run he
! is of the opinion that the employee is
/ honest, can be appealed to through rea-
, son, doesn't want to get all the profits,
and that through Christian dealing COM
/ mon sense and an appeal to reason
! labor and capital may work side by side
/ with profit TO each.
/ II Christ Conducted Plant.
Mr.. Eagan pointed out two of tho
/ dominant ideas Of the program Of the
teachings of Christ. as he understands
/ them One is that II Christ were 10
| run a plant he would:
Give every man and woman q year
I round job; no layoffs; no short
| time; no reductions In pay at any
! time.
Give every man living wa ge. one
| that would make him and his wife
! and children comfortable at least.
! And this has been strictly followed in
the Birmingham plant. All the year
round The employees have worked full
time and have earned It. and all the
year round the plant has paid more
/ IMAM the SlaUudTQ scale. III Otner
words. il has become a badge OF dis
tinction in Birmingham 20 have IL
known that YOU work for the plant.
The company has provided the en-
ployees with o big Y. NJ. G. A. building.
which has become a center Of all their
social activities. And Il has grown to
mean more than that. Now it has a
staff OF dentists. physicians. nurses and
ali kinds OF experts.
II has been the aim Of the company
from the beginning 20 take care. in so
fs' as is possible. of the social. physical
and economic welfare OF all its em-
ployces and to bring about healthful
spirit OF cooperation and good will.
The company has believed chat. with
such condition existing. strikes and
other labor troubles win be obviated and
that business production will not be in
terrupted. In the furtherance OF this
plan the company led the way in the
formation Of mutual benefit association
80 care for employees when sick or dig
abled and 10 arrange for the payment
OF their hospital bills. Also arrange
ments have been made for pension plan
taking care of those too old or disabled.
C. G. ROEBLTNG ESTATE
EXCEEDS $I5,OOO,OO