New-York tribune., 1903-06-23


Shop Management" by F. w Taylor and "The
Machine Shop Problem" by Charles Day. Papers
other topics of timely interest will be read and
discussed, and between times the visiting members
will enjoy the many attractions of the Spa
President Dodge may be prevailed upon to tell
of the unique scheme of solving the labor problem
which is now being worked out in his NicetoWn
factories. where several hundred
ployed. It involves lessen in applied philan-
thrcpy which has attracted much attention from
students of economics. He has applied in practice
some interesting principles OF shop management
and introduced progressive reduction OF hours OF
work
The works are we'll adapted for such experiments.
since they employ classes of labor, skilled
engineers to ordinary Iaborers. aid produce wide
variety Of conveying machinery. the economical
manufacture of which demands complex COM
bination OF day labor and piecework and the use
of a wide range of machine tools
1t began this way: Some three years Mr..
Dodge who has been running his works on a ten
hour basis aside from Saturday Ealf holiday,
became convinced that it would be good thing
for all concerned if the day could be shortened
bit. He called a shop meeting and said to the men
IF YOU keep up the output of the works on
a nine and a half hour day, you welcome to
the time. and I will that you 10 not lose any
thing by it. Shall try it,
It was a novel problem for the workmen but
after time a favorable decision was reached and
the new arrangement went into force. Prices for
! piecework remained where they and wages
| unchanged, except In the case of a few
! laborers who had proved exceptionally efficient.
| The only discussion to the place where
| the half hour gained should be applied. Some
! wanted leisure in the morning, others preferred
longer noon, and still others an earlier closing
| whistle. The spoils finally divided between
morning and evening
The effect interesting. All hands took hold
| energetcally and the output Of the works was
| slightly increased The piece had no diff
| Guilty in making the same wage. and some IN
| creased it, A small proportion Of laggards found
the heightened pace to their liking. and dropped
out. Their places were easily filled, ana Inc shop
work smoothly.
| The success of this slight reduction in hours was
only step in the direction of further shortening
4 little more than year ago another shop meet
ing was called and still another half hour lopped off
tho working day. making it nine hours. this time
without doubt as to the result and with the hearth
est good will The conditions and results were the
same as before. The nine hour day causes no loss
hut works positive benefit to all concerned Not
ONLY is the cost of working the material decreased
by the greater efficiency of the labor but the men
are uniformly making larger earnings.
Dr Louis Bell. who has made a close study OF
President DoGge's experiment. sums up the results
as follows:
The labor cost per of output for the nine hour
the nine and half hour day; and no less man than
repiroe on the side of the labor"rs there has peen
scored An IN cissr gain Of i5S per cent in the
average rate per mar hour, and consequently net
As in every case of increased output in spite Of
diminished working me the ] cause %T so o nu IN
least cursory fashion, II very fTsqIGnty happens M
Ifacture of machinery. or meferial
tbs data from which the facts regarding labor must
he determined In the present instance the pIoonct
the the pei period under Investigation The business as
hs5 tools bee" quick TO 4u0'' 'H'D' O,e1 's''.
by amount Of an2mahG ON o f hGr Cd IN
the be reduced to the eDe OF q tre i % ~
nlovers He reckons i'll who imagines that he can
TOR Gcyee nny song f la b0r Without increasing its renu
neration That workmen do resent me attempt PIT 10
for the profit of others IS upon the whole vastly
fo betWeen I9em employers and employed it is not all
necessary to strike an attitude ot disInteGssted @
be run on strictly altEustiss pTineiPiGes p and self
The necessary prelude to mutual heipfulness
Mr.. Dodge processes not to whether the men
in his shops are union or non-union- He does eX-
meet the men, however. TO keep faith with him and
with each other. A few years ago labor organ
izer brought his shop into line and formed a union
Learning the facts. Mr.. Dodge shortly took oc-
caslon to express his approval of fraternal relations
between workrnen and 10 inquire whether their
branch Of the union had any grievances.
I'VE are well satisfied" said the spokesman.
IF that is the case, tell me what would you do
| In case machinists elsewhere struck and sympa-
thetic strike ordered?' he asked
This was a poser for few minutes Then one
Of the men spoke up: We would stand by you
But said Mr.. Dodge. have you not put your
self uuder solemn obligations II strike IL ycu ere
ordered out? And If you would break faith with
the union can you be trusted to keep it with me?
No if YOU arc ordered to strike. strike you must.
to retain your sef-respect and Will see to it that
yeu do
Nothing more said. and that branch of the
union slipped into innocuous desuetude without
| further comment.
In many manufactures there is constant fear on
the part Of the hands that pjecework prices will be
cut as earnings appear to be increasing
and this fear is usually well grounded. In the
Dodge works the men are convinced that they run
no such risk and Or. Bell In visiting the works
heard OF young fellow just appointed forema
on account Of his ability who called the ONCE of
the president and asked for line in writing to
! certify to his advancement. They josh me at
home" said he and think that / am only that
bow q"
Dr. Bell SAYS Of M. Dodges work:
II is the rernorseless cyT.csn Of the great indus
trial machine which Mr.. Dodge has been fehting
in the studies in shop organization which he has
been conducting. One thing which most strongly
characterizes his works shc extent which tfiey
are run on fnog<s~l A<~<~v~ 5a~ A.y--ss-. T.. the