The Detroit times., 1915-01-13
LIS LEARN
ENGLISH In
FORD PLAN
Enormous Production of Alto
mobiles Depends on Humn
Factor, Says SOciologis
TEACHING STAFF
RECRUITED IN FACTORY
Class Rooms Provided Where
Men Can Study Just a They
Come From Wok
BY JOHN r. LIE.
Originator Of the FORD sociological
nenartn m mt

BY JOHN r. LIE.
Originator Of the FORD sociological
Department.
The name Ford has cme to stand
for the highest ideals o efficiency In
modern industry Justhow this eff
cheney is acquired by he thousands
OF American and forsgn-born work.
men In the plant is veg often OF more
interest than the fact now coming 10
be an ordinary one, that 10000 ma
chimes are produced In a single
month. But this hormous produc'
ton OF automobiles never was so de-
pendent upon the nman factor In IN
dustry as IL Is toay, when there are
30 many outside hfiuences and agen-
cies seeking u Job men OF their EN-
cheney.
With the cooperation of the Detroit
association. bwever. the Ford plant
has been abb TO make very definite
contributionto the efficiency and the
hives OF a pousand or more men OF
Foreign extaction whose daily work
requires. bth for reasons OF safety
and PRODUCTIVITY. that they have a
PERSONALLY knowledge of the English
language Without this knowledge
our fortsn-born workmen are mere
machines devoid OF the uplifting
spark tat makes for higher ideals.
Ibetter pnhood and greater efficiency.
with Il however their efficiency Is
cincread at least 10 per cent, per-
haps rpre In many instances.
Now, It's men are learning English
lin roofs provided for them under the
Ford oof. Under the direction of the
Detro association. SO classes have
been organized, meeting twice each
week
TIL teaching STAFF has been secured
nntihly from the Ford plant. on the
yolliteer basis-the man who teaches
IA cass of foreigners does so on his
pw time because he wants TO be OF
seIice to the foreigner.
here is something in this spirit OF
h,nelfish service that appeals TO for
bin and native mind alike; and there
Immediately springs up a new bond
htwen employer and employe, all OF
lhich adds TO the efficiency OF the
korkeL TO say nothing of its effect
pon he tone or atmosphere OF the
plant.
The teachers OF these classes have
been ioremen, Office men. executives
md Jerks. little uncertain at hrst.
4 erhps, that they can render a SER
ice. but convinced at length that
neres a big opportunity. The sense
satisfaction and real benefit that
ms ONE TO the teachers themselves
frmsuch a service has already been
ire factor in inducing other men
toty the plan and to enlist them
sele for a similar service. In this
wa he industrial service movement
in n Ford plant is accomplishing al
mdas much for the teachers as for
th,nen. The foreman who teaches
hisen to speak the English language
sstlishes a new relationship which
,alnot fail TO bring the men and
I'D chief closer together and make
sht understand one another better.
iorance OF the English language
hahken a vast toll OF life and limD
"A hazardous industrial occupations;
fokn born men have been unable TO
unstand orders given in English,
WI the result that thousands or
TIL have been manned and killed,
Inte instruction Of the men at the
Fdplant II Is possible to cut down
thercentage of accidents to mark
edtgree. This naturally makes for
Innsed efficiency for there is great
rsention to danger signals and
btt understanding OF the hazards
NJ WI must accompany certain types
N oflchinery. and work. Besides an
III inii workman can not be efficient;
~ th,xpense to industry of bringing
iantIred workman back TO the point
nj tch he started is enormous; II
NJ is oh more economical and busl-
nese not to injure him in the first
II placor then his efficiency is unin-
Fl tered.
NJ foreign-born workmen took
NJ adyige formerly OF the opportunity
N offe them by the public schools to
NJ learhe English language, but the
N systin use there was so inadequate
y and little adapted to their adult
NJ oeethat the men gave up the Ell
form the use OF the Peter Roberts
N met of instruction however, this
! djaty has been overcome and the
mearn rapidly and easily.
NJ TFord company has provided in
IA strpn in rooms where the men are
& notbjected to public gaze and
M whitney can atlenu CLASS just %
II theme from work though most OF
thelect to come with clean hands
III andes. The men on the day shift
N baheir instruction at 3 p. m. Re
III rera number of classes have been
oraed for men on the night shifts.
civ them an opportunity to study
81 FINN in the afternoon before going
to X.
feature OF the general welfare
ri wdn which the Ford company is
Fl entd. instruction in English cannot
n heed as secondary. II is proving.
4 int. to be OF as much importance
az sociological work, for until men
ha,een improved mentally through
tbdnterest in learning the Ian
r. an they are hardly ready TO under.
goy great change in their social or
Iiy conditions. and that is one Of
thine purposes OF the Ford plan.
f pitchfork Old AS Nation
VHITA Kan Jan. IA pitch
80 Tho dav George Washing.