Welfare Work 3
Cliffside’s Highest Type of Welfare Work (continued)
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High Cost of Living
When the high cost of living began to be a source of worry to workers the Nation over, Mr. Haynes began to try and solve the problem insofar as it affected his village.
To begin with, he rented his cottages at a low figure. The houses net the company something like $2.50 to $5.00 each, which does not represent a return on the investment of 2%.
These low figures enable employees to enjoy modern homes at low prices.
“When meats and flour and such necessities began to rise in price, Mr. Haynes … began to sell necessities below actual costs.”
In addition to this, the company operates a large store. When meats and flour and such necessities began to rise in price, Mr. Haynes came to the rescue. He began to sell necessities below actual costs.
The company has not, however, cut prices on luxuries and the profit made on other lines of goods will probably offset the loss sustained on the necessities, so that the store will just about break even.
The reductions, however, on the necessities of life have been a real and practical blessing on the people of the community.
This is but one of the many instances wherein R.R. Haynes sidetracked the pocket at the call of humanity.
It is not strange, then, that the people of that great section called this man blessed.
As Editor Johnson of Charity and Children once said, “It is a pity that Northern and Western papers that have at various times attacked Southern mill conditions, cannot visit Cliffside and see what R.R. Haynes has wrought for the betterment of his fellowmen.”
Reprinted with permission from The Charlotte Observer. Copyright owned by The Charlotte Observer.
Our thanks to Buzz Biggerstaff for contributing material for this article.