Arizona republican., 1919-09-01
NPLOYEs GIVEN
 MANAGE MEN I
 IF ARMY SHOPS
Active Control of Arsenal Branch Turned Over to Employees Committee by Baker Is Gibson Upright Play Come to Life
[RspubIIean A. Leased wirel

WASHINGTON, Aug. sf.-Acfusl control of the production activities of the Rock Island arsenal harness shops including appointment of foremen and the determination of prices to be pafJ workmen has been turned over to com mittees of the employees This becams known today when Secretary Baker made public correspondence between the war department and representa- tives of the employees. Matters of ad- ministration are left with the regular homogeneous, but even bids submitted on contracts are influenced by the committees.
 In carrying out the new plan, char acteriZed in the correspondence as the first recognition of the principle of democracy as applied to the manufsc- turing industry" an arsenal order branch has been established in the ordnance department here to obtain orders from other governmental agep- cies. An advsoiry committee of em- ployes' representatives is included in this branch, who actively assist in figuring cost when bidding for work"
 Official reports to Secretary Baker assert that the result has been not only greatly increased efficiency and contentment among the men. but rad ical reduction in manufacturnig Saktx.
 System May Be Extended
 It was learned tonight that the sys- tenn soon would be extended to other departments of the Rock Island arsenal and if found successful would ne placed in operation in all United States arsenals.
 Development of the new system. inc announcement today said, grew out of the situation immediately following the signing of the armistice when jt. became apparent that the operating force would be reduced for lack or work, but the necessity for a charge had been foreseen even before the war. "A condition of antagonism and dis trust" had grown prior to the war be- tween the management and the work men, according to a memorandum submitted by the employees committees as a result of "se-called scientific management methods" and the nen finally found their only recourse .,as to place 9 deliberate limit on prod1c- tion'
 Like "The Gibson Uprightr
 On the outbreak of war, however. is was said. the men voluntariiy re moved these limits insisting only that piece work prices should not be re- duced without their consent. Instance are cited of the men recommending re- auction in piecework prices in order that the arsenal could secure addi- tional orders and of voluntarily agree ing to work during lunch hours fn or der that an order which had beer figured very closely might be fined.
 In letter to Secretary Baker. R. l.. Carnick and James L. McCort en7 ployes' representatives on the arsenal orders branch, summarize the result as follows:
 Primarily the employees feel they no longer feel like mere employees. aim ply bent on holding down a job, ouifs apart from their conception of life for no other purpose than the earning of wages. the only crude means avail able for them securing the necessit5es and perhaps little better things of life. They are beginning to see that they are on their way toward beccm- ing partners in a large enterprise that is manufacturing useful things for the government