Evening star., 1920-06-27

Grafton of the employees. he added, was
due to the fact that the union leaders
| gave their complete and hearty ap-
proval to the works organization.
| Without the cooperation of the
union leaders it is considered that the
establishment of such a plan would
not be feasible. The union men at
Rock Island became convinced that
| the organization was not to be used
10 fight the workingmen's unions. In
| fact, the works organization at Rock
Island carries specific provision which
makes it impossible for it to be used
10 discriminate against the unions
Productive of Better Morale.
! The works organization at Rock
| Island. it is said. has resulted in an
increase in morale. Its effect has
been to give prompt compliance with
the War Department regulation that
the rates of wages shall be the pre-
vailing rates for comparable work in
| the district where the arsenal is To-
| Gated While this regulation, which is
based upon law of Congress, has
been in effect for some time. frequent
| ly there have been delays in putting
! it into operation, with appeals to
| members of Congress. proper clas-
sification of the employees has been
worked out, and through the produc-
| ton committee of the organization the
| men themselves have made many val
liable suggestions for the improve
! ment of production. Another crafty
ing result has been a better feeling
and cooperation between the men and
| the minor executives, which in itself
| has had a direct influence on produc-
| ton.
glance at the structure of the
Rock Island works organization
shows that it is not complicated and
! that it's operation is comparatively
simple. The main body of the organ
| ization is the central council, COM
posed of three representatives from
each of the thirteen departments, in
Guiding the administrative Offices.
These representatives are elected by
secret ballot controlled by the en-
ployes The management's only part
in the election is to provide a time
keeper. in association with two en-
pIoye judges, who certifies to an en-
ploye's eligibility to vote in a given
shop. No employe of less than eight
cen years of age and with less than
six months Of service is entitled to
vote. No representative is eligible to
election unless he has served one year
at the arsenal No employe who has
the power of recommending employ
ment. promotion or discharge is eIigi-
bic to act as a departmental repre-
sentative.
| These thirty-nine representatives
| form the central coundl, and the
| chairman of this council, with four
members of the council and the COM
| manding officer and four of his princi-
pal assistants constitute joint con-
| ference committee.
Choice OF Committee Members.
From the body of the central coun-
ell are selected two members for
each of the standing committees nec-
esSary for the transaction of busi-
ness. The two members of the stand
ing committee meet regularly each
week with two representatives of the
management as joint standing COM
mittee on all matters related to the
subjects assigned to that committee.
At present there are thirteen stand
ing committees of the central coun-
cil These standing committees are
of such Importance in the functioning
of the plan that it is necessary. to
describe them briefly for an under
standing of the operation of the or
ganiZation.
First, there is the production COM
mittee whose duty it is to investi-
gate and report upon any antiquated
methods of production. in the ar
senaI and recommend remedies. The
described as follows:
Employment committee, to .investi-
gate cases of irregular employment
and recommend remedial action.
Rates of pay committee. to see that
the remuneration is at all times COM
mensurate with Services required,
and recommend such revision of rates
as data obtained may warrant.
Shop-expense committee, to investi-
gate and recommend the cutting :
down of overhead expense, where
possible. and all items coming within
the scope of this title. -
Arsenal orders committee. working T.
in conjunction with the arsenal or
ders branch at Washington, D., c.
This committee receives copies of all
proposals for contracts to be- let by
the government and recommends any =
action that will aid in expediting
submission of bids, etc
Promotions and Discharges.
Promotion and discharge committee,
TO recommend that action based on ;
merit only be considered in promo
tions and to recommend action in case
of the complaint of any discharged
employe.
Working conditions committee, to
recommend correction of any condi-
tions which may seem unjust.
Shop discipline committee. to recon-
mend such action as will guard
against the injection of personal en-
nifty in disciplinary measures.
Safety and sanitation committee, to
suggest safety guards and appliances
on all exposed and dangerous parts of
machinery and electrical equipment
and report all unclean and insanitary
conditions with recommendations for
their correction.
Recreation committee. TO recommend
such action as will tend to create bet
ter social atmosphere among en-