Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/760

 746 TV/^ AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

per cent. We noticed an instant improvement in the general health of the women ; there was less delay from sickness, fewer absences, and an ability to work harder and more enthusiastic- ally than when they ate cold food."

On the same floor is found the bathroom for women, who have the same privileges in this respect as those offered the men. Here also is a rest room comfortably furnished, with an attend- ant in charge, where female employes are privileged to retire at any time when indisposed. Each Saturday afternoon is given as a half holiday for all women. In addition to all these, each has the privilege of selecting one day in every month which she may have as a day of rest without any reduction of wages. The women are furnished each day with white aprons and sleeve protectors furnished by the company and laundered each day by the company's laundry. It is hardly remarkable that the company has a most loyal body of women helpers or that it is the highest ambition of working women in that vicinity to come into the employ of such a company. It would be difficult to suggest what further consideration could be shown.

In the administration building is a reading room and a well- selected circulating library of several hundred volumes for the use of the entire working force. In the business center of the city the company has a large hall. . Here many of the organiza- tions meet, and many lectures and entertainments are given for the benefit of the employes. At the factory itself is the theater previously mentioned. Here the meetings of the Advance Club, the Women's Century Club, and of other organizations are held. This theater is also used for entertainments given by the employ

Most of the women employed are members of the N. C. R. Women's Century Club, which is a member of the National Fed- eration of Women's Clubs. Twice a month the meetings are held at the noon hour, at which time they are given one-half hour additional of the company's time. There is an N. C. R. Mothers' Guild of mothers from the families of employes. This guild, assisted by the company, supports a kindergarten in one of the company's buildings. The N. C. R. House is a social