The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-08
NO STRIKE
AT C0RLISS
WORKS.
Owners Propose to Introduce
tho Premium and Not The
Piece System.


1t was rumored last night that a strike
would be iuaugurated this morning al
the old Corliss Engine Works at tha
Charles street railroad crossing because
the machinists in Nos. / and shops obs
ject 10 being put on piece or job work.
and also because they object to 'non-
union boss"
IL was further understood that dis~
patch had been received from the union
headquarters TO that effect.
The strike did not materialize. how-
ever, nor is there any immediate lkeli-
hood of there being one, according to
both employers and employees. who were
interviewed today at this branch OF tho
International Power company.
But it appears that the company pros
poses to inaugurate a new plan in the
near future, which will be OF vital inter-
est TO the employees. namely, what is
known as the premium system"
NO PIECE WORK AT ALL.
Piece work will not be installed i'm any
case at any time 90 the men have noth-
ing To fear on that score.
BY the premium system is meant simply
that any man who performs given
amount OF work i'm less time than ord-
narily allowed will receive extra COM
| pensation therefor.
l If he should not save time on the Job.
| or even required little extra time to
/ complete IL. he is guaranteed his days
pay just the same.
| The idea Is To stimulate the men to
| work faster by offering bonus for extra
| endeavor successfully consummated.
IL is not proposed Ia adopt the premium
system, however until t has been sub
| mitted 10 the employees for their consid-
Grafton
If the men do not think fayorably of
| IL, after IL has been thoroughly explained
| TO them, 1t Will not be inaugurated.
SYSTEM USED ELSEWHERE.
The scheme. which is said 10 be in uss
J I'm the Providence Steam Engine COM
| panys plant as well as over 80 other of
7, the leading shops I'm this country, has
| been under consideration by the noadleys
| ever since they acquired the Corllss and
\ Rhode Island Locomotive plants here.
| 1t was left for the new superintendent
| OF the Corliss Works. Herman III. Fern-
| strom. who took hold April LIST, 10 carry
| IL out.
| Mr. Ternstrom is young Swedish en-
| gineer, who recently came from Spring
| field ILL.,. and who takes the place or
| superintendent l.. c.. Russell who has
/ been i'm charge of outside work for a
| month or more.
Superintendent Fernstrom II supposedly
| the 'non-union boss referred to in the
| dispatch received last night
| He characterized the rumor OF an inn
! pending strike as all moonshine- He
| could think of nothing that could have
| given rise TO such report, unless t
were the projected system. which ho
| states, has already been talked over with
| some of the men.
NO OTHER CHANGE.
mo other change is contemplated"
| said he, nor will any be made, IL the
! men do not desire IL.
'The proposed plan is used by the
| Brickford Drill and Tool company of Gin
| cinnati. O.. by the consent of the union.
when first introduced there was
| sauabble among the men, but once they
| fully understood It, they took 20 IL verv
| kindly and now would not so back to ths
| old system.
MEMS WAGES GUARANTEED.
"It should be understood that a man Ia
| guaranteed his days wages anyway, re-
| gardless OF any system"
The premium system was originated W
or more years ago by 4. A. Halsey, as
| sociate editor of the American Machin-
| ist"
In the interim between superintendent
Russelrs retirement and Mr.. Fsru.
| strom's succession 20 the office General
Manager A. ii. Hoadey has acted as su.
perintendent assisted by Mr.. Z. p. Mae
| cready OF the office stan.
| Both gentlemen were surprised Ia
learn OF a projected strike and both de-
ciared that there was no foundation for
the rumor.
Foreman Mullen OF No. 1 shop is sick
at home. lie has heart trouble
NO REASON FOR Discomfort.
| Foreman William Cowgirl OF No. shop
| could think OF no reason for disafrection
among the men. The premium system"
is the only innovation proposed b. the
| company that ne knows OF.
| Regarding tho "non-union boss" mat
ter. II Is stated that superintendants and
| foremeu OF these shops are not union
] members As rule.
| Inquiry among them brought ont moth
| ing new. except that last month - or .
mon were laid of for few weeks De-
cause OF slack work.