Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1886-07-23
AWARDS FOR WORKMEN.

better ways OF doing the ordinary WORK
about his bench or lathe than he was
taught to do, or his fellow-workmen
continue in doing. 1t may not reach
the dignity of a patentable improvement
that he has conceived, but it is wrinkle
which increases the workman's value
to his employer and at the same time
renders his labor less irksome to him
self.
tits not the most original inventions
that always pay the best, but it is the
little things, the aggregation of useful
ideas. like those suggested by the diff
ferent workmen, that increases the Ca
pacity of a shop, and gives it reputa-
ton for good work. And it is but right
that the workman who suggests these
improvements which are beneficial to
the manufacturer should be rewarded
by his employer; and if it was made the
practice in large establishments to thus
recognize the merit of the most PAINS
taking and ingenious workmen, we be-
leve the employer would derive much
greater benefit than the money outlay;
besides, he would have the qualification
every one feels in according helping
hand to worthy person.
To encourage their workmen to be
constantly on the watch for any posi-
BILE improvements, a regular system of
awards has been established in a num-
Der of English works, and, after five
years trial, has met with success that
has more than justified its adoption.
The ship-building firm of Denny G.
Brothers, at DumbartOn, inaugurated
such a system in the summer of 1880;
and in recording their very gratifying
experience, we do so in the hope that
American firms will be more generally
prompted to undertake similar enter
prise.
The committee of independent judges
who decide upon the awards have now
issued their sixth annual report, and
placed it in circulation among the
workmen. to stimulate them to re-
newed effort. Originally, the awards
varied from ten to fifty dollars, accord
ing to the worth of the improvements
for which claims were lodged with the
committee. After years trial the
Messrs. Denny authorized the commit
tee to increase the award where they
saw fit, or, if the workman preferred,
offered, in addition to the award of
fifty dollars, to take out provisional
patent at their own expense, in which
case the firm reserved the right to use
the Improvement at its own works, but
left the further disposition of the pat
ent with the inventor. In 1883 the
minimum and maximum awards were
increased TO fifteen and sixty dollars
respectively. Still little later, it was
intimated that premium of one hun
dred dollars would be paid to each
workman when he had received as
many as five awards. When he had
received ten, this would be increased
to one hundred and twenty-five dollars,
and SO on, twenty-five dollars extra
being added to the original premium
with each five awards
The report for the years 1880 to 1884,
inclusive shows that about $2, 900 was
disbursed in this manner, 81 400 being
paid out during the latter year. OF
this sum, 81 900 went in payment fol-
the regular awards, and $500 as foul
premiums. Up to this time, four in
ventions had gained the maximum
7 award. One of these, an improved
method of laying the Decauville rail
| way acrosSsthe main line, gained al
additional reward of fifty dollars from
the patentee of the railway. Ole-hal
, of the rewards given were gained by
workmen in the joiners' and carpenters
t department. An arrangement was also
t made with another firm which haC
adopted a similar system of awards, by
which any improvement introduced il
either works could be utilized in the
other by the payment Of duplicate
: award to the inventor. During thu
past year the scheme has been il
vigorous operation, and in spite of thu
n large reduction in the number o
men employed, the total of TIN
awards has been greater than be
o fore. The minimum award ha
been reduced again to ten dollars
a so a. to permit a larger humble
= to be given, but the maximum awar,
has been increased to seventy-five dol
lars. The system of premiums ha
, also been rearranged on fairer basis
: When a workman has received fiv
=, awards his premium is made equal +
their total value. The twenty-five dol
lars, however, is added successfully a
;, DtIOTe. L ne ucClSlouS Ol tUc cOuliHllle
have proved remarkably just, for G
= the improvements accepted nearly ever
one has turned out of practical value
a They cover wide range of subjects
from mechanisms of general applies
4 ton to the detailed arrangements o
n shipboard.
In number of establishments in TIL
country, the workmen are financial
q encouraged to make Improvements i
!; the machines and processes in use, br
70 in none of them, we believe, has tn
!, scheme been so thoroughly systematic
r. as among the English workers. TIL
- marked success which has been e.
4 perienced by the Messrs. Denny con
n mends their system to imitation on tn
- side of the water. Scientific American
Strangely Poisonous Lizards.
L II = Al l.