The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-01-08
ADVANTAGES or
QUANTITY PRODUCTION

out the following statement from its
I! Washington headquarters.
I The tremendous advantage incident
to quantity production Is Illustrated in
] American ship-building. The unproc-
/! edented impetus given 10 ship-build-
ing BY the war has established the in
] dustry on such a firm basis that
/! students Of the merchant marine prob
I lem confidently predict that American
! yards can compete successfully with
] foreign builders even II the competi-
tors have some advantages through
! lower wages. Many reasons are ap-
] parent why this effect should be re-
I allied.
I "There arc few exceptions to the
! rule that quantity production means
lower unit cost Of production. Par
ticularly is thus true where production
necessitates immense capital invest
ment. The cost Of making one auto
mobile, one watch, or one needle,
would be great, but when large guam
titles are made, special machinery, /
skilled workmen and systematic meth |
DDS make possible large output at |
relatively small cost.
During the helf century Of decline
of American ship-building, this coun-
try became practically barren Of skill
ed ship-buildcrs. Ship yards were
few, facilities for producing ship
equipment were small, and the world
had ceased TO look to this country for
ships. Extraordinary demand created
by war changed all this. We now
have ship-building plants more than
adequate for peace time needs. and
the most efficient can be retained for
permanent use. Many thousands of
men have served an apprenticeship in
the yards, and those who demonstrate
ed the best adaptability to that kind Of
work will find permanent employment
In the new industry. Builders have
learned where and from whom they
can obtain at best advantage supplies
needed in ship construction and equip
ment. Establishments that can pro-
duce these supplies the cheapest will
remain permanently in business. Keen
competition among American builders
will insure the lowest practicable cost
of completed ships.
This same principle of large pro-
duction and low unit cost is a consid-
cradle factor in the protective tariff
policy. So long as the American pro-
Queer, Of dyestufrs, for example, is
menaced by danger of destructive
competition from some other country,
in his home market, he cannot venture
the large and permanent investment
necessary for highest efficiency. But
once assured that foreign COMPETE
tor with cheaper labor will not be per-
mitted free access to the home market.
the American producer can increase
has output until the unit cost becomes
low enough to enable him to sell in
foreign markets in competition with
he rest of the world. Assurance of
continued quantity production is
very material factor in keeping down
'ost Of production. That assurance
encourages development Of home COM 3
petition, with resultant lower prices to
consumers. And out of that increased
production the nation as q whole re-
Ilizes the advantages Of larger en-
'loyment for American workmCn,
arger markets for American raw ma
erials, larger opportunity for invest 4
nent of American capital, end wider
Ields for American enterprise in the
ommerce Of the world.
Present promise Of permanent sue
ess for American ship-building should
IMPRESS upon the people Of the coun-
~ the importance Of always adheriag
the policy Of promoting and guard
lg American industry first, even
hough the industry be Of direct inter
s to only one section. Farmers in n
ne foothills Of the Rocky Mountains
ave an indirect interest in the success
the American merchant marine
Ist as the ship-buildcr has an indi-
ct interest in the prosperity Of the .
an who grazes sheep on the Western -
nge. In industry, as in nationality. A
h'ed We stand, divided We fall afte
-osperity for one promotes the pros sevc
rity Of all, and the greater the num- fall
T Of prosperous industries, the NJ
eater VIII be the prosperity Of the attel