The Washington times., 1919-12-26
SWEAT MACHINES,
NOT MEN, HE URGES
Labor an Entity, Not a Com.
modify, Declares Apostle Of
Six-Hour Day.

NEW YORK. Dec. ia new type
of man has come to town. man
with new ideals.
Labor, he believes, is not q COM
modify, but an entity; not q machine,
but a personality.
This square deal" to him does not
mean q golden lining for the en-
ployer's pocket, but partnership with
his employees. This Is his reward for
faithful service in the business OF
war and business Of commerce.
William Lever, first Baron Lever
hulme, Lord Leverhufme, and head Oh
Lever Brothers, millionaire soap
manufacturers, IL the apostle Of this
new economy. In his suite at the
Hotel Plaza here Lord Leverhulme
paid Characteristic tribute to labor.
He said:
The American laboring man Is all
right. So 10 his English brother.
Both bent their shoulders to the wheel
during the stress of war. and both
deserve credit for their hercuiean
performances. Neither has been the
cause OF more unrest than Is natural
at such a critical juncture in the
worlds reconstruction Affairs.
Urges Shorter Hours.
The enlightened working man has
a right to consider his condition and
to make provisions for his own well
fare, and the welfare OF those who
shall come after him. Shorter hours
and more money are points at issue
upon which he takes his stand. some
times to the CONSERVATION Of the
great employer.
"But thinkers are beginning to
realize that the six-hour day does not
mean a loafer's paradise. Sweat the
machine and not the man is the new
trend of industrial thought. Its effect
on the continuous running of ma
chinery 10 where the employer will
gain.
"Under a six-hour day our machin-
cry will run an increased number of
hours. even to the total Of twenty
four hours, while the human being
running the machinery il not run
ming more than six-hour shifts.
with q twelve-hour working day
for the machine and q six-hour day
for the machine tender. increased pro-
duction will result because the hu-
man being who guides the mechan-
ism remains fresh on his Job to the
last and does not falter in his Efforts
to increase production.
sharing. This. means that the worker
ventures nothing in his partnership
He should take part Of the risk in
volved that his pront shall be the
more.
in our nrm we pay the highest
prevailing wages, with the employees
a. co-partners under . distribution Of
shares which participate in profits.
You cannot solve the labor diff
culties by high wages. bonuses, piece
work. or premiums alone. You must
have, partnership. Only the true
spirit Of co-partnership can tend in
this direction and by combining the
democratic with the individualistic
result not only in higher total earn
ings, but greater efficiency, happier
life, and improved mental condition
Should BE Enesuraged.
There is a great desire and not an
desire on the part Of the
working man to take some share in
the control of the factory he works in
This desire should be encouraged and
with proper education many valuable
additions to directorates can be made
from the ranks OF workers.
"We must never lose sight Of the
fact that what we call the present
labor unrest is healthy and encourag-
ing for 1t discloses a psychological
problem just as large as those of
wages and hours of labor. We shall
have a labor government In time in
England. But why fear IT? There
have been excellent labor govern
ments in Australia for years. Lawyers
and capitalists do not monopolize the
intelligence of nation"
Port Sunlight is the name of Lever
Brothers manufacturing center, a
community unique in economic an
mails, with modern houses, recreation
centers, employees banks, and loan
associations.
Lord Leverhulme will make . tour
Of Americas largest cities to review
business conditions.