The Washington times., 1920-07-25
GIRLS WORK FAST
TO MUSIC STRAINS
PIayer-Piano Speeds Produc-
ton in LoriIlard PIant-But
Jazz Is Barred.

.A.report of the Lorilard Company
fnds music "A great asset In puslhes''
declaring the efficiency OF the Deia'
ware plant is increased 20 per 'o"'
by the introduction OF ooht'hu''"
music during working hours Inc
port reads:
Efficiency among the workers hA'
increased % per cent in the Whining
ton plant OF the l.. Lorillard company
since the Inauguration OF a continuous
music program during WORKING hou'''
\ gratifying feature OF the lhho'a-
tion is that while classical or semi
classical music is beneficial Jazz is
detrimental to efficiency"
According to the Wilmington S'a''
a player piano has been installed IN
the wrapping department OF the plant
rolls have been purchased, and boy
hired to make melody" from the
time the girls begin work untli they
stop. The playing and singing are
practically continuous. Whether iol-
lowing the measured tempo OF some
sentimental ballad or the accelerated
time OF a march. nimble hngers move
even more rapidly over task tnat
in purely mechanical-and production
is increased. This simple explanation
concerning itself as il docs with the
psychology of contented "inu'
would have fabbergasted the iacto'y
owner OF half century or even
twenty-five years ago. But ngures
are good witnesses and since the In
PRODUCTION of the pianola and the en-
couragement given the girls to sing
as they work. production has IN
creased 20 per cent.
HOW IDEA STARTED.
The idea started in the minds Of the
officials of the company with the
'sings" conducted at the plant by the
Community Service. Quick to appre-
ciate the better frame of mind in
which these short musical treats LEFT
the girls, the suggestion OF Haroio
Keats executive officer of the Com
munity Service. that a piano be in
stalled was readily taken up.
Each week new rolls are bought
and also each week Raymond X.
Raub. song leader for the Community
Service. has arranged to teach the
girls one new song. In addition 10
singing while they work. the girls
are also permitted to take one whoie
hour in the course OF the day IN
which the majority of them cluster
around the pianola.
"r .JAZZ" IS BANNED.
"It.;worl<s wonderfully WE'LL de-
clared Irwin Weisman, foreman OF the
department where the experiment was
tried AOn,y one thing have to watch:
l "A OF
their work and hurts production.
have only bought rolls of semi-ciassi-
cal nature and there is mild pan
on all jazz songs.
zone can Judge of the success or
the experiment" the foreman con-
tinued when / tell you that before
this singing was started the wages
for one of these girls ranged from
500 to S45 a week. Since we nave
turned musical here at the Lorillard
plant the girls have been earning
from s45 to sos in the wrapping de-
partment. The girls appreciate what
we are doing for them and without
knowing exactly why. they realize
that their work is made much easier,
although in reality they arc doing
more. Looking at the material side
of the question, It is undoubtedly a
beneft both for the factory ana Tor
the girls in increased production and
| wages"
But the ointment is not entirely
| 6yless. Officials of the plant have
visions OF piano in every room
rivalry with a music conservatory
as far as sounds go, and an exodus
of Galli-Curcis and Melbas by the
score. For while the wrapping de-
partment is the only one which has
a pianola now. the girls in the roll
| ing department are becoming slightly
Jealous and are asking pertinent
questions concerning the installation
of a piano in their rooms. During
recreation period the girls from 'the
whole plant crowd into the room
where music reigns supreme, but, oc-
cording to Mr.. Weisman, it looks as
if every department must have its
piano.