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This is found to be just now rather difficult, from the fact that a very large majority of the employes are foreigners of the non-English speaking races, who have as yet a very limited mental development. At present, measures are in operation which insures care being taken of all sick or injured employes. In the case of worthy and faithful workmen who are sick, half or even full time is allowed during sickness or disability until such time as they are able to pursue their regular work. The company is now considering the details of a plan through which with a small assessment upon each workman on pay day, supplemented by contributions from the company, sick and death benefits may be provided for all employes through a regular system.

Tide-Water Oil Company, Bayonne, N. J.

Producers of Illuminating Oil, Naphtha, and other By-products of Petroleum.

Employs 850 Males.

This corporation owns and manages an immense oil refining industry which is located on the water front of Bayonne city. The work is to a large extent of a laborious character, involving considerable liability to accident. The company is, therefore, a very large contributor to the support of the local city hospital. When a workman is injured in the discharge of his duty, the doctor's bills and all other expenses are paid by the company, and half pay is allowed until recovery.

The fixed policy of the company is to promote men from the ranks to the position of foremen and to other posts requiring skill. In making selections to fill places of this kind that become vacant, men who are known to have the drinking habit are not considered eligible. A premium is thus placed on temperance, industry and skill, which has a very happy influence on the conduct of the men. Sobriety is the rule among them, and a large number are regular depositors in savings banks and building loan societies.

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One hundred and two (102) workmen, or twelve per cent. of the total number employed, own their homes, and have paid for them out of the savings from their wages.

What is known as a "lunch club" is run in connection with the works. The company furnishes room, utensils, fuel, cook and waiters. The members of the club pay for provisions, wear and tear of linen, etc. The club membership is open to all employes; up to the present time fifty (50) men have availed themselves of the privileges offered.

The Ulster Iron Works, Dover, N. J.

Manufacturers of Steam Boilers.
Employs 67 Males.

The employes of this company have voluntarily organized a benefit association of which all employes are members. The object of the society is to furnish a weekly benefit to those of the members who may be sick, and therefore unable to support themselves or their families. All employes of good moral character are eligible to membership, unless at the time of entering the company's employment they should be in conspicuously ill health. In that case they are not admitted.

The entrance fee is one dollar, and the monthly dues are fifty cents. The sick benefit is five dollars ($5.00) per week, payment of which does not begin until two weeks after the commencement of the attack of sickness. No benefits are paid if the sickness is the result of intemperance or of immoral conduct. Full benefit is paid for six months if the disability continues that long, after that time the sick benefit is reduced to two and one-half dollars ($2.50) per week.

The Valentine & Bentley Silk Company, Newton, N. J.

Manufacturers of Broad Silk Goods.

Employs 136 Males and 144 Females.

This company established a system of profit-sharing with employes on January 1st, 1902, the heads of departments only being admitted. A year later, on January 1st, 1903, the privilege was given to all employes, to purchase on easy terms, the company's gold bonds, bearing interest at the rate of five per cent. per annum; in addition to the five per cent. interest, a bonus is given to the holders of these bonds from a fund set apart for that purpose from the profits; this is placed to their accounts, and at the end of five years handed to them in cash.

Victor Talking Machine Company, Camden, N. J.

Manufacturers of Phonographs.

Employs 500 Males and 100 Females.

The workmen of this company have a sick-benefit association organized by themselves and managed entirely by officers of their own selection. In the matter of organizing and other steps necessary to put the society in working condition, the company extended all assistance, financial and otherwise, that was required. The society is known officially as the Victor Employes Relief Association, and its membership (April, 1904) numbered one hundred and eighty-five (185). The dues are thirty-five (35) cents monthly, and a sick benefit of five dollars ($5) per week is paid for thirteen (13) weeks. A burial fund is a feature of the society, from which the sum of seventy-five dollars ($75) is paid on the death of a member, and fifty dollars. ($50) on the death of a member's wife.

The sick-benefit association was organized on February 21st, 1903, and is therefore by this time (April, 1904) but little more than thirteen months old, yet during the com

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