The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-11

this increase be q good thing for them.
o. win II tempt them into personal
habits which for men in their present
condition are extravaganza
In covering this point Mr. Ford points
ont that hts company has what II terms
q sociological department to hook after
such cases, and where IL finds a man
whose head II apt to he turned because
he receives twice a. much az before IL
will reason with him. point out the
danger of his continuing to be careless
and wasteful and help him TO check
such tendency.
Right here. it - pointed out by some
who are carefully scanning the whole
proposition. may be a weak point in the
scheme. for 1t IL we'll known fact that
the average man In America believes
that he has q right to do with his earn
!'ings pretty much rs ne chooses To
keep tabs on a large number Of men
unexpectedly lifted to comparative
afnuence and to reason with them with
out arousing hostile feelings on their
part Ii not unlikely to require tact and
diplomacy Of rare order. Those in full
sympathy with the altruistic aims Of
Mr.. Ford and his associates believe.
however. that the sympathy they are
showing by reason of the generous
policy will prove to any reasonable
workman that they have fts hest in
, terests truly at heart and that no man
OF sense would be offended or indignant
should the sociological department seek
To advise him. II Is to be remembered
nevertheless, that common sense is one
OF the uncommon attributes, taking
human nature by and large
Further than this. however. goes the
Ford policy In connection with this
sociological department. Details OF its
fun scope have not been made public.
but In a general way II is understood
20 study the welfare Of factory and
once employees IN every direction: to
look after their health. to aid in their
recreational opportunities. the educa-
riuR Of their children and In every legiti-
mate way to further their general we'll
being.
Now one Of the features of the ideal.
btic programme In Mr.. Ford's insistence
that no employee shall I've DISCHARGED
II 1t Is possible to keep him doing good
work. There are many fields in his
great industry, opportunities for porters.
laborers. bookkeepers. accountants, me-
chanics. engineers, electricians painters.
cabinetmakers. draughtsmen. statesmen,
|
When an employee fails to make good
In any one department his foreman may
have him transferred, but not dis
charged.
Mr.. Ford realizes that many square
peg IN fftted into round hole by force
q circumstances. He has faith In
human nature. He believes. and indeed
has proved to hts own satisfaction. that
In numbers Of instances man Is re-
ported to be inefficient simply because
he has not been given work that he
enjoys doing and can do well There
fore. when a foreman asles to hive an
employee transferred, that employee ia
tried out In one branch Of the business
after another until he finds the niche
that he can AL to his own satisfaction
and 20 the sntisfartion of the company
This in itsel: Is unusual In this present
are Of hustle and rush and competition
for Jobs large and small.
AZ to the effect on employees of other
manufacturing concerns, that cannot be
Gauged M yet. Doubtless many among
them may he env!ous and take the
ground that they are as much
entitled to extraordinary financial