Evening star., 1912-03-10
Why the Employees Object.


matter Of fact no one has objected, to
any system which SO standardizes and
systematizes the work to be performed
that greater amount Of production is
secured with the same expenditure OF
labor.
Employer and employe alike and the
public generally are interested In secur-
ing the largest amount and the best
quality of production that can possibly be
secured by the amount OF labor expend-
ed. All men have a mutual interest in
the accomplishment of that end. 1t is
which has been produced that their in
terests diverge.
efficiency must not be had at the
cost Of the men, women and children
who labor and who should be the prima-
ry beneficiaries of the efficiency.
1.-The Taylor system of shop manage
ment may be divided into three general
heads, standardization. systemization and
stimulation. Efficiency may be gained
in whole or in part by any of these ways,
bined. Amy of these devices may be
carried to extremes. In the first two
devices, standardization and systemiza-
ton, the expense which would be created
by carrying them to the extreme would
act as a check against the continuance
would not exist in that portion of stimu-
lation which is applied to the workmen.
When It Injuries Workmen.
THE expense of Standardization and
systemization is borne by the manage
ment. while the expense of stimulation In
the form of increased energy is borne
by the workmen. Any system of shop
management which creates burdensOme
change through Standardization or sys-
temizatiOn. which Is too heavy for the
shop to bear. or which imposes burden
some changes through stimulation which
are too heavy for the WOrkmen to bear,
should be discontinued.
The report recommends that wherever
possible In government work the ma
chimes. tools. nuts and bolts be standard
lied; that the management should at all
times give studious attention to the
proper systematiZing and routing Of the
work, the grouping of machines, the FUR
nishing of proper tools and equipment.
and the elimination of waste energy and
waste motion on the part of the work
men.
1t also recommends that careful study
should be made of machines in order to
attain the speed and feed which will Sc
cure the highest and best possible produc-
ton.
A recommendation is made that the
management should put forth every ef-
fort to induce full cooperation between
the working force and itself. Stop-watch
time study should not be made of work
men without their consent, or any condi-
tions which imply indignity be imposed
upon them by authority.
What Gen. Crozier Says.
In his letter denying the petition of the
workmen at the Watertown arsenal.
Gen. Crozier takes the stand that these
workmen who petitioned recently the
War Department to abolish the Taylor
system on the ground that it resulted in
.i,~~~ - -
ard of efficiency" did not complain that
their work was unduly strenuous or ex-
hausting.
Gen Crozier says it is for the manage
ment and not the Workmen themselves
to look after questions Of workmanship
and efficiency, and he adds that no COM
plants of any falling off in efficiency had
come from the management or the In
spectors.
Indeed the direct contrary is posi-
lively reported" says Gen Croker and
furnishes the evidence Of those in re-
sponsible authority concerning SUP.
ject which is their special charge ana
not that of the workmen. that the only
reason given for the request to abolish
the stop watch and premium features Is
directly contrary to the fact.
Gen. Crozier also stated that 1t ap-
peared that a number OF the men who
signed the petition actually entered
the employ of the arsenal after the
now complain Of and added that 1t IL
difficult to understand why they ac-
ceL.ed such employment IL they were
SO much opposed to the system. He
gives figures and instances to show
how the system had benefited the EN-
cient employees Of the arsenal and says:
The very general participation in the
pecuniary advantages OF the system Is
made evident by the fact that premiums
were earned by such a large proportion
of the fffty-seven employees Of the trades
among which the signers Of the petition
were distributed, who had worked under
the premium system.