SAFETY PROVISIONS BEYER. 229 



surgeon paid by the company. In the larger plants, where circum- 

 stances warrant, nurses are in constant attendance. Very serious 

 cases are sent to the public hospitals at the company's expense, and 

 all injured men are cared for until they have fully recovered, irre- 

 spective of the manner in which their injuries were received. In 

 cases of prolonged disability financial assistance is given to the in- 

 jured man, according to the merits of the case, based on his age, 

 family relations, and record as to term of service and faithfulness. 

 These injury benefits are dispensed equitably without consideration 

 as to whether the company is legally responsible for the injury or not. 



In each plant there is a " mill committee,"' composed chiefly of 

 foremen, whose duty it is to seek out and visit faithful employees 

 who may have become sick and destitute. This committee investi- 

 gates such cases and makes recommendations for financial relief for 

 those whom it considers deserving. During the year 1909 more than 

 $7,000 was distributed gratuitously in this way by the American 

 Steel & Wire Co. 



There is, in addition, a pension department, which was established 

 in Januarj^, 1902. Pensions are granted to employees who have 

 reached the age of 65 and who have l^een in the service of tlie com- 

 pany, or any of its predecessors, for 10 years; also to any who have 

 reached the age of 55 and are physically disqualified for further serv- 

 ice, providing they have been employed the preceding 10 consecutive 

 years. 



The following uniform method is used in computing the amount 

 of these pensions: For each year of service, 1 per cent of the aver- 

 age monthly pay for the 10 years preceding retirement, is allowed; 

 for example, a man who has been in the service of the company for 

 40 years, and has drawn an average of $75 a month for the last 10 

 years, would receive 40 per cent of $75 or $30 a month pension. 

 Pensioners are allowed to seek employment elsewhere if they desire, 

 and the utmost freedom of travel and residence is given them. In 

 1909 the American Steel & Wire Co. had 419 retired pensioners, 

 some of them being located in England, Ireland, and Sweden, be- 

 sides various parts of the United States; they receive in pensions dur- 

 ing the year a total of $56,712. The pension fund is maintained en- 

 tirely by the company, without assessment or contribution from the 

 employees. 



