New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-11
BY c. ]. Butler
President Detroit Factory, United
States Tire Co.
President

AS one of the large manufacturing
companies of the country which has
employed women to do work formerly
done by men, the United States Tire
Company has carefully observed the
work of its women tiremakers, with
view to ascertaning their efficiency
and the special conditions which must
be provided if their work is to bring
u maximum of results.
We have already learned that one
point always to be kept III mind is
that manufactures cannot rush pro-
ductou with female labor. The process
Of speeding up and constantly urging
the female laborer to greater efforts
has been found to be entirely wrong
Women will not stand being hurried
and will become nervous and irritable.
and keep after him, and the man will
be none the worse for his more siren
uous efforts, as he will take things
cooliy, but women quickly give way
under such conditions to a display of
nerves.
In our employment of women the
state laws regulating hours and fac
tory conditions are, rigidiy Observed
and in addition to this careful atten-
OF the women. The health of the wom-
en- is not affected by the nature Of
the work they do, as there are no
chemicals to contend WITH and no wom-
en- are put to work which requires ex-
cesslve strain.
Cannot Stand Too Long
In building tires these women do no
heavy lifting, but there is constant
play of the muscles of the body and
arms which, if not overdone, furnishes
I, healthful exercise. The only bad ef-
fects that we have observed among the
female employees results from standing
at work for too long period This
excessive standing occasionally causes
woman to drop out because Of
trouble with the feet, legs or back.
put THIS trouble is not confined en-
tirely to women, as nearly an eouaf
number of men quit for the same
cause. The workrooms are light and
airy and the greatest pains are taken
TO keep them sp0tlessly clean.
hen we first started to employ
women it was source of surprise and
qualification to us to note the bust
nesslke, earnest and painstaking man
ner in which they attacked the work.
lhey seemed to be more interested in
learning than the new male employees
and appeared to grasp the work more
readily. This quickness to learn has
find that women factory workers upon
being placed on any operation which
requires natural skill and dexterity
Will grasp the work more quickly than
men and will progress faster in the
initial stage of learning
We have noted, however, that al
though the men are somewhat slower
IN learning new operations, thew will
at the end of six weeks or two months
have speeded up their work to such an
extent that the individual output of a
man will surpass that of a woman
On an average the ultimate limit of 81
woman's capacity appears to be about
10 to 80 per cent of a mans capacity.
We pay the women tiremallers ex
actly the same piece rate as men ar,
paid on the same operations, but the
hourly rate of the women when the,
start is slightly less than that of the
+ men. When they have attained pro
cheney, women in our factory earn
first class wages
Women Steady Workers
Our experience shows that womer
axe as much interest in their work as
men, and that they work steadily and
are not inclined to change from one
position to another. To bring about
| his condition it is necessary. of
course, that the foreman be intelligent
and make the employees fully satisfied
| { the foreman gives the women proper
instructions and takes an interest in
their work, the employees show quick,
responsive interest and loyalty
Tn matters of discipline we show no
distinction between male and female
employees. Men and women work to.
ether IN the same rooms and there
have been no annoying Incidents The
women arc of a surprisingly high typc
| Intelligence and responsibility. and
have "on the respect of every one in
the factories. No singing, loud talk
oP or looling IS permitted at any
time.
n" experiment of trying women ms
nspcctors has proved success. The
flrls Will work under women inspec-
'fs AZ readily as under mon, but
much depends, of course, upon the per
| on nbD 10 doinr thn eupo ry;c;,, rr