Evening star., 1926-10-11

Henry Ford's latest innovation. the
five-day week In his motor car plants,
leads to general speculation as to
whether other industrial producers
will follow in his footsteps. Much Of
the published comment indicates a
feeling that while the experiment may
be successful in such an organization
as Ford has built up, it hardly will
prove that industry generally is ready
for such a radical change Of habits.
For a century the trend toward
shorter hours in factory production
has been steady" says the Baltimore
Sun, "and 1t would be absurd to state
dogmatically that the present stand
ard Of the eight-hour day, five-and-
one half day week, is final in the devel-
opment Standa ardization In produc-
ton, truly scientific management. bet
ter marketing methods so as to steady
the relation between demand and sup
ply--these and a hundred other fac
tors indicate that the hours Of labor
may be further cut without curtail-
ment in output. The five-day week.
however, will come slowly and after,
not before, it's desirability is proved y
The Racine Journal-News suggests
that "in all likelihood the men will
have to speed up a little MORE" but
argues that 1T must he remembered
that the Ford plants have a highly
organized force. and in such a busi-
ness as Ford's there is not much room
for the man who has passed his pro-
ductive powers. or the one who is not
able to keep up with the rest Of his
fellow employees"
Perhaps Mr.. Ford is looking fur
ther ahead and seeing more clearly
than any of the industrial captains. !"
says the Toledo Blade. "He may be
more fortunate than others in that he
can do what he pleases without inter
ference from other heads. His dreams
are not hampered by boards of direc-
tors, and he makes them come true.
Eventually 1t may come to a f1ve-day
week for most workers, with as much
done as is now accomplished In six
days" The Little Rock Arkansas
Democrat, asking How can the great
Detroit manufacturer do those things
which other industrial kings declare
are impossible If a profit Is to be
made?" offers as it's own reply. Mass
production and keen knowledge Of
men seem to us to answer that ques-
ton
X i: X
"Mr. Ford's latest innovation" az it
Is viewed by the New York Herald
Tribune. sis looked upon as an expert
ment that would be impossible for ap-
plication except in handful of highly
specialized. plants like the Ford fac
tory. The length of the working day.
best suited to the needs of industry
and the physical limitations of the
worker, has been pretty generally es-
| tablished as eight hours. One Is likely
| to overlook in these innovations Of Mr..
| Ford. the fact that, despite his big pay
| roll, labor is a comparatively minor
| factor in his production. The reduc-
! ton in the size Of pulley here. the
tightening of a screw there-these
| things may mean more in added pro-
| duction than the extension Of the
working day by 80 minutes or an
| hour"
There are too many industries in
which the f1ve-day week will never
be applicable" in the opinion of the
Canton Daily News, "to warrant the
belief that Mr.. Ford's example will
be followed to any very great extent y
While the San Bernardino Sun con-
cedes that "if industry finds that it
can get from 40 hours work the same
production as 48 hours gave, the
shorter working week would be well
comed." it adds: THAT this is posi-
BILE as a general proposition is un-
likely without further important i'm
provements in machinery" The
Rochester Times-Union feels that ''it
| is still too early to say whether the
plan marks a general trend toward a
shorter work week in large scale in
dustry," and asserts that ''the validity
of Mr.. Ford's general economic argu-
ment that greater time for recreation
will bring an increased demand for
goods, which modern machine indus
| try under efficient management is
able to supply, also remains to be
tested"
Il X x x
In explaining that the test of the
| new plan will be watched with in
terest. the Pasadena Star-News recog-
niZes that "the workingman Is COM
ing into a status which gives him
time not only $or rest and recreation.