New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-07

the attention Of the modern economist. Socio-
logical and other considerations have brought
the real into greater prominence and 1t
must be confessed that he is a far more inter
estng parsonage than the straw stuffed figure
that has appeared so largely in economic dr.
cussion. He is evidently the one who is to be
taken into account more and his pecu
iarities and the springs e mis- conduct are dis
cussed. Mr.. GiIma2's book IS an interesting
study OF the real man. IN his qualities es en-
plcyer and employee. and OF some Of his actions
and reactions that mae the labor problem"
what it is. Ee is concerned with one aspect of
this problem that takes however. q number of
specific forms-that is in general. the estab-
lshment OF more friendly relations between en-
ployers and employed the raising Up of a feel
ing Of responsibility on tie part Of each for the
welfare Of the other. Ii IS essential matter
in the labor world for both the buyer and the
seller of labor to realize the moral aspects Of
their relation; in other words. as MIR. Gilman ex
presses il, that the labor contract shall be NOR
allied" This book is an attempt to present
'realizable ideal" such sober and candid
Imagination might construct. and toward this
ideal contributes great body OF classified facts.
Mr.. Gilman apparently breads more than any
thing else the accusation of preaching of
advocating something remote from the possb-
ties OF modern business conditions. Successful
dealing in and his book is largely filed with the
enumeration of them. It is interesting list.
In certain aspects 1t is truly that touches
emotions rot usually connected with TIE bust
ness OF the labor market. and a comfortable
feeling Of practically is given to ii by its length
and wide inclusiveness Surely these cannot ell
be sporadic philanthropiss who have unselfishly
subordinated their business instincts TO the bet
ternent of their employees condition.
The dividend to labor with which Mr.. Gill
man IS chiefly concerned here assumes a great
variety Of forms. welfare Institutions he
terms them, using expression that has the
sound OF English but is German idiom. They
range from the great network Of pension funds,
model houses hospitals. schools savings banks,
baths. restaurants and other things that the
Krupps have established for the employees of
their vast steel works, down 10 the most mod
est modification Of ordinary comneTcialism for
the benefit Of labor. The concrete, detailed emu
meration OF them. to which most of the book is
given up is far from being wearisome. 1t is
fascinating from beginning to end. intensely
human and inspiring in the glimpses ii gives of
the workings Of minds constrained on the omen
side by the necessities OF business interests on
the other by the sense of justice and OF kindly
feeling Each entry has its own personal flavor,
and the variety of the chapter is limited only
by the number Of firms whose ventures are
cbronicled. There is the individual note in each;
they human documents.
Profit sharing, properly called. occupies
rather subordinate place IL the book The au-
thor gives few instances to illustrate the de-
velopments Of the ten years that have elapsed
since the publication of this book devoted ex-
clusively to this subject. An important and sig
nifcant feature Is the list of the cases of aban-
Comment of profit sharing in the United States
with the reasons that have led TO it-candid on
the whole but obviously colored by that en-
thusIasm that has made Mr. Gilman 7"ell known
among advocates of the scheme Profit sharing
is not shown here to have made a success-at
least in this country There has been reason to
fear that II would not be. 1t is alluring to
everybody who has the welfare CT the laboring
people at heart. and its thick and thin advo
Gates are not discouraged by the chilling fact.
Of later experiences with it. Nevertheless, the
truth still remains that it has had success only
In exceptional cases. whore il has been directed
by q most unusual combination of abilities not
wholly commercial in their essence, and where
the flavor Ct philanthropy cngs round it still.
why is il that the Bourne cotton mills in liver
ton, under Mr. Chase's management-a form of
industry ACKNOWLEDGED to he peculiarly i'll
adapted to profit sharing-have made of it
singular success. while the Springfield Foundry
Company 90 name out of number) reports
represents the experience of many concerns?
The truth is that the facts Of modern industry
against it. 1t is inequitable in that while
profits be shared with employees losses can
not. The employer weakens himself by giving
away the surplus OF a good years operations.
and finds himself less able to stand the strain
IF bad. Nor does its general adoption seem
capable Of being squared with the present wage
system without radical readjustment of the lat
ter It is seen from Mir. Gilman's statements
that in many cases even the moral effect is not
a desirable one: one employer reports an undue
assumption the part OF his men as to prices
Of products well wages; the unions We're
ealled upon 10 enforce their demands Another.
after poor yean met nothing but sour faces
and an implied falling off in the quality of work
dome Several found benefit to themselves.
having simply thrown away money" Many
report an entire lack of appreciation the part
# the men. 1t is true that possibly of
these disadvantages would have been removed
oy a better understanding and a longer trial.
But Mr. Gilman's inveterate optimism makes
him slow 10 grant the force Of these practical
experiences Few firms in these days of fierce
competition afford to continue throwing
away money for education Of their working
people that may may not make success Of
doubtful experiment. Profit sharing makes its
pest showing only under uncommon circum-
stances. The few phlanthropic employers and
exceptional employees who have carried it 10
cess are the persCnages in a most attractive
story. The fact. nevertheless. remains that
profit sharing is a disappointment; it stands
present chance OF becoming a significant factor
n modern industrial conditions.
The main portion Of MI Gilman's book taken
up with What he calls ''indeterminate dvf-