The Washington herald., 1913-12-30
Scientific ent"
Movement Expected to
Cut U. S. Expenses.
WAGE SCALE REVISION
Secretary Of Navy Daniels Has Plan
to Benefit Workers and Cut
Down Drones.

Scientific management OF the railways
OF the United States. their shops their
physical control, made an issue by Louis
d. Brandeis and practically forced into
operation on all the big railroads, has
had its influence in the national govern
ment.
Although at the time Brandeis was
holding the attention OF the country by
expounding the theory of scientific man
agement 1t has been in operation In the
industrial lines throughout the country.
the big textile industries the steel plants,
mines and other large businesses, the
railroads were somewhat loath to admit
that the theory would be a factor for bet
terment to the wage esrners. Since then
II has been declared by men familiar with
the idea, that II has worked to the wage
true, II is asserted. but II has resulted
in giving to the shippers and the con-
sumers as low freight rates as are
charged by any foreign railroads.
In substantiation of this fact. a COM
mittee Of European railroad experts will
visit this country within the near future
to study the American manner I'm which
the large transcontinental lines are oper-
ated.
BENEFIT to Employees.
While the principle of scientific manage
ment has been extended to all phases
Of the cost OF construction and operation.
Uncle Sam, through his agent, the Secre-
tary OF the Navy, Josephus Daniels. has
given the proposition his cloest attention.
In the various navy yards of the coun-
try. the theory will be carried out, II is
thought. if the wage board that is now
meeting in the Navy Department here,
finds that it will be for the best interests
Of the service, that is, for the employees
as well as for the government
Commanders OF all navy yards have
been going over the question Of expenses
principally with the view that overhead
charges can be reduced. The idea is that
the government owned navy yards, for
the manufacture OF guns and small arma-
ment have been too costly to the govern
ment.
The put the empoyes on a cost and
operation basis, for work actually turned
out 1t is thought by navy heads. that
the government will be able not only TO
compete with private yards, but will be
able to hold the cost down to the mini
mum.
Under the scientific management propo-
sition. 1t is urged, the efficient employe
is in no way initiated against but on the
other hand has his salary increased. The
indolent emptUye and the ioafer. on the
ally accompllshes. In other words, the
employe is paid for what he actually
makes or does and not by the day. as is
the case In many of the Fovernmentally
operated shops. This. navy heads DECLARE
has resulted in increased overhead costs
AM requires deficiency appropriations
every year by Congress to make up for
costs not entering into the calculations
Of naval constructors.
No II. c. T.. In Panama.
During the Taft and Roosevelt admins !
tration Congress enacted legislation that
the government shoul not buy supplies !
for ;he Panama Canal in foreign coun- |
tries. and specified that all purchases |
should be made i'm the United States. Gov !
ernment employees on the canal strip can |
purchase the necessities and even luXuries |
at a figure greatly reduced from the |
prices at which these commodities are |
offered in the United States. The pur- |
chases are obtained through bids.
Working upon this principle. Secretary |
Daniels has attempted to put the same |
plan into operation in the navy. Bids |
for armor and guns. and for everything |
else that goes into the construction of a !
have been asked by the I
navy in the building OF battleship No /
Ss which will in all probability be named |
the Pennsylvania. II is estimated fully
s. 10000 will be saved. Now. however,
Secretary Daniels will take a step further
along the lines OF economy and see what
Is doing in saving money in the navy
yards through the principles Of scientific