The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-04-20
PROMOTING THE
HAPPY FAMILY PLAN IN
AMERICAN INDUSTRY
How One Corporation Works 10
Harmony With Its Men.
An INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACY

| Al Grievances Presented BY Msv
Through Representatives Reach Hsas
Of Company and Are Honestly invss.
| tioatsd.
For more than q year a large and
progressive industrial corporation with
| plants scattered over large territory
In several states Of the southwest has
been improving its relations with its
employees through the medium Of a 80.
called industrial representation plan
an Industrial constitution drawn on q
basis Of democracy and mutual conf
dence between the head Of the CON-
pany and the workmen who number
from 10000 to 1900.
To deal with the diverse interests
Of such vast body of men is serious
task involving stern responsibilities.
Nevertheless the company. through its
representation plan. has not only car
ried on social and industrial betterment
work on a comprehensive scale but has
succeeded In settling all grievances
without friction and without interior
ence from the outside. During the
year several increases in pay have
been made upon the initiative Of the
company.
Altogether the plan has demonstrate
ed itself to an important forward step
in the establishment Of amicable re-
lations between all the factors In in
dustry. A more widespread adoption
Of such schemes In plants and fac
tories Is heartily recommended by the
broad minded manufacturers Of the
country who have started the National
Industrial Conservation Movement for
the purpose Of getting employers and
employees together. The supporters
of the conservation movement realize
that the captain Of industry and the
workingman must fight shoulder to
shoulder to protect American industry
against conditions that are sure to
prevail after the War.
Workers Elect Representatives.
The Industrial Representation plan
was adopted In its present form by
the directors Of the company and by
q referendum vote Of the workmen.
BY secret ballot the workmen In the
company's various plants select repre-
sentatives who act as their authorized
agents In all matters pertaining to en-
ployment, living and working condi-
tons, the adjustment Of differences.
and other matters of mutual concern
and interest. On the other hand, the
president keeps in direct touch with
the workmen through officers known
as presidents Industrial representa-.
lives.
Employees have been made to under
stand that they are absolutely free to
present all their grievances even
though they involve charges against
the foremen or superintendent under
whom they work. Through the work.
mems Representatives the complaints
are referred to the presidents industri-
al representatives. who In turn investi-
gate them carefully and report their
findings in detail to the president
In every case the grievances have
been investigated fearlessly and i'm
partially and adjustments have been
made on a strict basis Of fairness. IT.
respective of whether the award was
In favor Of the workman or the com.
pany official. The workman. dissatis-
fed with the decision Of the presi.
dents industrial representatives. can
appeal to the higher officers of the COM
pany In consecutive order up to the
president. Then. If he still feels that
he has not received full justice. he can
carry his case to the joint committee
on Industrial Cooperation and concilia-
ton. comprised Of both employees, rep
resentatives and the company's repre-
sensations, and finally to the State In
dustrial Commission.
Confer on Wage Increases.
Under the Industrial constitution
drawn mp matters Of wages, hours of
service and other vital factors In the
company's relations with its employees
are settled by written contract In
creases in wages are worked out In
conference between company officials
and the workmen's representatives.
In all matters Of Industrial better
ment the employees representatives
play an important part They are as
signed to joint committees on which
they serve with representatives of the
company. The names Of these COM
mittees-Safety and Accidents. Santa
don. Health and Housing. and Recrea.
don and Education-give an adequate
Idea Of the broad scope of the compa-
ny's interest In its employees. To
carry out the schemes endorsed by the
committees the company has spent
money and effort unstintingly, although
1t has always avoided any semblance
OF paternalism.
Since the Inauguration of the plan
the company has enlarged its previous
programme Of providing model homes
for its employees who live on company
property. The company Is fencing, free
Of charge. each employees home. A
series of prizes Is given every year for
the cultivation Of lawns and gardens.
Many Of the workers own their own
automobiles. At the plants garages
have been provided. with stalls rented
to employees at o moderate rate
IpdssiTiGi Conservation. A. y.