Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-07-31
FACTORY CASUALTIES.

in glittering generalities and surmises.
as is very frequently the case in such
presentments, the statement of facts
concerning the shoe as a source of
trouble and the deductions therefrom
have been questioned. This justifies
a repetition and application of the
main facts and principles cited in the
former paper.
Because it is officially recorded and
accepted as evidence of weakness In
organizations on which the great ma
lions expect to rest the defense OF
their national life, we take it for
granted that the statement that the
shoe is the source of a general disa-
bility from foot excavations in the
shoe wearing armies of the world
amounting to at least 80 per cent will
be accepted as approximately correct
Soldiers wear shoes chosen more for
the purpose of protection and comfort
than for any consideration Of appear
ance The civilian, on the other hand,
especially if young and inexperienced,
considers style and what others may
think of his foot-gear above every
thing else. Now, if selected physical
specimens Of hardy, trained men using
their best efforts to secure comfort
and efficiency experience 80 per cent
disability from shoes so chosen. 1t is
not unreasonable to assume that even
a higher rate prevails among civil
ians; and this is undoubtedly the
chief reason why so few persons have
the walking habit these days-they
cannot walk because their shoes will
not permit them to do so in comfort
That too is why SO many flabby mus
cled, pasty faced men and women are
q, seen on our streets. Such stock is
timid and cowardly, and is easily
thrown into panic or disease, and is
therefore logical source of origin for
many social and industrial ills.
The margin of safety in many indus
tries is the matter of a fraction of an
inch, and anything, whether 1t be an
ear-ache, a tooth-ache or foot-ache
that diverts the mind from the work
|
and general muscular control, and the
loss of SO much as that fraction of an
inch means inevitable mutilation.
) Statistics covering accidents in fac
tories in Illinois for a period Of one
year show that between the hours of
and o'clock in the morning there
were 100 accidents, and this number
steadily and progressively Increased
until in the hour between II and II,
noon, 257 accidents were recorded
Then between l and 2 o'clock, after
noon, Ill accidents occurred, and the
number again increased progressively
hour after hour until, between and 5
o'clock the maximum OF 260 accidents
was reached. This shows a total OF
517 accidents in the fatigued state as
against 231 accidents when approx.
mately fresh. And carefully note the
difference between the first morning
r hours and the first afternoon hours
The difference between the early
: morning hour and the early afternoon
hour Is comparatively slight, but it is
highly significant in that it points to
personal negligence on the part of the
operator between the hours of p. m
t and a. m 1t brings the subject OF
t social conditions in the home to the
front, opens up the matter of personal
hygiene, Of sleeping quarters, of hab
: it's OF food, drink, smoking, and every.
: thing that takes place outside the fac
5 tory.
7 The writer frankly confesses that
}, as the result of observations made in
t some twelve or more states, II he were
: manufacturer, a banker or a mer,
chant he would not employ any person
I with pinched and sore feet to operate
: any power machine capable of injur.
: ing the operator or a fellow employee
=, or to handle or account for any mate
4 rial sums of money, or to transact any
$ business requiring eXactness and ex-
I ecutive ability. For it is demonstrated
: beyond the shade of a doubt that NO
t mind can consciously entertain two
= impressions at the same time, and
t therefore keen and sustained alertness
r is impossible to any individual under
physical irritation.
Y In the unity of materials, machinery
S and men that constitutes the modern
i factory organization, the most impor.
A tant factor is the men. Every concern
r of any size has its purchasing agents
8 its inspectors and laboratories to ex.
Q anime and test incoming and outgoing
e materials; It's machinists and invent.
4 ors to keep the mechanical part to a
t standard of efficiency; but little at.
Q tention has been given the most fun.
l. damental of all the factors-the men.
I Efficiency depends on close attention
= imagination and the ability for quick
S adjustment. Unexpected and suddenly
= occurring complications demand in
slant decision without time for reflec.
g ton, and herein the man under irrita.
: ton becomes source Of danger to
r himself and to his fellow employees