The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-24

with employees. More plans or tnis kind are now in operation than 'ne public knows anything about.
 The Russell Sage experts have 1ost finished Investigating one pian' more advanced than most, for giving workers than the majority of executives pe'ieVe advisable or even practicable. What the investigators discovered will interest many.
 Of the plan which Is in operation at the Rutchess Bleachery, Inc, at Wap- pinser's Falls, N. Y, the report says:
 "The Duchess Bleachery experience indicates affirmative answers to the much discussed questions:
 "'Is it financially safe for company 0to permit its wage earners to have a voice on questions of shop management! :! GDo workers desire to have this share or Irespon sibility? Lacking technical train ling and experience in administration, Iis their Judgment valuable concerning questions of general policy7 Will they have consideration for the interests of Stockholders?
 "The further point Is made that in this case when given power to determine policies the employees did not use It to advance their own wages and decrease OwOrklnE hours TSEdTuicSS oA taO A]~A&~~A cial state of the business"
 This plan not only gives repre- senta- tion to employees in determining the condition of their employment, but gives a representative of the workers a seat on the board of advisors.
 Also 1t turns over entirely to workmen the administration of the company's houses for employees families assigns definite responsibility for shop manage ment to a board consisting of six of ficers and six wage earners, and pro- vides employees with information con- cerning the financial condition and con- duct of the business.
 The investigators report three years of such cooperation has transformed a community of dilapidated and unsan- 8itary houses into a town of clean. com fortable and happy homes and has so revolutionized the attitude of the em- ployes toward production that the com &pany earned comparatively high dtV1- dends during two years when other plants in the same industry were idle 9because of business depression The report adds:
 "As managers, the representatives of the operatives have co-operated in the constructive tasks of running factory frhey have suggested such methods of Increasing efficiency as time clocks. Xforemen's conferences and mass meet Xings. Together with representatives of |the stockholders, they elected the present manager and superintendent The whole eenor of their participation has not #been How much can we get out of the bleachery for ourselves" but What can we do to make this successful land efficient business enterprise for ev- zery one concerned"
 There can be no doubt that, in spite *<of the obstacles yet to be overcome. he partnership plan has had real sue < ce ss from the point of view of the work ers as well as from that of the stock holders"
 Since Samuel Gompers died my mind has been dwelling much on what the future policy of the American Fedora ion of Labor will be toward rapidly
 multiplying plans of employers for
 irawing their workers closer to them
 What attitude will the federation take
 .oward industrial democracy" plans similar to the one hero outlined, to-
 ward bonus systems, pensions, group in t urance, employe subscriptions for stock, home-ownership plans, extra-payment
 or long service, prizes for useful sug-
 yestions and all the other little and Dig things now coming into vogue to
 win the loyalty and inspire the enthus-
 asm of workers?
 In the long run, wage earners. being
 human, will throw in their lot with
 hose who prove able to do the most
 or them. We are to witness contest
 or the favor of workers. Which will
 win, the newer generation of labor un-
 on leaders of employers?