The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1916-02-04
Continued from Page u


on their part. In all the years of the
industry they had utterly failed to
take employees into their confidence
and give them any accurate idea of
the business. Not one employe in a
hundred knew exactly the operating
cost, the real margin of profit or loss.
They knew that in some years the
mill men made immense profits; they
only knew in a general way when
things went bad. The mills closed
down because of bad market condi-
tons, that was all there was to it.
A real knowledge of manufacturing
and marketing conditions on the part
of the employees would have made
them more sympathetic, more willing
to adjust their wage scale when en-
ployers could no longer meet the con-
ditionS, or cooperate in lessening OPP
Grating cost some other way, There
is much loose talk about employees
being partners in the business" If
they are, they ought to know some
thing about the business end of it.
The United Mine Workers of Amer
gressive organization, progressive 70
the point of radicalism. Yet they
have found the trade agreement to be
the only possible way to adjust the
thousand and one working problems
that daily arise without constant fric-
ton, strikes and lockouts. The tim
Der industry is very similar in that
working conditions in no two camps
or plants are exactly alike, many of
the workmen are in isolated commune
ties; there is large foreign element,
clashing of racial temperament and
characteristics. In my belief the in
dustry cannot be permanently organ
lied save on a trade agreement basis.
Any other method invites constant ir-
ritation and chaos caused by perpet-
ual strikes and lockouts, during the
progress of which it is hard to do con-
structive work I sincerely trust that
the single weavers have learned
these lessons and will rebuild their
organization on an enduring basis.
SHOP SAFETY
The State Labor Commissioner
working in conjunction with the In
dustrial Insurance Commission in
March, 1914, began a shop safety
campaign in the industries of the
state. Many accidents are attributed
to the ignorance or carelessness of
! employees, condition which no posi-
BILE safeguarding of machinery can
entirely remedy. The cooperation of
employers was sought, an appeal be-
ing made both to humanitarian in.
stinct and the obvious financial bene-
fit to be derived from a reduction of
accidents. Bulletins and cards We're
posted conspicuously in plants bear
ing printed precautions and sugges-
lions to employees. Shop safety com
I IllllttS were VI SdlIlLtu 40 HlSl do
six hundred plants have carried on
this work, the number varying, due
to shifting of the men composing the
committees, lack of sustained inter
est on the part of both employers and
employees The latest estimate is five
hundred shop committees, averaging
three employees to the committee. 1t
is the practice to hold monthly meet
ings at which shop conditions are dis
cussed and safety recommendations
decided upon. A survey is now being
made to determine as far as possible
how far this work has resulted in a
lessening of accidents. A laXity upon
the part of both employers and EN-
ployes is admitted. Some employers
appoint committees and do nothing
further. Employees change employ
ment, changing the personnel OF com
mittees and general interest lessons
. Employers could aid greatly in this
work if they would adopt the plan in
general use in the mining industry
They might hang up prizes for practi
cal suggestions thought out by EN-
ployes, appoint the committees from
among the steadiest class of work
men in their employ, meet with them
regularly, offering and receiving sug
gestions. give them half day month
" or semi-monthly, or an hour or tive
weekly, on company time, to eX
change ideas and drill picked crews
in first aid and descue work. Il
would be the wisest investment finan
! cially any employer could make anc
would develop that most valuable as
set an employer can have harmoni
one buman relationship between EN-