The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1919-06-10
OPERATION Of THE
SILK MILL IS TOLD
BY EDMUND DAVID

NEW YORK, June 9--Sitting before
pile of letters from manufacturers
all over the United States, hundreds
Of them, all asking him for informa-
tion as to the success of the indus
trial democracy plan in operation in
his silk mill in Paterson, N. j., b. Ed
mund David explained in his office
here today the advantages of the sys.
TEN and the difficulties of installing
1t in the average factory
There is no doubt" said Mr.. David,
that the plan, which is based upon the
idea of Constitutional government,
creates a better basis of understand
ing between management and work
er than is possible under the old sys-
tenn.
1T is the means of settling every
question of wages, hours, and working
conditions that may arise and, through
the constant, close, personal contact
between employer and employee, ia
cilitates such settlements to consid-
cradle degree. 1t tends to the elimin-
alton of wasteful methods and minim-
ICES friction. It stimulates the work
er's interest in his work and, best
of all, 1t puts the human touch, into
the relations between employer and
employee, the one thing more essen
tial to industrial peace than all others
combined.
II have never known of an indus.
trial subject that appealed to popular
imagination so much as this does
This idea will spread because every
manufacturer who is alive to the times
Is looking for some system that will
ease up 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. 1t is purely
give and take and live and let
live idea.
"If manufacturer goes into it ex-
pecting to make 1t pay financially or
If he expects immediate returns he
will be disappointed. Such an atti-
tude would foredoom him to failure.
We have discovered that it is a slow
process rof education for both sides
managers and workers.
"Tact, diplomacy, ingenuity and a
desire to see absolute justice done are
requisites for the success of 'democ-
racy in industry Problems are con-
stantly arising that require gentle
handling, chiefly because of misunder-
standing. The, systems great value
lies in its aid In clearing away mis-
understandings. 1t virtually uncOv-
ers all of the elements that make for
possible dissatisfaction and thus be-
comes kind of safety valve so that,
instead of workers nursing grudges or
grievances they come to the light to
be remedied or removed.
~ IN Ill ChpCIoiNC luhlUE IL
one merely regards 1t from the stand
point of dollars and cents. 1t means
that the firm adopting it is bound to
pay the top notch wages for that in
dustry, 1t means you must employ a
Superintendent of Personnel and that
the aspirations and desires of your
workers must receive as constant at
tention as the production of your
plant. Meetings of workers. ON the
company's time, cost money, too. The
workers in my Paterson mill are now
the most contented lot ever had.
"The government of the mill, as now
in operation, is practically along the
liens Of the government of the United
States and rests with three bodies
chosen by the company executive, the
foreman and the workers and known
as the Cabinet, the Senate and the
House of Representatives. continued
Mr.. David.
'TwO strong features of the system
are very active committee called the
COmmitte on Suggestions, appointed
by the House, and Board of Appeals.
The latter was formulated under a
resolution which provides that COM
plants and matters of dispute shall
be referred to the Board of Appeals,
composed of the Presidents and five
other members of the Senate and
House. II the decision Is unsatisfac-
tory to either side appeal may be
taken to the Cabient which consists
of the executive officers of the CON-
pany.
prizes are offered for suggestions
for the betterment of the service or
benefit OF the workers or the COM
pany and from ten to twenty-five sug.
gestions are received weekly. Fifty
percent OF them receive awards. Thus
industrial democracy is utilizing the
brains of the employe"
Mr.. David expressed the hope that
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