Electricity also propelled the pleasure launches and fishing boats. The
smoke nuisance was a vexatious trouble of the past. Life for the laborer
and his family ceased to be a burden. Eight hours were given to
conscientious labor, eight hours to physical, mental, and moral
improvements, and eight hours to rest.
By the Harris beneficences all the employees became personally interested
in the profitable workings of the steel plant. The profits of the
business also were greatly increased by the valuable inventions of
the Ingrams.
The money advanced to the employees was rapidly returned through the
company's treasurer to Colonel Harris, and by him, and later by his
heirs, was again invested in other lines of practical benevolence.
The act which gave Colonel Harris most comfort was his righting the great
wrong done James Ingram, his early joint-partner, and father of George,
his son-in-law. Colonel Harris held $2,500,000 of the steel company's
stock. He disposed of this stock as follows:--
To George and Gertrude, each $250,000 or $500,000
To James Ingram, early partner 1,000,000
Retaining for himself only 1,000,000
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Total $2,500,000
Since his return Reuben Harris had aged rapidly, his hair having
whitened, caused probably by the loss of his only son and lovely
daughter.
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