Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-10

Industrial ills, nor will they solve all
labor troubles; but, with thoughtfui
TO. each Individual shop, the way will
be paved toward correcting many abuses.
Able Men Studying Subject.
When such men as Andrew Carnegie.
Melville f. ingalls, and George w. Per-
kins, in this country; and Sir Christopher
Fllrness, the great shipbuilder. in Eng
land, are giving years OF study to the
solution of industrial problems, IL is time
that our manufacturers devote some time
and thought to the economic aspects OF
these and similar problems. Mr.. Carnegie,
in a recently published book, prOphesies
the coming of the day when the rernunera
ton of employees will be by profit sharing,
a minimum wage being guaranteed. Mr..
ingalls, has publicly declared that the
present wage agreement Will give way to
profit sharing, which in some form is
bound to be. the basis of cooperation.
Among manufacturers prominent in the
machinery trade who are devoting much
time to the study of equitable methods of
paying for labor is the former treasurer
of the National Metal Trades Association,
Fred A. Ge'er, president Of one of Cincin-
MATHS largest enterprises. who declares
that the value to our employees of the
premium system which we employ. arises
from the fact that the opportunity of in
creased pay stimulates the men to use
their minds as we'll as their hands
The tremendous industrial develop
mcnt of the past fifteen or twenty years."
continued Mr.. Wuest, has brought about
many changes in Industrial conditions
and it is necessary that some system of
remuneration be adopted which will carry
the certainty Of increased pay an in
centive TO increased output. The most
successful OF these plans is the premium
system. which makes the wOrknaanS pay
commensurate with his ability TO turn out
york more rapidly than other craftsmen
who are satisfied with day wages. This
system IS of advantage TO the employer
because ii secures better WorkrneD. 1t
solves the problems as TO how to pay in
creased wages eGuitably and how to
grant the shorter worlz-day without cut
ting wages or radically increasing the
cost of the product.
influence of the Unions.
The growth of large shops and the
consequent employment, of workmen in
such large numbers has made it practi-
timekeeper to know them all. The work
man In large shop is prone to cast his
lot into common pot by joining union,
lnistaking in union leaders siliftiness for
adroitness, sophistry for wisdom, effront-
cry for independence. The union fastens
upon bis neck yoke that holds him
down 10 the level of the most shiftless
workman in the organization, a workman
WHOM undef Otner condltl0nS he would
scorn to recognize as an equal. BY an
oath-bouad compact he is pledged to the
minimum wage,' to short hours of labor
and to restricted output. If he struggles
to free himself ne is fined or disgraced
by expulsion. Instead OF giving a fair
days work for fair days pay Ito re-
verse the slogan of the union he insists
upon fair days pay for an unfair days
work-the days work of the poorest
workman in the shop.
What of the shop owner brought face
to face with such conditions? His over
head expenses are the same whether his
employee works long day or short day.
He has invested heavily in plant, in
equipment, in working capital. whether
the output be limited or unrestricted
Shall he throw up his hands and go
through bankruptcy or shall he drag
along. carrying the heat and burden of
the day. contenting himself with recon-
pense at the end of the year that his
Of the burden under which he would be
open to him. Either he must break the
halter which is about his neck and de-
clare for the open shop which will bring
on probably a bitter and expensive strike,
or he must present to his worIsmen an in
ducement to greater effort and increased
efficiency.
Chooses a Peaceful Course.
He will choose the course that makes
for peace. To that end he must detar-
mine the plan best suited for his par
ticular circumstances, the plan that is