Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-16
STONE GIVES FINE
talk TO MEMBERS
GARDINER ROTARY

Speaking In his capacity as en-
ployment manager of the r. p. Haz-
gard Manufacturing Co.. Ralph Stone
told the members OF the Gardiner
Rotary Club of his duties at their
regular meeting at the Johnson
House. Wednesday noon. There are
$50 persons employed in the Card
liner factory and $50 in the Belfast
plant, and it Is Mr.. stones duty not
only to attend to the receiving OF
applications for work and the sup
plying of the different departments
with labor hut 1t also means that
he is in charge Of humane relations.
This is something that Is years ago
was practically unknown in indus
try, for at that time manufacturing
was done on a very much smaller
scale, and the employers and en-
ployees knew each others troubles
and joys. but with the growth OF
business this personal touch was
necessarily lost, and as result mis-
understanding arose, the workers
often became dissatisfied and shift
ed from job to job. The labor turn
over of a factory is one of the most
expensive items. Humane Relations,
declared Mr.. Stone, is anything
which improves the conditions for
employees, makes them contented,
happy and healthy and creates bet
ter understanding between employ
err and employee.
He referred to the value Of the
First Aid room in the.Gardiner fac
tory as an illustration. This was
started in January, 1920, when the
room was established with complete
equipment, a part time doctor and
a full time nurse. Here employees
of the factory are treated free OF
charge. and in time saved by work
ers being able to keep at work af-
ter preventing colds and minor sick
ness has more than repaid its cost.
Mr. Stone estimated that 1t had pro-
vided for 80 to 40 calls a day, or
5000 a year
Group insurance was another item
upon which he touched, informing
the Rotarians that it was used in
the factory, the worker paying a
portion of the premiums assessed
and the company the remainder. A
number of claims have already been
satisfactorily adjusted. Mr.. Stone
said that the company had always
AA4oNO al SiLoit " doSiSI IT'S GAuplOy
ees to own their own homes. and in
previous years had made this cas-
Ter, by building the home, and al
lowing the worker to make regular
payments until it became his own
property. Until recently this had
worked out very well. but Mr.. Stone
pointed out that with the valuation
and tax rate in Gardiner so high,
that it was not practical at this time
He suggested that the city make
some provision for thesbuilder. of the
small home. so that it might be cas-
Ter the first few years after he had
built his home and started paying
for ii.
The r. p. Hazard Co. factory has
established a lunch room system
which is working out satisfactorily.
The actual necessities. such as milk,
and sandwiches are sold at actual
cost while nominal profit is made
upon the Injuries. such as ice cream
and soft drinks. The lunch room is
not run to make money. but to pro :
vide the employees with good
lunch as cheaply as possible.
An interesting report Of his recent
visit to the New York Club was Civ
en- by Ira c. Hubbard. Maurice Ros.
was welcomed TO the Club as a new
member The visitors present were
Charles Downing of Augusta. and
Paul Bridges of Newburg. \. Y.