Document g23jDG58qd2MYrRkbJwgrV6BG

FILE NAME: Insurance Industry (INS) DATE: 1916 DOC#: INS041 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Trade Journal Article from 'The Modern Hospital1Prudential Life Insurance Company F. 5 ject of safety has been presented a t the various meetings by a representative of the American Museum of. Safety. Plain talks on personal efficiency have been given by a representative of the Y. M. C. A. efficiency course. No door of opportunity has been left unopened through which it has been possible to bring to the employee of the Interborough the practical advantages which the Young Men's Christian Association affords. Each year an open invitation is given for any man having a personal problem which he would like to talk over with an older business or professional man to come to the Y. M. C. A. for this interview. Cards are printed explaining this opportunity, and any man can make an appointment by simply signing his name and address and sending his card to the associa tion office. In this way many men have been helped in practical ways, men whom without the private interview plan it would have been impossible to help. Each year a large entertainment has been held a t the Y. M. C. A. building, to which all those interested in the shop meet ings have been invited to bring their families. The pro gram at these annual entertainments has been furnished partly by the Young Men's Christian Association and partly by the men of the various shops. The subway band held a leading place on the program of one recent enter tainment. The meeting in each shop and recreation room is in ac tive charge of a committee composed of Interborough em ployees, who are interested in its success. These commit tees advise with the Y. M. C. A. director regarding music requested and subjects for speeches. Twice each year these committees meet with the director a t the West Side Y. M. C. A. in order to discuss plans for the improvement of the meetings. For the building of character and men, these noon meetings are expressly designed. Subway Band.--The company has a band of 100 em ployees known as the subway band, properly uniformed and equipped, which plays at various special and other functions of the employees, and has grown into one of the best musical organizations of the city of New York. While its uses are generally restricted to company affairs, it occasionally participates in patriotic and civic functions, frequently furnishing the musical service a t Sunday night church concerts, on which occasions employees generally attend, and for the last three years has acted as escort to the Grand Army to and from their annual church service. The general object sought in the formation of the band was to place at the disposal of such of our employees as are musically inclined means for further study and prac tice of music, as well as to inspire loyalty and patriotism. Every man connected with the band is taught discipline, and every member is on his honor to carry this discipline study into his every-day life and work, to be courteous to passengers, and to preach the subject of good service to the traveling public and to every other subway employee for whose general benefit the band was created. The com pany has provided the band with meeting and rehearsal rooms, and, as those rooms are located at one of the im portant terminals of the company, employees are in the habit of gathering there on rehearsal nights to enjoy the music. Athletics, Outings, and Other Social A ffairs--The company has devoted some of its real estate holdings to playgrounds for employees for baseball, football, tennis, etc., with a grandstand for the use of themselves and friends. These grounds are always in great demand dur ing the different seasons. The company has been instru mental in forming a baseball league, with clubs represent ing the various departments of the service, and between which there is the keenest rivalry. The officials of the company personally contribute each year a league cham pionship baseball pennant, which is awarded the winning club, and gold medals, suitably inscribed, for the indi viduals of the champion team, giving at the end of the season a dinner to members of the entire league. During the different seasons officials of the company encourage employees to arrange picnics, balls, clam bakes, minstrel shows, and other functions of a social nature. During the winter months each department holds its an nual ball, as well as its annual dinner, in which affairs all officers of the company participate financially and socially. During the summer months various departments give out ings and clam bakes, usually chartering the subway band and a boat for a sail to some of the various nearby picnic resorts. The object of these social gatherings is to cultivate a closer social relationship and a greater feeling of com munity of interest between the employees themselves, as well as between officials and employees, to the end that all may become impressed with the idea that officials and em ployees have but one interest a t stake, and both are striv ing for one common purpose--namely, the general welfare of all. . I nterborough B ulletin.--The company publishes monthly and circulates among its employees an illustrated newspaper containing articles of personal and educational interest, and its columns are a t all times open to the ex pressions of employees. In addition to articles of a tech nical nature relating to traction operation, and articles of a personal nature relating to employees and their fam ilies, the paper is also used as a medium for keeping em ployees informed on rules and regulations of the company and its general operating policy. F ree Transportation.--Effective December 1, 1913, the company presented to the wife of every employee who had been in the service one month or more a pass good for free transportation over the system in which the husband is employed. Summer U niforms.--The company has adopted the policy of furnishing free to all employees of the transpor tation department of the subway white duck uniforms, which are laundered and maintained without cost to the employees, thereby promoting the comfort of those whose employment keeps them on the underground system dur ing the summer months. Christmas Remembrances.--In recognition of the co operation of employees, the directors of the company the past two years set aside a sum of money from which each employee receiving $115 per month or less, and who has been in the service for one year or more, hall receive a Christmas present of $5 in gold. Prudential Life Insurance Company BY CHARLES W . CRANKSHAW , M. D., Physician in charge of infirmary, Prudential Insurance Company, N ew ark, N. J. The practice of hygiene and sanitation in business has increased considerably during the past few years, and the solution of hygiene problems in the laboratory has con tributed in no little way to the means now used for the protection of those employed in or about the shop, factory, or office of great or small industrial establishments. The social service worker is helping to solve some of these problems, and greater service can be rendered if a visiting nurse is employed to visjt employees at their homes or in the hospital when they are sick or injured. The social service department of the Massachusetts Gen- eral Hospital serves as a striking example of what we the air is washed and pumped into the rooms; others have mean by real social service work, and is rendering excel a ventilator connected with each window that can be lent service, counting mightily for efficiency. In this way opened and shut at will, and these are connected with the prevention and not cure plays the title role. radiator system, so that in winter the air can be warmed Preventive medicine is of great value commercially, and as it comes into the room. Electric fans are installed this is true conservation of time, money, and physical and throughout the buildings, and these, in connection with mental energy. In industry all education must be turned to practical account Many of the large and small indus trial establishments look after the health and welfare of ventilating apparatus installed and the fact that the buildings are well supplied with windows, insure to the employees an abundant supply of fresh .air. The air in their employees. As to hygiene provisions of a great life each department is sure to be swept clean at intervals insurance company like the Prudential, where about 4,000 throughout the day, as it is the djity of several men to ? It ' employees a t the home office are busily engaged in the con continually go about opening and closing, the windows duct of the business, it is quite essential, in order to get the of the different departments for an interval of a few min highest efficiency, th at everything possible be done to safe utes. There may be isolated parts of the,building where it guard the health and conserve the lives of those employed may be necessary to pump in air, and in.one or two such in the four large buildings, comprising the group known places a ventilating system has been installed at some ex as the Prudential home office. pense, but, when it comes down strictly to good ventila 3 andThweeglfraeraeteosft atthteenmtioonst, twheonn,deshrfouulldmbeechgaivneisnmtoetvheer ccarree toiuotns,idiet icsanmybeopsienciuornedthtahtroaunghabtuhnedaonptenseudppwlyinfdroowms, thaes ated--the human body. Some of us try to exercise great the old-fashioned idea of opening the windows cannot be care as to the hygiene of our bodies, while others, who excelled by any system of washed air, and afterwards, think they know better, persist in doing things to the det ,*H 1 rim ent of the mechanism, and it is little wonder that their physical and mental powers become impaired and ineffi cient long before they should. Nature is patient and long suffering, but she requires a final adjustment of her ac 'i V count. To begin with, all applicants for clerical positions with *, . the Prudential are required to take mental tests and are subjected to a medical examination. Applicants for posi tions in the printing and bindery departments, culinary department, engine room, electricians, machinists, elevator men, porters, etc., are required to pass a medical examina tion before entering the service. In the culinary depart 'V ment, in addition to the examination on entering the serv ice, an examination is made every three months of all those handling the food, dishes, or linen. This includes every body from the steward and chef to the dishwashers. We pay special attention to diseases of the lungs, heart, `3:5. throat, skin, etc. We will refer to the problems of hygiene, safety, and C- welfare of the employees, worked out and put in operation by the Prudential at the home office, under the following Fig. 1. Prudential Life Insurance Company, New York. Reception room of infirmary. headings: pumping it into certain rooms or departments, unless such Ventilation. Lighting. Heating. Drinking water. Dust removal. Flies, etc. Rubbish disposal. Washing facilities a n d toilet arrangements. Soap. Towels. Lockers. Drying room for clothing. Umbrellas supplied. Telephone exchange. Culinary department. Kitchen. Serving room. Dishwashing room. Dining rooms. Garbage. Safeguarding machinery. First aid hospital or in firmary work. Graduate nurses for the infirmary and visit ing service. Cases referred to rest and recreation room for egg and milk. Disability, service retire ment, and sanatorium allowances. Office h o u r s , vacation, and special days. Rest and recreation. Concerts, etc. Field and athletic games. rooms are some distance from outside walls. In our ma chine shop and one or two parts of the building, where it is impossible to have a direct connection with the out side air, machines have been installed to pump in fresh air, thus insuring the workmen an abundant supply. As I said before, the problem of ventilation is continually be ing studied, and, wherever the system can be improved, this is being done. From our present kncfwledge we know room temperature should be kept as near 68 as possible and then the air to be kept in motion. Lighting.--The buildings are aft well equipped with windows, and there are very few parts of the buildings in which it is necessary for artificial light to be used throughout the day. Proper window shades are hung to each window, so that the light can be properly adjusted to the degree of sunlight outside. In case artificial light ha3 to be used, each desk is properly provided with an electric light, whiph is held up from an arm which can be swung to the right or left according to the position of the one s ittin g a t the desk. T h is li g h t c a n he low ered o r raised, as the case may be, and the electric bulb is prop erly screened with a suitable green shade. In addition, Ventilation.--Great attention is being given to the the la rg i blotters which are placed on each desk are of a m atter of ventilation, and in some parts of the building green color, and these serve to rest the eye to a great ex- tent. The indirect lighting system is being gradually in stalled throughout the buildings, and especial attention is given to the lighting of the filing department, vaults, etc. H e a t in g .--The buildings throughout are heated with steam, and some of the rooms have automatic adjusters to regulate the temperature. D r in k in g W a ter .--One of the most important things for the employer to consider is that of the drinking water supply, and, as we found from the reports received from the city laboratory that it was not safe to use the water from our driven wells for drinking purposes, this supply has not been used except for mechanical and toilet pur poses. We use the water which comes from the city mains. This is tested frequently by the city bacteriologist, and, as we are constantly in touch with the board of health chem ist or city bacteriologist, we are assured that the water used for drinking is safe. In fact, our bacteria content is lower than the supply direct from the city mains for the reason that we have a filtering plant, and the water passes through the filters and then through a cooling process be fore it enters the drinking fountains, which are installed throughout the buildings. A recent laboratory report where wholesome drinking water is supplied, and without much study an economist can see the financial value of this side of the question. REMOVAL OF D ust.--In regard to the removal of dust, absolutely no cleaning is done during office hours, and, as the vacuum service is installed throughout the buildings, the dust from the floors and rugs which is taken up in this manner is all centralized in one container in the basement of the building. A movable cleaner of this sort is now used for books, paper files, etc. The rubber coverings which are used in many of the corridors and aisleways for deadening the sound, and thus relieving unnecessary noise of those having to walk in, through, or to a department, have a sweeping compound distributed over their surface before they are swept. This is used on parts of the floor also. The use of the common duster is discouraged as fa r as possible, and this is used only where it is impossible to use other means of cleaning which would be practicable. When such dusting of necessity has to be done, the windows are thrown wide open and the electric fans started; no persons but the cleaners are about, and their exposure is slight, as the dust is quickly carried out the windows. F l ie s a n d I n s e c t s .--As to flies and insects of-any sort, we are especially interested in keeping these out of the in firmary and culinary departments, and by external vigi lance they are kept down in all parts of the buildings by keeping out rubbish and dirt. In the infirmary the screens are kept on' the windows throughout the year, and in th culinary department from April to December. R u b b is h D is po s a l .--Surgical dressings, wooden tongue depressors which have been used, and other material of like nature from the infirmary, are all subjected to incin eration. The basements of the buildings are kept entirely free from all rubbish, which is carted away each day, and the walls are thoroughly whitewashed throughout the cor ridors and rooms in the basement of the buildings. Some of the basement corridors are painted and the floors are concrete. Notices are posted forbidding spitting. L avatories.--As to washing facilities and toilet ar rangements, all the washrooms and toilets have marble floors and part of the side walls are marble. These are C- Fig. 2. Prudential L ife Insurance Company, New York. Rest room of in firm a ry . subjected to a thorough cleansing every day, and a t least once a vvecK to a uioiough scrubbing with an antiseptic solution containing soap. As we'do not advise the use of showed 25 bacteria per cubic centimeter before filtering water in the toilet rooms for drinking purposes, because and 10 bacteria per cubic centimeter after passing this water comes from our driven wells, proper notices to through our filters. Some of the samples after filtering this effect are posted, and also notices with reference to have been sterile. We have never had colon bacilli in any the continual flushing of the toilets. Once a week disin of the samples. The filters are used and cleansed alter fectant is used in each toilet basin throughout the build nately. High-pressure steam is used for cleansing when ings. Soap is provided for use in each toilet room. In necessary. Each employee has his own drinking glass, and some of the rooms liquid soap is used from a container. consequently the chances of infection with any contagious The roller towel has been replaced with individual towels disease by means of the secretions of the mouth or throat of linen or paper, according to the needs. Several years of others is very small. Water is so necessary for the vari ago the company supplied an individual drinking cup to ous activities of the organs of the body, aiding secretions each employee, and as employees enter the service they and excretions, food absorption and carrying away waste are given a similar cup. Such provision lessens the products, regulating body temperature, etc., that to en chances of skin infection or infection by the secretions of courage the drinking of sufficient water to help these the mouth, throat, or nose. A matron is constantly going various functions of the body, it is quite necessary that we about looking after sanitary matters in the women's toilets. know the quality of the water supply, and can assure tj^e These have been supplied with machines for sanitary employee that it may be used as often as is necessary for needs. Many of the toilet rooms are provided with an elec drinking purposes, with no fear of infection. It is a com tric fan. . fort to know that, as fa r as bacteria contait or colon. bacilli are concerned, the water is perfectly safe. In this way one can readily see th at fatigue poisons are dimin ished, and we attempt to prevent diseases th at may be caused by impure water or the use of the common drinking L o ck ers.--Each employee is supplied with a suitable locker which will hold th e n e c e ssa ry a rtic le s of overcloth ing, and they contain the proper arrangements for um brellas, overshoes, etc. The lockers we are installing now are metal. cup. It is easy to understand that efficiency is increased D r y in g R oom f o r C l o t h in g .-- A d r y i n g ro o m f o r .142 THE MODERN HOSPITAL clothes has been installed, so that on very inclement days liable reputation for having the latest devices for cleans the clerks need not run any risk of catching cold on ac ing and pasteurizing. This milk is examined bacterio count of getting wet. Rooms for rest will be at their dis logically at intervals in one of the largest scientific labora posal, and the clothes returned to them in a few minutes tories in New York city, and I endeavor to make frequent perfectly dry. If any condition is noted tending to impair inspections of this milk, which is classed as grade A pas their health as the result of exposure in coming to the teurized. We are assured that all of the cows are tuber office on such days, the clerk or employee is sent home at culin tested, and we feel perfectly safe that no disease can once. result from this milk. The meats, poultry, and all food U mbrellas.--Umbrellas are supplied to the female supplies to be served in the dining rooms are selected with clerks, if they apply for them, on rainy days. great care and put in proper refrigerators as soon as re T elephone E xchange.-- The young ladies who do this ceived. This is quite necessary when you think of the num work have, in addition to their noon lunch hour, an addi ber of people served in the dining rooms daily. tional twenty minutes' rest period both in the forenoon Safeguards, Machinery, E tc.--In the engine room, and afternoon. Their surroundings and comfort are be printing and bindery departments, and every place where ing constantly looked after, as their work is of such an ex machinery, electrical devices, etc., of any sort are used, acting nature and requires the eye and ear to be con they are all properly safeguarded. Either the protectors stantly on the alert. have been on the devices when purchased or attached to Culinary Department.--In the culinary department, certain parts of the machinery after they have been in which includes the kitchen, serving room, dishwashing stalled. In this way accidents have been reduced to a min room, and dining rooms, great care has been taken to in- imum. The gates of all the elevators have proper safe guards and devices for the levers which open and close the doors. For absolute safety, no elevator man is allowed to leave his car during the time he is on duty, except by proper arrangement with the starter. The door of the car is not allowed to be opened until the car is brought to a full stop, and the car is not allowed to start until the door is closed. The elevators have electric appliances which regulate the movements of the car, so that they cannot be started until the doors are closed. The window washers are all supplied with safety belts, and under no consideration are they allowed to wash or clean windows, etc., without using these appliances. The fire captain maintains fire drills, and the necessary appliances in case of fire are placed throughout the buildings. Through the real estate department, efficiency committee, etc., problems along these lines which come up from time to time are given thought, study, and consideration, and our records show th at the number of possible accidents have thereby been reduced. I nfirmary Work.-- All cases of sickness or accident are sent to the infirmary immediately. In order to facilitate this work, the company has recently set aside more room, and we now have one room for an infirmary and rest room for female employees, another for male employe^, and , another room which is used entirely for first aid, tne con sultation and examination o f ' employees, and dis/ibility cases. Another room is used for the doctor's office, jjhere the stenographer keeps disability and office records. The infirmary staff now consists of a physician and four grad uate registered nurses. One of these nurses has been on Fig. 3. Prudential Life Insurance Company, New York. Physician's office in iniirmary. duty a greater part of the time as a visiting nurse. In case of a very severe injury we arrange to have such cases stall the latest improved apparatus for washing all the taken immediately to the hospital to which the o'ne injured dishes and kitchen utensils. The floors and walls are kept may desire to go. In cases of sickness, if the ailment is scrupulously clean. All dusting necessary is done with such th at there is extreme suffering and it is plainly seen moist cloths, and the table linen receives the utmost care th at the patient is not going to get better speedily, he is and attention. The refrigerators are cleaned several times sent to his home, or, if he desires, arrangements are made daily, and kept scrupulously clean at all times. The win dows of the culinary department and dining rooms are all screened. In one dining room more than 1,200 em ployees can lunch at one sitting. The garbage from the kitchen and dining rooms is disposed of promptly every to take him to the hospital. Any case which has not re covered sufficiently to go home unaided is accompanied by some one from the office, and, if necessary, a private auto conveyance is arranged for, and in extreme necessity we have arranged that a private autoambulance is at his dis day. I t is not subjected to incineration, but is carted away daily, the cans properly cleaned as soon as they are emptied and afterward subjected to a high .pressure of steam. * Mil k and F ood Supply.--The milk and food supplied to the employees is a m atter which receives great atten tion. The milk is received from a dairy which has a re- posal and can be dispatched at short notice. Every atten tion, as fa r as possible, is given to the slightest detail for the comfort of those who are sick or sustain an injury, and the fact that their welfare is looked after so carefully along this line is greatly appreciated. Occasionally cases come before us where, for some reason, they are not able to assimilate their food, and other cases, which have com- _1_i ( / pletely convalesced after surgical operation or serious ill ness in their homes or at the hospital,, are strong enough and desirous of resuming duty, but have slight pallor. If they so desire, it is arranged that, on the order of the phy sician or nurse, they may go to the rest room at 10:30 in the forenoon and 2:30 in the afternoon for egg and milk, or milk alone, as they desire. One of the nurses is detailed to give personal attention to these cases daily, and by fre quent observations she can note the weight, general ap pearance, etc. The results in some of these cases are ex tremely gratifying. Some have gained as much as ten and twelve pounds in weight and the quality of their blood is better. There is the joy of feeling well, not being fatigued nearly so easily, and their efficiency has been greatly in creased thereby. In addition to the extra nourishment af forded, there is, of course, the additional rest, and the fatigue toxins do not get a chance to diminish the vitality of such cases. We can thus see that the infirmary is a clearing house for practically all cases of illness or injury, and acts in the same capacity in reference to quarantinable diseases. Since the disability plan has been in operation, such cases naturally are taken care of by this department. All employees in the office who have any infectious or con tagious diseases at home are to report same to the heads of their department immediately, and they are in turn re ferred to the infirmary, so that we can determine whether they should absent themselves from the office. In this way we are doing much to conserve the health and lives of those who are conducting the business at the home office. The visiting nurse carries good cheer and a kind word to those who are absent on account of disability. She is able to advise in many cases what is the best course of procedure so th at they will soon be restored to health, and in addi tion she is encouraged by the physician in charge to keep him in touch with any complications or data which will aid him in giving proper consideration to any given case. In our infirmary and disability work we have the most cor dial relations with the hospitals and sanatoriums, and also with the attending physicians, specialists, and dentists. In many cases the family physician asks us to cooperate with him in order to effect a cure. Where we find cases of incipient tuberculosis of the lungs, they are referred im mediately to their family physician, and in return we are asked to cooperate in any sanatorium or other treat ment which they decide on. Our experience in handling this class of cases has been very satisfactory, and today a number of cases which at one time were those of open or active tuberculosis have had the disease arrested and been restored to health, so th at they could safely return to duty. The following figures will give some idea of the work done during the last four years, showing the actual num ber of cases. The figures are considerably larger when the number of visits and treatments subsequently made are in cluded : Sickness cases .......................................... A ccidents on duty ................................. A ccidents off duty ................................... 1912 2,984 432 163 1913 3,946 291 334 1914 4,344 280 332 1915 4,396 275 426 Total cases trea ted ................................... 3,579 4,671 4,956 Cases referred to visiting nurse. . . . 390 V isits m ade by visiting n u r s e . . . . . . . 575 844 858 982 1,017 The grand total o f visits and treatm ents for 1915 was 10,627. 5,097 1,087 1,306 D isability, Service Retirem ent, and Sanatorium A l low ances.-- In case employees are disabled, they are paid according to th e ir len g th of service. No contribution is re quired from them, but their regular compensation is con tinued as usual on account of disability, according to the plan which was announced by President Dryden in De cember, 1913. As to service retirement, this is also a r ranged for according to age and length of service. Pam phlets have been printed giving the entire plan of the dis ability, service retirement, and sanatorium allowances in detail. The following data will give some idea as to the methods and results as worked out for the, approximately, 4,000 home office and 13,000 industrial field employees: ALLOWANCES DURING DISABILITY Home Office Employee For absences on account of disability not exceeding twelve days in the year, employees receive their regular compensation. For absences of six consecutive days or over, they receive the following allowances: Length of service Regular compen- in complete years sation paid 1 y ear............................................. 2 weeks 2 years........................................... 3 w eeks 3 years........................................... 4 w eeks 4 years........................................... 5 weeks 5 years........................................... 6 w eeks 10 years............................................ 11 weeks 16 years............................................16 w eeks 20 years............................................ 21 w eeks 25 years........................................... 26 w eeks 30 years........................................... 26 w eeks Disability allow* ance paid 2 months 3 months 4 months 5 months 7 months 18 months 29 months 40 months 50 months 56 months The disability allowance is at the rate of 35 percent of the regular compensation, but never less than '$20 nor more than $125 a month. The company, in addition to the service disability al lowance, will in its discretion, when desired, provide tuber culous employees who have been at least three years in the company's service, treatment at the nearest suitable sanatorium for a period not exceeding twenty-six weeks, and also pay traveling expenses to and from the sana torium. Industrial Field Employees During the first four weeks of disability, employees who have served more than one year receive their regular compensation, after which they receive the allowances shown in the following schedule : Length of service in D isa b ility complete allowances years paid 1 y ear............... ......... 2 m onths 2 y e a rs............. ......... 3 m onths 3 y e a rs............. ......... 4 m onths 4 years............. ......... 6 months 6 years............. ......... 7 months Length of service in D isab ility complete allowances years paid 10 y e a n ........... ........... 18 months 15 y e a rs........... ........... 29 m onths 20 y e a n ........... ........... 40 months 25 y e a n ........... ........... 50 months SO y e a rs............ ........... 56 months The rate of disability allowance is $40 per month to agency organizers and assistant superintendents and $30 to agents. Tuberculous employees who have been a t least five years in the company's service may, if they so prefer and with the company's approval, receive, in place of the service disability allowance, qualified treatment in the nearest suitable sanatorium. In the case of married tuberculous employees receiving sanatorium treatment, the company, in addition to the payment of the cost thereof, may pay to the wife or de pendent children of the same, or both, such portion of the service disability allowances otherwise payable to the em ployee as in the judgment of the company would be justi fied by the special circumstances of th e'case. SERVICE RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE After twenty-five years' service, employees of the home office and industrial field forces may retire on arriving at the age of 65 (age 60 for females). The retirement al lowance is at the rate of 1 percent for each year of service rendered, computed on the average annual earnings dur ing the last ten years of service. In no case, however, is the retirement allowance less than $30 nor more than $100 per month. The amount of retirement allowance paid is shown by the following schedule: 3ff'.s m 1zmsstKmt 144 THE MODERN HOSPITAL * MONTHLY RETIREMENT ALLOWANCES ON T H E BASIS OF AVERAGE AN N U A L EARNINGS FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS Length of service $600 25 years ........... ............$30.00 80 years ........... .......... an nn 85 years ........... ........... an aa 40 years ............ ........... an aa 45 years ........... ........ an Af> 60 years ........... .......... an no F SEBVICE $1,000 $O8A0.0AA0 30.00 4oO0 .4o0o 0oAIni.OeUn 41,0 i $1,500 $31,25 37.60 48.76 60.00 56.26 62.50 $2,000 $41.67 60.00 58.33 66.67 75.00 83.33 $2,500 $ 52.08 62.50 72.92 83.33 93.75 100.00 entertainments during the fall and winter months. These are given on Fridays at 4:15 p. m., according to schedule. F iel d a n d A t h l e t ic G a m e s .--The company's athletic association has charge of all the athletic and recreative sports, and, in addition to tournaments, cross-country runs athletic meets, and games which are held at different times during the year, has at least once a year a field day, and I n s u r a n c e o n t h e L iv es o f F ield a n d H o m e O f f ic e the entire office force is given the privilege of enjoying E m plo y ees-- On July 17, 1916, President Dryden an this outing. This association has over 1,300 active mem nounced to the industrial field staff and the home office bers, and they are doing a great deal to help themselves force that the company would insure the lives of its em along the lines of hygiene and health, and are receiving the ployees without any cost to them, whether on the active active cooperation of the president and other officers of the or on the retired list, for the amounts indicated in the fol company. lowing schedule, and that on the death of any such em I have attempted in a very hurried manner to give you ployee while in the service of the company there will be an outline of some of the things which the officers of the paid, in one or more installments, to the person or persons company have worked out for the general well-being and appearing to the company to be equitably entitled thereto, physical welfare of the employees. In view of the fact the sum so insured: that all applicants for positions are now subject to a med- ^k 'o n e k y e ar'8**' service of such employee has been less than When the length of service has been one year, but iess than five* ***** years ,,,4 i AAA When the length of service has been five years, but less than ten ' years i 250 When the length of service has been ten years, but less than fifl ' teen years ........... ......................... * R00 When the length of service has been fifteen years,'but' less 'than ' twenty years When the length of service has been twenty years and over.. . . " 2^000 ical examination, we are able to safeguard the health of the employees to begin with, and, as they are taught from time to time both by personal contact in the infirmary, by health articles which are printed in pamphlet form and by other matters of hygiene interest which appear in the Home Office News, the young men and women are be ginning to learn more about the laws to be observed as to the care of their bodies and what it means to have a sound Except in the cases of employees on the retired list, the foregoing shall apply only to persons whose whole time is given to the service of the company. mind in a sound body. It has been said th at "life is not only to live, but to be well." How true this is and what joy there is in work, mental or physical, when we feel The plan announced above should not be regarded as strong and well. Preventive medicine is, therefore, true taking the place of any personal insurance which the em conservation, and this adds to the efficiency of those who ployees of the company may wish to carry, and does not are actively engaged in any kind of industry or line of apply to the officers or directors of the company. business. Of f ic e H o urs a n d V a c a t io n s .--The office hours dur ing each working day are from 8:30 to 12 and 1 to 4. Sat urday is a half holiday during the entire year. Vacations are arranged for according to the length of service, and only in very few instances--those of beginners--are vaca tions less than two weeks. Some of the older employees en joy as much as four weeks. In addition, a special day is granted every thirteen weeks for promptness, punctuality, and special care and attention to their duties. R e s t a n d R e c r e a t io n .--As to rest and recreation, the general welfare of the employees is being considered, and, in addition to those who have the privilege of going to the rest or recreation rooms, it is desired as far as possible that all employees should absent themselves from their desks or departments during the entire lunch hour, from 12 to 1, so that they have sufficient time for luncheon and a short walk in the fresh air and sunshine, or for any other diversion which may be of benefit to them. Each working day the clerks enjoy a recess at 10:30 a. m. and 2 :30 p. m., so that no period during the day is longer than one and one-half hours, excepting the first period, from 8:30 to 10:30 a. m. During the past year a recreation and game room has been fitted up for and is thoroughly en joyed by the men. The women's recreation room is well equipped, and the many delightful appointments make the room very popular. One-half of this room, which is 144 feet long, is reserved for dancing. In the balance of the space calisthenics, games, etc., may be indulged in. Rest and recreation are very important, as they tend greatly to reduce fatigue toxins and efficiency is thereby increased. Co ncerts, e t c .--During the noon hour concerts are a r ranged for in the assembly hall on inclement days, and there are regular features several times each week, movies, etc. The company usually arranges for a series of Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company, Buffalo, N. Y. The Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company has been con ducting "welfare work" since moving into its present plant in 1906, and the spirit and. scope of the plan has grown with the years. The factory buildings, now comprising some 1,219,094 square feet of floor space, are practical examples of what may be accomplished in providing the maximum of light, fresh air, and comfortable temperature in all seasons to the end that employees may perform their work in pleasant, sanitary, and healthful environ ment. The buildings are of reinforced concrete construc tion, and the entire outside walls of the four-story build ings, aside from the columns and a small area ^beneath the sills, are made up of windows. This, coupled tfith the fact that none of these buildings is over 62 feet wide and that there is an open court almost as wide between buildings, insures ample light during the daytime, end satisfactory artificial light is, of course, provided for use during the short winter days and at night The plant engineers have given considerable attention to the heating and ventilating problems. The old build ings are heated by forced hot air circulati6n, with under ground ducts leading to the different floors to supply them with hot air, and the new buildings are heated by direct radiation, using forced hot water, which, is heated by ex haust steam-from the power house. An interesting sight is the serving of over 900 men at one time in the large dining room. The meal is rightly termed "noon dinner" instead of "noon lunch," as it is the contention of the company that men who work hard need a good dinner a t noon and not merely a light, cold lunch. The charge for the meal is 15 cents, but this does not cover the cost. The meal consists of soup, meat, potatoes, vari-