The Connecticut labor news., 1922-11-24
CALLS l2-HOUR DAY
 INDUSTRIAL WASTE
L. w. Wallace Says Shorter Hours
 Show Better Results.

l. Buffalo, N. Y, Nov. 24.-Wasteful industrial habits are costing the na- ton billions of dola1rs annually, L.. w. Wallace of New York City, execu- tive secretary of the Federated Amer ican Engineering Societies, declared Wednesday in an address opening the waste session of the sixth annual New York State Industrial Confer ence
 Lost production caused by i'll health, physical defects, and industrial accidents was a prolific source of waste, asserted MT. Walalce, who said that the 2,ooo ooo men and women gainfully employed in the United States probably lose on an average of more than six days annually from ill- ness, disability, including non-indus- trial accidents, or a total of more than 252,ooo,ooo days"
 The I2-hour day and the seven-day week were c1assed as wasteful indus trial habits by MT. Wallace, who cited the findings of the committee on work periods in continuous industry of the Federated American Engineering So- cieties and the observations and ex-
 There is a relatively large area of America nindustry in which consid- erable amount of work of .I2 hours or more prevails" continued MT. Wal lace, who was vice-chairman of the Hoover Committee on Elimination of Waste in Industry.
 More Work In Shorter Day.
 This obtains In 40 or so cont1nu- ous process industries and involves from 5oo,oo to 100000 workers. A recent report based upon careful study of this problem indicates that in those plants or industries where the number of hours worked per day per man have been reduced from I2 or more hours to eight or 10 that better results as measured in quantity and quality of production obtained.
 This investigation also discloses that a reduction in the number of ab- sentees and accidents follows the in stallation of shorter length of shift, provided that there is good manage ment and cooperation of labor. It is also brought out that no economic loss need be experienced in changing to shorter length of shift provided management carefully analyses the problem and upon the basis of such study makes such changes in pro- cedure and methods as will insure a greater and more eficeint utilization of the plant, equipment, and of the men and, provided further, that the sincere cooperation of the men Is se- cured and maintained.
 'In all these projects to increase the productivity of our industries, namely, stabilization, Standardization, elimination of obsolete and made quate equipment, lost motions, bad methods, let us not lose sight of the fact that we are dealing fundamental ly with flesh and blood.
 There Is no reason why every man in this country-laborer, skilled work man, and clerk-should not be able to have all of the luxuries that are now available to the $I5o a week man., said William R. Basset of Miller, Franklin, Basset & Co.,, addressing the conference
 MT. Basset declared that his expert ence as an industrial engineer has shown him that high costs are prac-, tically always due to wastes which could be easily removed if both man agement and labor were willing to use the best methods of doing work which are easily available. t.s
 That does not nmean that the workman would receive $I5o or more in money for a weeks work. It does mean that costs could be reduced sufficiently to make goods cost but fraction of what they do now. Money wages might or might not increase. That is immaterial What counts IS what can be bought for the money"