“As our business increased, we took in new men. We made no special
effort to select. We asked no questions as to their habits, their
morals, their religion or their irreligion. We were ignoring the
sacred rule of business, getting along in a sort of free and easy
way, occasionally giving the boys a word of caution, printed on the
envelopes; then, perhaps, a little letter expressing good will and
fellowship. Then we came to feel the need of a rule to govern the
place. We thought, to that extent, we ought to be like other people. So
we had the following printed on a piece of tin and nailed to the wall.
It’s there to-day:
“‘The Rule Governing This Factory: Therefore, whatsoever ye would that
men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them.’
“In 1895, at Christmas time, we made a little cash dividend,
accompanying it with such a letter as we believed would be helpful. In
1896, we repeated the dividend and the letter. In 1897 and 1898 we did
the same.”
In response to the query as to how he would regulate property
interests, Mayor Jones said:
“If you will read the Fourth of Acts and see how property was regarded
and treated by the early Christians, you will read what I believe to be
the one scientific way in which property can be handled for the good of
all. The manifest destiny of the world is to realize brotherhood. We
are brothers, not competitors.”
“What would you advise the rising generation to do to bring about such
a realization?”
“That is an important question,” replied the mayor. “Well, I am free
to answer that I think by far the best thing that the Acme Sucker-Rod
Company has done has been to open the adjoining corner lot as a Golden
Rule park and playground. Here is a spot of God’s green earth in the
heart of the industrial part of our city that is as free to the people
as when the red Indian trod there. And I am sure that the healthful
play of the children and the delightful studies of the older ones as we
discuss the questions of brotherhood, golden rule, and right relations
generally, in our Sunday afternoon meetings, will do more to bring
about the era of peace and good will than all else that has been done
there. And now we have added Golden Rule Hall, where we may continue
these studies, for we must first understand our disease before we can
apply the remedy.