Samuel F.B. Morse: Raise Salaries

Posted by admin on Saturday, April 27, 2019

Samuel F.B. Morse Money Quote saying that paying well attracts quality employees to become telegraph operators who would strive to earn their pay well. Samuel F.B. Morse said:
 

 

“We must raise the salaries of our operators or they will all be taken from us, that is, all that are good for anything. You will recollect that, at the first meeting of the Board of Directors, I took the ground that ‘it was our policy to make the office of operator desirable, to pay operators well and make their situation so agreeable that intelligent men and men of character will seek the place and dread to lose it.’ I still think so, and, depend upon it, it is the soundest economy to act on this principle” — Samuel F.B. Morse

 

 

In this quote, Samuel Morse is advocating for paying telegraph operators higher salaries. He notes that if they are not paid well, the best and most skilled operators will leave their jobs for other opportunities.

Morse refers back to his initial view that companies should aim to make the operator role attractive through good compensation and working conditions. This would motivate intelligent, qualified individuals to want the job and strive to keep it.

Morse argues this is a sound economic strategy, even if it costs more in wages, since it ensures retaining top talent. The quote conveys Morse’s belief that investing in employees through fair pay and treatment is prudent for business success, not just an expense, as it leads to lower turnover and maintaining a highly skilled workforce.

Birthday April 27, 1791 – Died April 2, 1872 – Contributed to Morse Code and the Telegraph