The record-union., 1896-01-18


public The matter in these communica-
tons will be understood to represent only
the views Of the writer's. All communica-
Of the writer, not for publication unless
so desired, but as guarantee of good
faith-Eds.
What Constitutes a Good Foreman.
Eds. Record Union: Some years
ago was engaged in the machine shop
of quite an extensive establishment for
the manufacture of agricultural impIe-
ments, steam and gas engines. etc., in
the vicinity of San Francisco. and
where an apparently very Industrious,
although, in my opinion, Improbable,
foreman was employed. AS this may
seem paradoxical to the reader, will
explain.
He evidently tried to do more than
he could accomplish successfully, and
well, in other words, bit off more than
he could thoroughly chew. He worked
at the wise much of the time-and more
especially when the proprietor was in
s1ght-thereby necessarily neglecting to
properly inspect the work and keep all
or the men under his charge constantly
employed; while he would occasionally
tell the workmen to be sure to be at
work very busy when the proprietor
was present. My reply was that as my
intention was to serve my employer
faithfully at all times during working
hours, l had no spare time to ascertain
whether he was present or not
Subordinate to this foreman was a
boss who had charge of a gang of
men for setting up the machinery, and,
following the example of his superior
whenever the proprietor was known to
be about the shop, the loud voice of
the boss" could be heard almost the
entire length of the shop giving orders
to his men; hammers began to rattle
and an increased activity was at once
noticeable in his department Now,
this slavish fear of an employer is un-
american, and is usually born of a dis
honesty of purpose.
A good foreman is not only industri-
Gus but also uses his industry to the
best practical advantage, and before a
workman has finished job he has an
other ready, fully realizing the fact
that the loss of time of a dozen or
more of men in waiting a few minutes
each amounts to a greater loss to the
company than all the work he could do
single-handed would be worth in the
time he neglected his temporary unem-
ployed men.
Whenever an unnecessary surplus of
material is habitually found in forgings,
castings or other material, involving an
unnecessary waste of stock and time in
finishing 1t off, thereby entailing an un-
necessary double loss to the owners. as
well as disadvantage to finishers on
piece work" if any, a good. attentive
n inc rxf ..T-s--
workmen sometimes do, ''never mind,
boys, it will give us all the more work"
will call the attention of the proper par
ties to their drawings, sketches, ETC..
and, if necessary, have patterns altered.
But this should not all fall upon the
foreman of the finishing department,
but rather upon those of other depart
ments, whose especial duty it should be
to rectify their own oversight or mis-
takes. And right here will add that
during my life experience in various
shops have frequently heard not only
workmen but occasionally boss or
foreman say in regard to the saving of
time and stock, never mind, it's a rich
company" seemingly forgetting, or
never earring, that the principle in
volved is the same, whether the owner
that he is obliged to economic in every
possible way to be able to meet his nee
essary shop expenses, including the
paying of his workmen every week or
month, as the case might be.
An employe making (and meaning)
such a remark concerning employers,
who, whether by more persistent in
dustry, superior ability or fortunate
circumstances, have so risen above us
financially as to enable them to give
us employment instead of our being
able to give it to them, is ungrateful,
disloyal, treacherous and, whether en-
gagged in civil or military service, de-
serves to be expelled.
In matters of seeming conflicting in
terests between the owner and an en-
ploye, and where there seems to be a
doubt involved, all else being equal, a
good, faithful foreman will consider it
to be his duty to give his employer the
benefit of that doubt This is rule sus-
ceptible to some exceptions based upon
the characters of the parties interested,
and of this he should take due notice
and govern himself accordingly. But I
am writing Of the average man. AS
the owner is practically the foundation
Of the enterprise, let us look well to the
care and defense of that foundation if
we would render the structure endur-
ing.
A good foreman will study to learn
the various dispositions and Character
istics of his men. AS the various met
ais cannot be successfully worked by
one and the same process, neither can
all men be successfully dealt with alike
A man of refined, sensitive nature will
| appreciate a kind word and work ell
the better for it, while similar language
would slip from a coarse and more vul-
gar nature like rain from a ducks
back. It usually requires Language
more forcible than elegant to spur
such on to duty. A good foreman will
use his influence to employ and retain
a class of men calculated to make good
citizens. A good foreman will see
that his men have tools suitable to do
work to advantage, ana have all TOOLS
machinery, etc, kept in good order A
very good foreman will not influence
the discharge Of an employe both faith
full and profitable to the company. in
order to retain a mere personal friend.
A most excellent foreman will mot con-
slider the duties of the day as ended
until the duties it brings have been dis
charged" AMERICAN MECHANIC.
Sacramento, Jan. II, 1896.
Catarrh is a constitutional disease
and cannot be cured by local applica-