The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-06-06
PLAN OF INDUSTRIAL
DEMOCRACY WORKING
WITH HUGE SUCCESS

New York, June Manufacturer,
and union labor leaders an over IN,
/ United States are said to be watching
with Interest and sympathy the cX
pertinent in Industrial democracy which
Is now being conducted in five cities
/ Fort Wayne, Ind, shelton, Conn, Cleve
| land, ohio, Paterson, y. j., and Brook
lyn, n. Y.-and which. It is believed by
some of them, will scotch If it does not
prevent bolshevism in industrial cen
ters whore II is put into effect.
The originator of the plan, John
Leitch, an efficiency engineer, started
II among 300 employees of a Fort Wayne
piano factory. Its basis was the con
stitution Of the United States. The fac
tory was administered By a senate, a
house of representatives and cabinet
corresponding to the aids ana advisors
of the president Its success is said
to have been immediate and permanent,
Yale university, the national council of
defence ana the National Association of
Manufacturers are said to be a few of
the bodies that are investigating the
merits of the plan.
Il. Edmund David, head of a silk man
ufacturing corporation in Paterson. n.
j., who was instrumental in introducing
the system in his factory in that city
about year ago, expressed today the
keenest satisfaction at the results at.
tained and said he hoped ultimately, to
establish similar working conditions in
four other of his mills in York. Reading
DO.
Paterson manufacturer. however, said
the new system should not be consid
cred "panacea" or adaptable to all
kinds and sizes of industrial establish.
mcnts.
Its outstanding feature" said Mr.
David lis the uugrudging recognition
on the part of the employer of the work
er's right to voice in the determine.
ton Of matters whith are of vital inter.
est to him which lends the additional
dignity to his position which self gov
ornament invariably carries with it,"
industrial democracy or constitution.
alism in industry" he said was first
explained to the workers. a broad and
fundamental set of rules adopted which
was to guide management and workers.
The four CornerstoneS of this business
edifice We're justice. cooperation, econ
omy and energy. Its capstone was serv-
ice. This policy, as the supreme law
of the establishment, has never failed
to suggest solution when troublesome
questions arise"
In proof of the systems practicability
Mr., David pointed out that last winter
when almost every other silk mill in
Paterson was closed as the result of
strike, the David mill was not affected
but maintained full production and was
kept in continuous operation as by mem
bcrs of one contented and harmonious
family.
Explaining the operation of the plan,
Mr.. David said the cabinet consists of
the executive officers of the company,
chosen by directors of the corporation.
1t has the power to veto and may in
tiate Legislation" as well as make sug-
sestions to the senate and house.
Neither the senate or house are oh.
gated to adopt the cabinets recommen-
lations and when they do they have the
power to amend them. The cabinet, |
therefore,, instead of issuing orders, is |
merely part of the democratic control |
If the whole plant.
The senate" explained Mr. David, "is .
composed of the foreman and depart
nent heads. 1t may initiate Legislation
which, before going to the cabinet for