The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-06-27
ENGLISH LABOR EXPERIMENT.

Experiments in relation to the six-hour work
day are under way in various parts of the world
and on the outcome much of the thought in this
great problem will be shaped.
The most important is that inaugurated by
Lord Leverholme at Port Sunlight, England.
Leverholme is perhaps the greatest soapmaker
of the world. The plant is better known under
is old name of Lever Bros.
There never has been great employer to
compare with Lord Leverholme and soapmaking
is not thing to charm the average person, but
Lord Leverholme has made Port Sunlight the
pride of Great Britain. His soap factories are
dots in magnificent parks. The homes of his
employees are model houses. His workers share
i'm the Profits of the business. The concerts In
the great halls at Port Sunlight are among the
best given in England. Artists, lecturers, trav
elers, statesmen go to Port Sunlight to deliver
addresses.
Part Of the program of the proprietors is to
broaden the knowledge of the workers. There
fore they arrangesfor excursions throughout the
British Isles, to France; to Italy, elsewhere, for
their employees. They have banks, clubs,
ment housekeeping for the convenience OF
their huge family
And they have prospered amazingly. From
small beginnings the Levers have grown to
Apread around the globe. They have one big
establishment in America. Nowhere, however
has their success been so pronounced at Port
Sunlight.
Now, following the war in which, by the way
they had larger proportion of soldiers, it is
said, than any other employers in Great Britain
they have inaugurated the six-hour day. Con
fessedly it is an experiment and such it must
be viewed. The plant operates about % hours
doxy hahn crix- To or1l
ing, ETC. There are three shifts of workers. Each
shift is at the plant somewhat more than seven
hours. In this period there are two or three
stops, one for eating regular meal one for tee
and one for recreation
1t is to early to report as to results, although
unofficially it is said Lord Leverholme has found
no cause to regret making the experiment.
The Port Sunlight experiment is scheduled
Of one ear, but enough will be shown in the first
six months, perhaps, to show whether six hours
a schedule of days labor is economically
sound.
There is another experiment under way in
England. That affects the more than 1000 900
persons in coal mining They have obtained
seven-hour day and in 1921 the question of
six-hour day is to be taken up. The decision then
will hinge largely on the results obtained from
the seven-hour experiment.
The production of the British miner, viewed
in comparison with that of the American miner,
is ridiculously low being 218 tons per man in
this country. If the British miner increases pro-
duction decidedly in the seven-hour day he may
get the six-hour day. If he does not he will be
denied the shorter day. That is certain.
American students of economies will watch the
British experiments with great care for Ameri-
cas- course will be pointed largely by the results
abroad.
incidentally, the six-hour day may be hasten
ed IN this country if Henry Ford carries out sue
cessfully the program he has discussed with
friends. He contemplates inaugurating a six
hour day experimentally.
Perhaps it has occurred to Won that Villa IS