Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-28
J. HOWELL CUMMINGS
On a Plants Best Asset

A COMMERCIAL plants best asset is the
n good will Of it's employees. and the way
10 obtain and hold this good will is to show
the workers clearly that their interests are
identical with thos" Of the firm with which
they are associated, says J. Howell Cum
m!ngs.
''It has been easier to secure employees
than to hold thrm," said Mr.. Cummings,
but only the firms which can hold I'll" ON
ployes VIII" have grown up in th"lr service
and therefore, have had tho experience with
tho really vital things of the plant. can hope
to rank among til" leaders Of their line, no
matter what that limo may be.
''Thr late John r. Stetson wns ono OF
tho first large employers Of labor in this
country TO SEQ these things clearly and TO
take advantage of them. IIr realized that
working conditions. rates Of wages diSn"
sition Of the foremen. personal ambitions "I
tho workers themselves and hundred other
influences enter daily into this. one OF the
most important questions when any ihrse
manufacturer has TO answer
Americanization Important
"Onc Of tho fundamental things under
living this whole matter is the .tmcrirani2a-
ton Of tho workers. They arc residents of
this country. enjoying its Freedom ana the
numerous advantages whirh it offers. far in
cxccss of those offered by any other country
in the world and those Of them who were"
horn abroad should recognize their duty I"
the country which gives them their living
and it's protection in their right TO work ana
IA 1.-Two as they can work and live nowhCr"
clsc on earth, and not only become citizens
in tho political sense, bur also acquire n
thorough understanding Of the duties and the
RESPONSIBILITIES Of that citizenship.
"As n rule, the foreign born workman is
only too glad 10 assume the obligations Of
citizenship. and today every one OF our 300
foreign born employees, comprising np"nt ="
nor cont Of the total nunhrr employed. is
either n full .hcdgcd American citizen or IS
actively studying TO become one. The method
hy which this has been brought about Is
that We pndcavor to understand one another
and are interested in on" another. W" nave
various social. athletic and religious organl'
2otions, which bring us constantly into in
innate and informal contact.
Tenure OF Service
"Tenurc Of service also goes = long way
III establishing cordial rolntion' without
which not much can b" accomplished n'"ng
oIyonccl lines. More than one half Of tho
cmnIoycs of the StntSon Company have now
been working together for ten years or more
and the average service Of $50 ol US is
thirty four years. Men who hnv" been in
constant and friendly communication for that
length of time nr" not llkclS 10 hhVe S'rl-
Gus misunderstanding.
bip family; we all feel a Just pride in our
/ orpenization and. therefore. take prid" in
our work \ detailed account Of every pcr-
sons work during the year IL kept. and at
Christmas We try 10 Civ" suitable rccognl-
Iion of what has been accomplished
"Whpn any employer by years Of fair, hon
orable and considerable dealings gains the
ronfdcnce Of his workers. then they arc
willing to follow his leadership and advice,
because they know that nothing inimical to
their interests would be suggested TO them,
and when he reaches this point, he has an
asset for his plant the value Of which it
| would be difficult TO over est innate,
Holding the Workers
'The humnn element is coming more and
| more each year 10 play leading pnrt In
| commerce. and the employer who recognizes
| mis- and keeps up with the tendency Of the
| times in this respect, ns in others, is tho
one who will be most successful,
"Hut il must always be remembered that
! thcrr must be nothing of charity in this
kind Of work each man must get only that
ia which his own efforts cntitlr him, aud this
| is nil the best class Of American workmcn
| wants lie doesn't want something for
| nothing; but he very highly appreciates a
Just recognition of his value to the Or
| Esnization for which he works.
"Many years ago tho management recog-
nized the heavy annual loss resulting from