The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-07-12

about Lawrence. You will be gfatl-
f,ed IN learn how many children OF
mill workers have won their way 10
the ppbfessional ranks, have become
lawyers, dentists, clergymen and phy-
sicians.
"Music is a great aid to American
nation. The moving picture theatre
people tell us musical acts OF all kinds
go big in Lawrence. Dealers in
monograph records. sell their better
class of records to the mill workers.
teachers of music, both vocal and in
strumental, find ready pupils among
the children of the foreign-born
workers.
Generally speaking, and | was a
school teacher for several years be-
fore entering this social work, think
the Lawrence mill workers are hap
py, contented and fortunate class OF
working people.
1.-The mill arrangements are doing
wonderful things for their workers.
Naturally in a prosperous, booming
city like Lawrence, with its 35,OOo
mill operatives handling hundreds OF
thousands of dollars weekly, there
are people engaged in business who
try to get their share of profits from
the good times prosperity.
Rents are higher in Lawrence In
privately owned dwellings than in
Boston. The same congestion in
dwellings that prevails all over the
country is evident there. This is
heightened undoubtedly because there
are but seven square miles within the
city limits. And a drive about the
city will show few vacant lots.
The American Wooden Company has
met this congestion by building
model village for its employees at
and Andover. There rents are rea-
sonable and living conditions prob
ably higher and more generally en-
joyed than in ahy similar community
in the country.
II rents are high, the cost of liv-
ing in Lawrence is lowered by costs
of food. list of prices taken from
any of the Lawrence daily newspaper
advertisements show meats several
cents a pound lower than in Boston
and it's suburbs.
ing dealers will tell you they deal with
customers who naturally know cloth
and demand values. And they get it.
Yet the mill workers. according to
the dealers, are more ready to pay
the prices asked without quibbling
than some of the other classes of Gus
toners.
No investigation of Lawrence mill
workers would be complete without
embracing a survey of the wonderful
work being done for the mill workers
by the welfare department of the
American Wooden Company under the
direction of its able chairman, lgna-
thus McNulty.
known as the Department Of Labor.
it furnishes the connecting link be-
tween the employees of the American
Wooden Company and its officials. It's
activities bind both together in the
realization that their interests are
mutual in the conduct of the business.
Under the leadership of that far
seeing, humane and exceptionally
brilliant business man, William M.
Wood, the president of the company,
the work of the department approx
mates the nearest approach to ideal
relations between employer and en-
ployee that can be found in the coun-
try.
II William NJ Wood never left any
thing else but beautiful Shawsheen
Village as his monument, his fame
to posterity is secure.
It Is in the neighborly care taken
of the workers, that the Department
Of Labor of the American Wooden
Company shines In years past alb
sentee stockholders were likely to
care too much for dividends, too little
for the worker.
This has been revolutionized under
this excellent welfare department.
The Humane Thing" as the workers
have come to be known, is the mater
ial on which this department works.
Nothing that can be reasonably done
to improve the Human Things" liv-
ing and working conditions Is omitted.
There are service buildings provid-
ed by the company, group insurance
at no expense to the workers; Nation
al Group clubs for discussion of mat
company; the Employees Advisory
Committee establishing closer rela-
tons between the workers and the
company.
Then there are classes for study,
classes for foremen where they are
taught the proper way to handle their
workers; classes in English and citi-
zenship; classes for men and boys to
study subjects which will increase
their earning capacity; for women
and girls which increase their earn
ing power or further their domestic
value.
system of clubs for women, boys
and ex-service meir furnishes high
form of entertainment in splendidly
equipped quarters during noon hours
and in the evenings.
An American Wooden Company
band gives weekly noon-hour concerts
at each of the scompany's mills. At
many of these concerts, the girls cho-
rus, formed of girl mill workers, was
a most enjoyable part of the concert.
To further establish points of con-
tact between the Company and its
employees, the Department of Labor