The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-31
Factory Reform.

| The Indianapolis Press" asks IL there is
| any real reason why factory of any kind
should be place of gloom and dirt and
| crime?
There is not. except the short-sighted-
| ness of humanity in general and that is
the reason for about half the troubles of
| the world. 1t is to be hoped that in the
| future. when the ideals and principles of
real civilization have permeated our social
structure, the factory of today may be as
extinct as the dodo. The problem is how
to bring about the change.
Factories are built by capitalists, intent
on money-making, and occupied by opera
| tives whose minds are taken up with pre-
| cisely the same thing. If either the en-
pioyer or the employe were given the choice
| OF two buildings, one well ventilated,
| pleasant. and clean, the other dirty, ILL
| aired, and disagreeable, there is no doubt
that they would choose the former. But
as things are al present it would cost time
| and money to make the change. A build
| ing in which the occupants are not
| crowded, and all have light enough for
their work, and reasonably pure air TO
breathe, costs more in the beginning than
! one built for the sole purpose of afford
ing Just room enough for human beings
to work; and in the present state of COM
petition, unless the employer sees that
he is going to recover the money spent on
good buildings, he will not do it. Some
times he really cannot afford TO risk the
extra expense, for fear of wrecking his
business. since he has to compete with I'M
scrupulous owners Of other factories. The
question is Would he get his money
back? Would the increased efficiency of
his employees be OF sufficient value to re-
pay him for the outlay necessary TO make
every man, woman, and child in the build
ing comfortable, and pay living wages?"
1t is impossible to say whether it would
or not. The model factory would undoubtt
eddy be profitable in some lines of bust
ness, but perhaps not in all. Much would
depend on the kind OF work required. In
many great houses It pays TO give high
wages In order to retain the services of
skilled employees and avoid training new
men. The loss entailed by continual chang
ing is more than the comparatively small
sum required 10 keep the men contented.
In other lines OF manufacturing labor is
drug in the market, and even in case Of
strike new operatives can be trained in
a short time TO do the work almost as
well as those with years Of experience
In the long run and in general, however.
II is probable that a thorough reformation
of the factory system would pay An able
bodied person can do more work in eight
hours when housed comfortably and given
every advantage of sunlight. good air, and
sufficient though not excessive heat than
he can in place where all these agreeable
things are conspicuous by their absence.
There is less risk of Illness under the for
mer conditions, the employees live better,
are stronger, ard bring more enthusiasm
to their work than when no care is taken
OF them 1t is also true that the knowI-
edge that an employer means to be just
and generous in his dealings is consider
able inspiration TO good work. There is no
question that in any business where ar
tistie skill is required, or where the work.
men are called upon to I'll responsible po-
sitions. the employer who has the liking