, 1921-05-03
THE WAY 10


company where thousands of men are employed and
where the shops are measured in miles. This con-
Germ has a plan of operation in which the executives
of the company and the representatives of the men
participate, which has brought harmony in a situation
that Mt one time was very different. Mr.. Wilson, the
works. manager, explains the fundamental of the
system in force: 4 t'~ ls
1--WE are continually preaching that the human ele-
ment is the most important factor in industry, and we
are beginning to put this preaching into practice.
Industry depends upon cooperation based on the
ticable application of the principle that capital and
labor are inter-dependent. The development Of each
is dependent upor theco-operztiQn of the other. In
other words, we should. not say capital andrlabor, but
rather capital with labor. .&Employer and employe
should strive to better understand each others prob
lens, hopes, ideals, motives and methods. Each should
respect the opinions Of the other. We cannot have
cooperation without confidence and goodwill and
these can only be secured by contact between the
parties.
Employees representation will furnish a more di-
rect contact between management and men and give
each a better understanding of the others viewpoints.
1t will give the employees voice in determining the
conditions under which they work and will enlist their
support, loyalty, and undivided effort S1fhe plan
adopted should be as simpiesas possible, SO as to be
easily understood by all concerned. The employees
should be in,ited to choose representatives to meet
and deal directly with the management
There are certain fundamental principles which
should be embodied in any successful plan for en-
ployes' representation.
81. Method of beginning: The employees should be
invited to select a few representatives from among
themselves to meet with an equal or lesser number
appointed from the management, to study existing
plans and work out a plan suited to their own work.
"2. Representation: The employees should be rep
resented by shop departments rather than by trades.
All employees should be adequately represented.
80. Method of electing representatives: Election
should be held in the plant at least once a year, by
secret ballot, SO that a free choice may result.
"a. Eligibility for voting and election on commit
tees: Reasonable restrictions should be established re-
garding age, Americanization, length of service, etc.
"5. Personnel of committees: The employees should
elect an equal or greater number of Representatives
than is appointed by the management to represent it.
sc. Scope of the committee: The work of the COM
mittee should embrace all matters of joint interest,
such as hours, wages, working conditions and the ad-
tunity to pool schemes and suggestions having to dc
with the plant organization and efficiency for the
better conduct of the industry.
az. Relation to trade unions: Employee represen.
tation is not to undermine the unions. No organiza-
tion covering the whole trade and unfamiliar with
special local conditions and the questions that come
up from day to day is, by itself, in a position to dea
with these questions adequately or to enlist the desir
able cooperation of employer and enploye. 1t is thu
purpose of the shop committee to supply this want.
"The workman, so called, certainly has a right K
have something to say in regard to his working con
ditions, his conduct in the shop, his relations to hi
employer and his fellow employe. 1t is necessary ant
right that his desires in this respect be recognized.
"Plans for a shop committee should not be to-,
elaborate. The employee is interested in an easy, sim
pie, effective way Of discussing with his superior
matters that affect him individually. He wishes t.
be able to do this in a way that will be unprecedented
to himself and to his status with the concern and witt
his fellows.
with the proper cooperation we expect to &C
complish a great deal in promoting a feeling of mu
tual confidence between the large body of employees
the supervisors and the management. 1t is not al
easy thing to do this; it takes a long time, a lot o
experience and patience, a helpful working out, to
gether, of the various matters that arise.
at is only by some such means that eventually w
will be able to continue industrial work in a harmon
ious way"