The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-12-29
Suggestions Made TO ManufaCt-
urers in Order By Chief Of
Ordnance Department.

The following is a summary of Gen.
eral Orders No. Is, issued by the chief
of ordnance Nov. Is. A similar order
has been issued by the quartermaster
while circumstances h are not such
as to render appropriate the issuance
Of definite orders. upon this subject
at the present time, the following sug-
gestions are commended to the careful
consideration of arsenal commanders
and manufacturers executing orders
for this department.:
I'm view of the urgent necessity for
prompt increase in the volume of
production of practically every article
required for tie conduct of the war,
vigilance is demanded Of all those in
any way associated with industry, lest
the safeguards with which the people
Of this country have sought to protect
labor should be unwisely and unneces-
sarily broken down.
Safeguards of Efficiency.
1T is q fair assumption that for the
most part these safeguards are the
mechanisms Of efficiency. Industrial
history proves that reasonable hours,
fair working conditions, and proper
wage scale are essential to high pro-
duction. During the war every at
tempt should be made to conserve in
every possible way all Of our achieve
ments in the way of social better
ment.. -
I'm the preparation of the following
memorandum no effort has been made
tn a ic1o .f0 .ni1
tie rules of conduct. The memoran:
dunn presents what may be considered
a fair, if tentative, basis of action.
1.-THE department wishes to be as
sured that the schedules of hours OBJ
viously excessive or wages distinctly
unfair or working conditions such as
should not be tolerated will certainly
be brought to. its attention. -:
Hours Of labor.
1. Daily hours-The days work should
not exceed the customary hours in the
ard already attained in the industry
and in the community: 1t should, GER
tainly not be longer than 10 hours for
an The aeo dri Moi in the industrial world is
toward an S-hour day as an efficiency
It has also been shown that hours OF
labor must be adapted: to the age and
the occupation.
2. Overtime.-The theory under
which we pay ''time and q half" for
overtime is a tacit recognition that 1t
Is usually unnecessary'and always un-
cess payment is q penalty and in
tended to act as deterrent. There is
no industrial abuse which needs closer
watching in times Of war;.
3. Shifts in continuous INDUSTRIES
Ehs hours r. per shifs a4 hSS1a be
T. Half holiday on saturday.-The
common custom in summer. and 1t is
advantageous throughout the year. es-
long the other days Of the week. The
working period on Saturday should
An occasional Shift OF two or three
hours on Saturday afternoons Is un-
cns S1ra II 81 bT tnS adds
overtime and paid for on that basis.
s. Hours pOsted-It Is desirable that
tn the e,,d hours %a Of labor for every tour
a., g: Holidays:-;The observance Of ma:
portunity for rest and relaxation which
t tenta to make production more salts.
z: one day Of rest in. .eyen.-one
gay OF rest in seven should be q uni
versal and invariable rule. ;,
III. Standards In Workrooms.
provisions for comfort and sanitation.
-.Extsttng legal standards to prevent
asanger from fire. accident, occupa--
% provide: good light adequate ven