New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-04
THRIFT OF FORD
WORKERS SHOWN
Auto Makers Representa-
tive Tells 'Ad' Men of
Sociological Work.

John r. Lee, representative OF Henry
Ford. told the Advertising Mems League
at its dinner at the Aldine Club last
night what Mr.. Ford's scheme for ana
lying and organizing the humanity in
his workmen had done for the workmen
and for the Ford shops. There were
l40 at the dinner, including delega-
ton from the Ford shops in Long ISL
and City.
Five months after the profit sharing
system was instituted, Mr.. Lee said,
survey was made TO determine its re-
suits. 1t was found that bank accounts
had increased 1876 per cent among Ford
employees; houses owned outright, 81
per cent; lots owned outright, So per
cent; houses owned on contract, 95 per
cent; lots owned on contract, 1873 per
cent, and life insurance policies, s6 per
cent.
When sociological work in the shops
was in it's infancy So per cent of the
employees had no conception OF the Eng
lish language. To-day, through the CO.
operation of the Young Mems Christian
Association, there is a school with vol
unteer teachers from the shops, where
100 workmen students are enrolled,
and within three months they read,
speak and write we'll enough to manage
their own affairs, including bank sc-
counts, without assistance.
A system of medical examination and
attention has been instituted, Mr.. Lee
said, with the result that last month
the absentee list was per cent in
stead of 10 per cent.
Physicians reported that the men
were in much better shape physically.
A bureau which is mapping the city Of
Detroit with a view 10 fixing standards
of living in various sections reports
that the Ford employees are advancing
rapidly. so far as their environments
are concerned The statistical sheets
of the administrative Office show that
the output is increasing, both in quality
and quantity.
The profit sharing scheme was start
ed January II, 1914 The prime quail
fications for participation in 1t are
thrift and responsibility. A committee
whose members were picked for the
keenness of their insight into human
nature was appointed to name those
qualified to participate. Aside from the
two prime qualifications, married men
who live with and support their fam.
lilies. single men above the age OF
twenty-five of industrious habits ana
men and women upon whom relatives
are dependent are eligible.
At first the committees restrictions
limited the number of participants to
80 per cent. To-day S4iz per cent are
employed on a profit sharing basis. Al
though the dividends are put IN pay en-
velopes. a sharp distinction IS made pc
tween a share in the profits and an IN
crease in pay.
Periodically every employe IN the
shops is subject to examination TO de-
termine his qualifications for promo
ton and for participating in the proht
sharing scheme. No department fore
man can discharge a man out OF hand.
They can recommend his case to
clearing house. where the matter Is
sifted, and if the employe is simply
square peg in a round hole an EFFORT IS
made to find square hole for him.
Moving picture films entitled The
Ford Detroit Weekly" were shown;
They portrayed events OF the day and
scenes in the Ford shops, including a
reel called Making an American IL
showed the progress made by Russian
immigrant who entered the employ OF
the Ford company.