South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-15
FLOOD
To CREATOR Of
INDUSTRY PLAN
New Jersey Manufacturer Has
Idea to Eliminate Labor
Troubles.

NJ Oftkr June IA SltfinE
before a pile OF letters from manu-
facturers all over the United States.
hundreds Of them. ali asking him for
information as 20 the success Of the
Industrial economy" plan in oper-
alton is his silk mill in Paterson. ~.
J.. r. Edmund David explained in
HIS office today the advantages OF the
system and the difficulties Of INSTALL
ing II in the average factory.
There IS no doubt. said Mr. Da-
vid. that the plan. which is based
upon the idea OF constitutional gov
eminent, creates "a better basis OF
understanding between management
and worker than IS possible under
the old system.
settles LabOrcr's Questions
1T is the means Of settling every
question Of wages. hours. and work
ing conditions that may arise and,
through me constant, close. personal
contact between employer and en-
ploye facilitates such settlements to
a considerable degree. II tends %
elimination OF wastfuI methods and
minimiZes friction. IL stimulates the
workers interest in his work. and
best OF all. IL puts the human touch
into the relations between employer
and employe. the one thing more
essential to industrial peace than all
others combined
II have never known OF an indus
trial subject that appealed 10 popu-
lar Imagination so much as this does
This idea will spread because every
manufacturer who is alive 10 the
times is looking for some system
that Will ease mp "a situation that has
rapidly been growing from bad To
worse. the relation between capital
and labor. But let no one think the
plan is easy or that it is one-sided
II is purely a give and take and "a
live and let live idea
Not Financial Plan.
IF a manufacture goes into #
expecting 20 make it pay financial
"" or IL he expects immediate re-
tul rs he will be disappointed Such
an attitude would foredoom him 10
failure We have discovered that 1t
Is a slow process Of education for
both sides-managers and workers
Tact. diplomacy. ingenuity and a
desire TO see absolute justice done
are requisites for the success Of de-
mocracy in industry Problems are
constantly arising that require gen
tie handling. chiefly because Of mis-
understanding. The systems great
value lies in its aid in clearing away
4 . -Fv-sr u..n Tr-
covers all OF the elements that make
for possible dissatisfaction and thus
becor~es a kind OF safety valve so
that. instead OF workers nursing
grudges or grievances they come 20
the light TO be remedied or emOved.
Takes Funds to Create.
1T is an expensive undertaking
IL one merely regards il from the
standpoint OF dollars and cents. II
means that the firm adopting IL is
bound to pay the top notch wages
for that industry. 1t means YOU
must employ a superintendent OF
personnel and that the aspirations
and desires OF your wOrkes must
receive as constant attention as the
production OF your plant Meetings
or workers. on the cOmpany'S time
cost money. etc. The workers in
my Paterson mill are not the most
contented lot I ever had
The government of the mill, as
now I'm operation. IS practically along
the lines OF the government of the
United States and rests with three
bodies chosen by the company exec
4 Il ,r-
and known as the cabinet. the sen
ate and the house of representa-
tives." continued Mr. David.
Employs and Employers Cooperate
Two strong features OF the sys-
tenn are a very active committee
called the committee Of suggestions
appointed by the house and a board
OF appeals The latter was fCrmu-
lated under a resolution which pro
vides that complaints and matters OF
dispute shall be referred 10 the board
OF appeals. composed OF the presl
dents and I'VE other members of the
senate and house II the decision j:
unss tisfactiry to either side appea
may be taken 10 the cabinet which
consists OF the executive officers OF
the company.
Prizes are offered for sugges
lions for the betterment Of the serv
ice or benefit OF the workers or the
company and from 10 to 20 sugges
lions are received weekly. Fifty per
cent OF them receive awards. Thus
Industrial democracy is utilizing th'
brains OF the employee
Mr. David expressed the hope tina
II il were conclusively proved tina
the plan is feasible its adoption
should be promoted bv COMPRESSION
al or government recognition.