The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-03-10

Of the United States. The report, filed
late yesterday, in part says:
The expense of Standardization and
decentralization are borne by the man
agement while the expense of stimula-
ton ] nthe form of increased energy is
borne by the workman. Any system of
shop management which creates n bur
den charge through Standardization or
decentralization which is too heavy for
the shop to bear or which imposes bur-
den charges through stimulation which
are too heavy for the workman to bear
should be discontinued.
Loafng Not General.
That there is some loafing among
workmen has been shown by the testi-
mony before your committee, but II is
not general nor does It occur in numer-
Gus instances compared with the total
number employed.
Ordinary intelligent management I'M
der any system could eliminate II en-
urely, or at least reduce 1t to the point
where 1t would not be serious hind
rance to production. Because there are
some loafers Is no reason why the re-
mainder of the workmen should either
be compelled or induced to work up to
the very edge of the breaking strain.
There is need for production at the low
est cost, but economic necessity cannot
justify requiring workmen TO speed up
TO the highest point which they can
year to year even without injury to
their health and strength.
TO place Workrflen in a position of
that kind is to put them In the position
to go on from day to day performing a
given task. There is a margin between
the work performed by the loafer and
the maximum task for a man and in
What constitutes reasonable day
work can only be determined by pra c.
teal experience and intelligent observa-
ton. 1t cannot be wholly determined
by stop watch or any other time
measuring instrument used only for a
brief period.
The proponents of the Taylor system
assert that the workman will be pro-
tected against any injustice either in
the amount OF work required OF him or
the compensation for that work by a
change in the mental attitude brought
about by the introduction of the system
mental attitude is due almost entirely
to the personality OF the mana cement
and employe and the spirit that pre-.
walls in their relations to each other
Your committee is of the opinion that
the mere mental attitude of the en-
ployer Is too variable and unSubStantia
a basis upon which to rest the material
welfare of the wage worker.
Sees Difference.
"Standa rdizing and systematizing OF
work can be introduced successfully
without any change in mental attitude
from that which exists in the ordinary
shop, but when 1t comes to introducing
stimulation a change of mental attitud,
by which the workman is willing tc
give a greater amount OF energy fol
the same amount of pay may be very
desirable to the employer OF labor, bu'
1t IS not always so desirable 10 thu
cmploYe.
"Stop-watc time study should not b,
made Of workmen without their conscn
or any conditions be imposed upon then
by authority which implied any indig
V: piece work may be introduced
where the work to be performed Is
continuous duplication. but with tn,
exDress understanding that piece worl
rates shall not be cut unless the con
diuons OF production are RADICAL!
changed"