Telephone & Telegraph Company,
published in the Bell Telephone News
and the Western Electric employee
publication:
"To employees of the Western Union Telegraph Company, Western Electric
Company and Bell Telephone System:
The new plan of benefits for disability due to accidents or sickness,
of insurance and of pensions, goes into effect with the new year.
Nearly 200,000 men and women who are now giving the
best years
to the
telephone and telegraph service of the country will henceforth be
assured of assistance in the exigencies of life, for which all are not
able to provide and will also be assured of a provision for their
declining years.
It is but natural that every employee should desire to assume the
normal responsibilities of life and to surround himself and those
dependent upon him with the things that make life complete and
enjoyable. Unforeseen happenings may make these responsibilities heavy
burdens, and whatever may be put aside for the day of misfortune must
in the beginning be small and accumulated slowly. A
realization that
obligations must be met in times of misfortune, as well as in times of
prosperity, has made the need of something beside merely an old age
pension appear absolutely vital.
Employers buy and employees sell service. Perfect
service is only to
be found when fidelity and loyalty are reciprocal in employer and
employee. It is this relationship that brings satisfaction and
success to both.
The intent and purpose of the employers in establishing a plan of
benefits, is to give tangible expression to the reciprocity which means
faithful and loyal service on the part of the employee, with protection
from all the ordinary misfortunes to which he is liable: reciprocity
which means mutual regard for one another's interest and welfare.
This is justice, and without justice and sympathetic interest, we
cannot hope to do a thoroughly good piece of work.
In behalf of the management of the American Telephone, Western Union
and Western Electric Companies, let
me say that we have a personal interest
in our public service, a personal
interest in our employees and a personal
interest in our common country. It
is our hope that
what we have already
accomplished has helped
the men and women of the Bell System to become
happier and better American
citizens, and it is our New Year's
wish that
what has been planned
for the future will contribute to their constantly
increasing happiness and
betterment.”