American Brake-Shoe and Foundry Company, Mahwah, N. J. Manufacturers of Brake-Shoes, Iron and Steel Castings. This company provides a lunch-room and bath at its works for the benefit of employes. The lunch-room is well lighted, furnished comfortably, and large enough to accommodate those of the workmen who choose to use the facilities which it offers. The bath-room is accessible to all, and may be used during working hours by employes for a reasonable length of time. A contribution of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) per year is paid to the local hospital for a bed, to be occupied by employes who are injured at work or who may become sick during working hours. Provision is also made for placing stock of the company within reach of worthy and industrious employes who may desire to become possessed of it, and whose records entitle them to that consideration. The allotment of stock to employes is not made on any general or uniform plan, each case being considered and disposed of on its own merits. The prevailing practice, however, is to allow the dividends to be applied in payment of stock. The influence which these opportunities have on the general conduct of employes in the matter of sobriety and steadiness at work is unqualifiedly good; all appear to appreciate what is sought to be done for them, and in return have, without exception, always shown perfect loyalty to the company's interests. American Engine Company, Bound Brook, N. J. Builders of Steam Engines and Electrical Machinery. This corporation is a comparatively new one, and has only recently gotten upon a paying basis. The means for providing the comforts with which it would like to surround its workmen has not, therefore, been sufficient for that purpose. The best that circumstances has permitted being done up to the present time is the establishment of a premium system in connection with work, which permits the operatives to very materially increase their earnings. American Swiss File and Tool Company, Elizabeth, N. J. Manufacturers of Files. Employs 48 Males and 4 Females. Has a limited form of profit-sharing, which consists of allotting company stock to energetic and intelligent employes. The stock is given fully paid up, and a part of the profits of the business are set aside to pay for it. The company does all in its power to encourage its employes to become members of building and loan associations, and the workmen generally show a disposition to follow the advice given them in this respect. The company also contributes liberally to the maintenance of the local hospitals, to which employes have the right of admission and treatment free of charge. The families of deserving men are looked after in cases of sickness, and in many instances half the ordinary wages of workmen suffering through a long period of sickness has been paid to their families. In such cases the money paid has been regarded as an advance in anticipation of future earnings, and a small percentage of the wages which accrue after recovery is deducted until the money is returned. This course is followed in accordance with the known and expressed wishes of employes who have been so assisted. They seem to feel that self-respect requires that they should not be under an obligation which they have the ability to repay. The company looks sympathetically on the idea of sharing profits, and would adopt it if only a proper system could be devised for carrying out such plans. Pending the time when this may be done, and also as a fixed matter of policy, the firm encourages thrift, steadiness, regular contributions to building loan societies, and all other habits and practices that make men thrifty and prudent. Where the company finds a really valuable man, every endeavor is made to attach him permanently to the business by increasing his salary according to merit. Satisfactory general rules for profit-sharing the company believes to be impossible without complicating the relations between employers and employes. Dissatisfaction would be quite likely to result from the fact that distribution could not possibly be uniform, but would have to depend entirely on the judgment of the employers, in the justice of which the greater number of employes would probably not concur. The Arlington Company, Arlington, N. J. Manufacturers of Toilet Articles from Pyralin. This factory is situated in one of the finest and most healthful suburbs of the city of Newark, and the employes enjoy all the advantages of having homes outside of the confines of a large city. The factory buildings are constructed on plans which provide the most nearly perfect sanitation and ventilation. The company has recently fitted up two large dining-halls at the works, one for male and one for female employes, where they can eat lunchies and procure hot dishes of various kinds, with coffee, tea, etc., at actual cost. A reading-room for employes has also been provided, which is well stocked with the magazines and other current periodicals. The company takes a deep interest in its employes, both collectively and individually, and stands ready to help them, when necessary, in every practicable way. The employes appreciate their advantages, are contented with their surroundings, and perform their duties without friction of any kind between themselves and their employers. Ayers Machine Company, Salem, N. J. Manufacturers of Presses, Dies, etc. This company has provided a wash-room with concrete floor, hot and cold water and other facilities for washing, and have also provided for each employe separate lockers, which are in the wash-room and all arranged conveniently so that they may keep themselves and their belongings clean and in good order. William C. Baker, Hoboken, N. J. Manufacturer of Hot-Water, Non-Freezing Car Heaters. The factory of this firm is not large enough to afford space for such features as library, lunch-room, or bathroom, although these advantages are appreciated by the management and will be installed when the growth of business warrants their adoption. The employes are, however, treated with all possible fairness and even indulgence. One rather unusual but very |