New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-23
Says They Are Opposed to
Progress and in Hostility
to Merit System.
ASKS FOR INVESTIGATION
Wants Industrial Commission
to Study Conditions
at the WatertoWn
Arsenal.
Iron The Tribune Bureau. ]


Washington, Sept. 22.-Criticism Of the
labor unions as opposed to progress in
their hostility 10 the Taylor system and
as counting on political influence as
substitute for good work and Industry
and a declaration that no committee OF
Congress can divorce itself sufficiently
from questions of political expediency 10
pass judicially upon the questions IN
VOWED in the employment OF the Taylor
merit system are the chief features OF
an extended report which Brigadler Cen
eral William Cro2ier has just made TO the
Secretary OF War.
Numerous complaints have been maze
10 the Secretary OF War regarding the
employment OF the Taylor merit system
i'm the WATERFOWL, Mass, arsenal Where
IL has worked admirably. and some OF the
petitions have some with Congressional
endorsements General Crozer, by direc-
ton of the Secretary conducted an IN
vestgation, by which he found that In
many instances the petitioners had sighea
the memorials at the instiSation OF the
labor unions and without any adequate
knowledge Of their purpose.
No sooner had he begun his in'estiga-
ton than local Congressmen were advised
by telegraph that the government was
'intimidating the workmen, aithouSh
such statements We're false. NeVef'he-
less. the congressman. without inVestiGa-
ton. Immediately assumed an attitude
hostile 10 the efforts Of the government
10 ascertain what. II any. well founded
ground OF complaint the workmen hau
against the system.
General Crozier has now filed an ex-
haustive report with the Secretary Oh
War. I'm which he says. In part.
pursuant 10 a resolution of the House
of Representatives. committee OF tnal
body investigated the Taylor and other
systems Of shop management and thtir
appIlcation TO government work In 1911
70 and the committees reporting upon
the propositions above mentioned 10 dDo'-
ish the system. made use of the report
OF the investigating committee. not"ith-
standing the fact that this report recon-
mended that there should be no le6isla-
fion upon the subject at the time
THE report OF the investigating com
mittee. however. did not make a state
ment Of what IT had found AT the Water
town arsenal as a result OF It's investisa-
lion. but mentioned I'm condemnation
number Of repreheusihle practices. which
II did not find. and did not say that II
had found. M that establishment. d.
Hut danger lies in Congressional action
under pressure from outside the arsenal
and for the purpose OF satisfying Con
rress and the country at large as 10 the
advantage or disadvantage, both To the
government and TO the employe. OF inc
features complained Of as in operation
think that an investigation should De-
made 10y an authoritative body in winch
the country could have confidence. Which
should take the time necessary Tor In"
purpose. and would render report en-
bodying ifs findings as 10 the facts ana
conditions. and it's conclusions thereon
with ifs recommendations. which could
be relied Upon for tine government ~
their action by those In authority who are
called upon TO take action In the prem
lses. and who, Of course, have not the
time 10 look thoroughly into the matte
for themselves.
such body / believe TO be the indus
trial commission. appointed by the Presi-
dent. pursuant 10 the act approved Az
gust g. 1912 DO not believe thdt
there is any more worthy subject Tor inc
Investigation of this commission than the
one Of modern scientific management IN
Industrial works. of which they have now
AN illustration in four years operation
at government establishment conduc'@l
openly under public laws and reshid-
tons and operated with sohcitudc Tor
the welfare Of It's employees, and without
profit"