“That must not be allowed,” said Salome. “The mills were paying a handsome profit when this was done, weren’t they?”
“They were,” said Villard. “Better than for a year before.”
“Give them their old pay, with the understanding that wages will be increased when work is heavier. I propose to myself a wild scheme of profit-sharing, or a sliding scale of wages, in the future.”
“Good,” cried Villard. “The very thing I’ve been wanting to try. I believe in it heartily. But where did you get the idea of it?”
“Oh, I’ve been reading all the practical articles I could find on political economy, as applied to mills and factories, for some months,” Salome replied, “and I have evolved some queer theories, I fear; but I propose to give them a fair trial, unless you pronounce them too visionary. I am glad you approve of profit-sharing. And you, Mr. Burnham?”
“I approve of making the experiment,” said the more cautious superintendent. “I do not jump at conclusions. Nevertheless, the idea, though new, looks practicable, and I should like to see it tried.”
“They have already tried it in one or two places where it is proving a great success, I believe,” said Salome. “You know the experiment was tried as long ago as 1831, when Mr. John S. Vandeleur put it into effect successfully in County Clare, Ireland. The Paris and Orleans Railway Company began to share profit with its employes in 1844, and the Maison Leclaire, I think, two years before, both of which have proved very successful. I do not see why we cannot adopt it.”
“We can,” asserted Villard, confidently. “It is already being tried on a small scale by several firms in this country. Why should not we join the procession?”
“What are you going to do about the demand for weekly wages?” asked Burnham.
“What objections are there?” Salome asked.