Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1920-08-13
Efficiency of Labor
Increasing

The question of the present eff
cheney of labor was the subject of a
recent investigation by the research
department of the National Associa-
ton of Credit Men, and the results
of the answers to a questiOnnaire
which was sent to a list of represen-
tative manufacturers were summar-
lied in the May issue of the Credit
Monthly. The questionable covered
the following points: (1) The eff
cheney of labor in March, 1920, as
compared with December, 1919; (2)
Present efficiency as compared with
so-called normal times 1913-14);
(3) Reasons for reduced efficiency
when uresent conditions are unsatis-
factory; (4) The reasons for the IN
crease in efficiency if present cordi-
tions show improvement.
Replies were received from one
hundred and sixty-nine manufacturers
located in all sections Of the country,
and an analysis of the answers led
the author, DR.. Whyte, to conclude
first that there is good deal of
exaggeration in the often repeated
statement that labor in this country
is only fifty of sixty per cent as eff
ficient as it was before the war and.
second, that the year 1920 is so far
showing an increase in efficiency.
In reply to the question, "ls your
labor more efficient now than it was
three months ago." tifty-seven, OF
thirty-four per cent, of the one nun
dred and sixty-seven firms replying
reported an increase in efficiency;
seventy-two, or forty three per cent,
reported no improvement; and ten,
or six per cent, reported a decrease
in efficiency, while eighteen compa-
nies thought that, although there was
no improvement shown, labor was as
efficient as in pre-war times, and ten
stated that old labor showed as much
efficiency as in the pre-War "rlod
but that new labor was inefficient.
Since more than one-thiri Of these
firms believed that conditions in this
respect had improved, as against SIX
per cent who reported reduction IN
efficiency, altogether an increase Of
production for the three month period
was shown.
On the other hand, the replies to
the question comparing the present
with the so-called normal period show
that production is not yet up 20 the
pre-war standard. Seventy per cent
of the one hundred and siXty-nine
companies answering the question
stated that they did not believe that
labor is as efficient now as it was in
1913-14. Thirteen Of these employ
ers, howevere, attempted 10 make a
percentage comparison which, when
averaged, showed a relative efficiency
at present of seventy-three per cent,
and while the number reporting was
too small to form a general estimate
| it was considered that it re tuteY in a
measure the charge that the relative
degree of efficiency reaches as low q
point as fifty or sixty per cent
Twenty or sixteen per cent, be-
| lieved that labor is as efficient now as
formerly, but only three per cent con
sidered that efficiency has reached a
standard beyond that of normal times
The reasons assigned for lowered
production show that large number
Of employers attribute it to labor
| shortage. The causes next in order
Of Importance are given as Industrial
unrest, high rate of labor turnover
high wages, reaction from the war
and high cost of living, whiie in few
instances the blame was laid Lpor
organized labor, the high wages paid
by the federal government during tho
war, lack of interest, general extra
vagance, shorter hours, housing con
ditions, radical social agencies, and
prohibition.
Causes for increased efficiency
were attributed to profit sharing
bonuses, high wages, industrial well
fare work, improved methods OF
management, abatement, of indus
trial unrest, and education of EN-
ployes along economic lines.