When S. DeWitt Clough, Chairman of the Board of Abbott Laboratories in Chicago, replied to the letter to all members of the Board of Governors about English Research, in his envelope he enclosed a small booklet, “The American Way.” This story about how Abbott Laboratories conducts its relations with the employees, was printed in “The American Health Number” of the “Railroad Journal” for August, 1944.
The story is about Sally Smith who became an employee after her husband was injured in an automobile accident. The friendly routine is described through which Sally became a member of the Blood Plasma Department. After a period of three months, Sally became eligible for the group life insurance plan and hospitalization benefits for herself, her husband and her children, which cost less than ten cents per day. Many of the expert physicians are –women and kindness prevails everywhere, called the “Abbott Spirit.”
The size of this institution can be estimated by the cafeteria that serves 2300 meals per day, also provides for a factory lunch room. Generous meals are priced at twenty cents with desserts of pie or strawberry shortcake at an additional five cents. Abbott Vitamins are served free to all employees with their lunch, and 1800 bottles of milk are consumed per day during rest periods.
Vacation and holidays with pay are granted to all employees, recreation with bowling teams, dances, lectures, and a birthday luncheon on the house are a regular custom. The widow of The Dr. Abbott who founded this Abbott Foundation, left a fund to help worthy employees pay old bills and have a fresh start in life. The Ab-Lo Savings Fund pays employees five per cent interest and permits them to purchase Abbott stocks.
Some fifteen years ago, Mr. Clough started the Abbott Study Club that offers courses in First Aid, Home Nursing, Chemistry, Shorthand, Typing, Photography, Spanish, Job Training, to mention only a part of this program. How truly Mr. Clough is exemplifying the ideals that Cousin Walter established for the Society.