Page:The Story of the House of Cassell (book).djvu/283

 The Belle Sauvage Freemasons' Lodge, which was consecrated in 1905, is a rallying ground for former as well as for present members of the staff.

Some notice may now be taken of the various funds for helping employees or their families when overtaken by death, or accident, or sickness. The Provident and Emergency Funds, to begin with, date from May, 1878, when Cassell, Fetter, Galpin and Co. began to set aside for the benefit of their workpeople 5 per cent, of the profits remaining when 5 per cent, had been paid upon the capital employed in the business. When the firm was converted into a limited liability company this provision was continued, and from first to last hundreds of the employees have benefited from it. The scheme provides for payments, varying with the length of service, to the family of any employee who dies after ten years' service, and for similar amounts to those employees who, after ten years' service, become incapacitated by old age or by incurable disease. From the Emergency Fund small grants or loans are made in cases of sudden need.

In addition to these Funds, there are Pension Funds, created by the late Mr. Galpin, the family of the late Mr. Petter, and the late Mr. Robert Turner. Pensions are granted for varying short periods, the object being to help an employee who has fallen out of work, or a family that has lost its bread-winner, until other arrangements can be made. Finally, there is the Belle Sauvage Sick Fund. This derives its revenue mainly from the subscriptions of its members. When, however, a member dies there is a levy upon the survivors, and the sum thus realized may be augmented by a grant from the Provident Fund.

As a means of encouraging thrift, the House has made arrangements with the Provident Mutual Life Assurance Association by which employees can insure on either the whole life or the endowment system on advantageous terms. The premiums are paid in monthly instalments, and the usual agent's commission on the policies is divided among the assured.