Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1917-05-18
PROMOTING The :
HAPPY FAMILY PLAN IN
AMERICAN. INDUSTRY
How One Corporation Works In
Harmony With Its Men.
An INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACY

All Grievances Presented by Men
Through Representatives Reach Head
Of Company and Are Honestly lnvss-
tcated. FeN
Fur moro than year large ana
progressive industrial corporation with
plants scattered over large territory
~ several states Of the southwest has
been improving its relations with its
employees through the medium Of So
,ailed industrial representation plan
an Industrial constitution drawn on
basis OF democracy and mutual conf
dence between the head Of the COM
pany aud the workmen who number
from 10000 to 1900
To deni with the diverse interests
of such q vast body Of men is serious
task involving stern responsibilities.
Nevertheless the company. through its
representation plan. has not only car
rel on social and Industrial betterment
work On a comprehensive scale but has
succeeded In settling all grievances
without friction and without interfer-
enee from the outside. During the
year several increases In pay bave
been nude upon the initiative of the
company.
Altogether the plan has demonstrat-
ed itself 10 an important forward step
In the establishment OF amicable re-
lations between al the factors In In
dustry. a more widespread adoption
" OF such schemes IN plants and fae-
tories is heartily recommended by the
broad minded manufacturers OF the
country who have started the NafionaI
industrial Conservation Movement for
the purpose of getting employers ana
employees together. The supporters
of the conservation movement realize
that the captain of industry and the
workingman must light 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
a referendum vote of the workmen.
By secret ballot the workmen In the.
sumpany's various plants select repre-
sentatives who act as their authorized
agents in all matters pertaining to en-
ployment, living and working condi-
tions. the adjustment OF differences.
and other matters Of mutual concern
aud interest. On the other hand. the
president keeps I'm direct touch with
the work men through officers knowm
ms presidents Industrial representa-
tives.
Employees have boen made to under
stand that they are absolutely free to
present ali their grievances even
though they involve charges against
the foremen or superintcndents under
whom they work. Through the work
meu's Representatives the complaints
are referred to the presidents industri.
u, representatives. who In turn investi-
gale them carefully and report their
findings In detail to the president.
In every case the grievances have
been investigated fearlessiy and i'm
partially and adjustments have been
made on a strict basis OF fairness. ir-
respective of whether the award was
IN favor OF the workman or the COM
rany official. The workman. dissatis-
fled 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. II he still feels that
he has not received fun justice. he can
carry bis case to the Joint committee
an Industrial Cooperation and concilia.
ton comprised Of both employees. rep
r.sentatives and the coinpany's repre-
sruiations. and finally to the State In.
dustrial Commission.
coafsr on Wage Increases.
Cnder the industrial constitution
drawn up matters OF wages. hours OF
service and other vital factors In the
company's relations with its employees
are settled by a written contract In
rreases In wages are worked out In
conference between company officials
AMI the workmen's representatives.
In all matters Of Industrial better
mrnt the employees representatives
play an important part They are az
signed to joint committees on which
they serve with Representatives Of the
company. The names Of these corn-
mIttees-safety and Accidents. Santa
ticn. Health ana Housing. and RAcrsa-
zion and Education--give an adequate
idea Of the broad scope oS the compa.
nys interest IN fts empiayees. 10
euTrs ont the schemes epdprsod By tire