Omaha daily bee., 1919-09-01
BODY
DETERMINES PAY
OF ALL WORKERS
Actual Control Of Production
\ of Rock Island Arsenal
Shops in Mems
Hands.

Washington, Aug. 3l.-Actual
control of the production activi-
ties of the Rock Island arsenal
harness shops, including appoint
ment of foremen and the deter
mination of the prices to be paid
workmen has been turned over to
committee of the employees. This
became known today when Secre-
tary Baker made public correspon-
dence between the War department
and representative of the employees.
Matters of administration are left
with the regular management, but
even bids submitted on contracts
are influenced by the committees.
In carrying out the new plan,
which is characterized in the cor
respondence as the first recog-
milton of the principle of denloc-
racy as applied to the manufacture
ing industry" an arsenal order
branch has been established in the
ordnance department here to obtain
orders from governmental agencies.
An advisory committee of en-
ployes' representatives is included
in, this branch, who actively as
sist in figuring cost when bid
ding for work"
Result Works Out Well.
Official reports to Secretary Ba-
ker assert that the result has been
not only greatly increased the effic-
,iency and contentment among the
workmen, according to a memoran-
featuring costs.
1t was learned tonight that the
system soon would be extended to
other departments OF the Rock
Island arsenal, and if found Sue
cessful, would be placed in oper-
ton in. all United States arsenals.
Development of the new system,
the announcement today said, grew
out of the situation Immediately
following the signing of the arm
istice. when it became apparent that
the operating force would be re-
duced for lack of work, but the
necessity for a change had been
foreseen even before the war. "A
condition of antagonism and dis
trust had grown prior to the war
between the management and the
workmen, according to memeran-
dunn submitted by the employees
committee, as result of the at
tempted introduction of "so-called
scientific management methods" and
the men finally found their only
recourse was to place deliberate
limit on production"
Removed All Limits.
On the outbreak of war, how
ever, it was said, the men volun-
tarily removed these limits, insist
ing only that piecework prices
should not be reduced without their
consent. Instances are cited of the
men recommending reduction in
piecework prices in order that the
arsenal could secure additional or
ders and of voluntarily agreeing
to work during lunch hours in or
der that an order which had been
figured very closely" might be
filled.
In letter to Secretary Baker, r.
L. Corniek and James L. McCort.
employees representatives on the ar
senal orders branch, summarize the
result as follows:
Primarily, the employees deem
that they no longer feel like mere
employees, simply bent on holding
down a job. quite apart from their
conception of life, for no other pur-
pose than the earning of wages, the
only crude means available to them
for securing the necessaries and per-
haps little of the better things of
life. They are beginning to see
that they are on their way toward
becoming partners in a large en-
terprise that is manufacturing use
full things for their government"