The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-12

Kent S statement of the process by which overtime and excessive labor generally defeats it's own end. At first, there is no falling off in production, but as time goes on the output gradually lessens and equilibrium is established. It is as if there is only so much energy available in the human system. Under a reason- able arrangement of hours certain output can be obtained and in the in- terval of rest the used energy is restored. Overtime is introduced and for a time the system responds to the extra call, drawing perhaps from a stored up re- serve of energy. When that is exhausted, however, nature steps in and restores the equilibrium by reducing the output over the longer period to an equality with, or even something below, the former output during normal hours.
 CONCLUSIONS OF KENT
 The following conclusions; in Professor Rents report on the development of fa- tigue are worth giving in full:
 Existing industrial conditions lead to an increase of the normal development of fatigue and to a diminution of the nor nal power of recovery. Members of the office staff may show signs of fatigue and overstrain equally with the factory hands
 Development of fatigue and recovery are concomitant processes. The rates of the accumulation and disappearance of fatigue are determined by the relative activity of production and recovery.
 Ordinary tests give the resultant of these two processes, which is useful prac- ticaIly, as indicating the existing state, or fitness of the worker.
 Development of fatigue preponderates during labor, recovery preponderates dur ing rest. During the day fatigue accu- mulates. During the night the accumu- lation is dissipated. The effect, however, of the recovery may not show itself on Monday, when coordination is disturbed owing to abstention from labor. Where no work is done on Monday, the effect may be transferred to Tuesday.
 Power of recovery is greater at the beginning of period. day and week, than towards their end Fatigue production Is less rapid towards the beginning than towards the end.
 Since production is greatest and re- covery is least towards the end of pe- riod day, and week, fatigue accumula- tion is then at it's maximum.
 "A lengthening of period day, or week, leads to increased fatigue accumulation. The distribution of overtime days affects the result.
 Under present conditions, production
 
 rapid from day to day; recovery be- comes less rapid. Thus fatigue accum- lates, and 'balancing.' which tends to diminish fatigue by diminishing appli- cation, is introduced. Production and recovery are restored to the normal, and accumulated fatigue is dissipated, by the weekend rest.
 'Where the week end rest is sus- pended. fatigue will persist.
 FATIGUE RESULTS IN LOSS
 Residual fatigue, resulting from in adequate rest leads to lowered ef- ficiency and lessened output.
 overtime labor, when performed by tired worker, results in an amount of fatigue out of proportion to the length and severity of the labor. Fa- tigue production is increased and re- covery is lessened by overtime.
 'The fatigue which follows a period of overtime is influenced by the pre- vious condition of the worker.
 An increase in the amount of over time worked in given period will pro- duce an increase of fatigue out of pro- portion to the increased time.
 Overtime periods worked on con secutive days produce more fatigue than if separated by days of ordinary length.
 "Overtime introduced late in the week produces more fatigue than if in- troduced earlier.
 Overtime produces different re- suits in different individuals accord ing to constitution, habits, and nutri- tion, and also according to varying fitness It may lead to serious waste of time.
 OTHER BAD EFFECTS
 Overtime, even when nA leading to injurious fatigue, is deleterious to health as necessitating long hours spent in the atmosphere and surround