The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-12-24
Company Dope for Their Slaves

MUCH concern has long been manifested by the
Az apologists of capitalism in America the
fact that modern machine production destroyed the
personal bonds which existed between employer and
employee under the old craft system of industry.
Now, with the systematic development of the policy
of class collaboration exemplified IN the B. & o.
plan and company unonism, has come increasing in
terest in the general problems of industrial rela-
tons, in the socalled human factor in industry,
aspect of class peace" that must receive special
attention.
Thus the defenders Of capitalist society think they
can help put an end to the class struggle between
capital and labor, and establish belief in the har-
mony of interests of exploters and exploited by
viving and encouraging the human factor" They
want to psychologist the worker into forgetting that
under capitalism he is merely "hand" that his la
Dor power is simply commodity, like any other
article to be bought and sold the labor market.
Attempts are therefore made to stimulate good
fellowship" between worker and employer, to
feeling of equal partnership and to create the illu-
sion OF actual ownership in factory plant.
XTARFOUS means have been adopted to accomplish
this end, such as numerous welfare schemes,
sale OF stock, ETC. One particular method which has
leone to the fore within the last decade two is the
publication of employee magazines. This interest
ing form of capitalist propaganda essentially part
of the machinery of class collaboration, affords
excellent illustration of the studied care with which
American capitalism is developing system of
agement and control aiming not merely at increased
efficiency and lower costs, but at the complete sub
mission of the worker.
A recent study entitled "Employe Magazines in
the United States" made by the National Industrial
Conference Board, describes the employee maya
zine "a device bearing Made in the U. s. A.
label for improving relations between workers and
employers and among workers themselves, and
states that it into widespread use lin the past
decade practical method by which closer con-
tact among those engaged in industry may be achiev
. ed and as an attempt to develop human relations"
IN production.
THE earliest example of an employe magazine
that issued by the National Cash Register
Co. In $780, called Factory News" 12page journal
issued monthly Not much was done along this
line, however, until the World War when these pub
locations received considerable impetus To mobilize
labor behind the imperialst and to stimulate
increased production and support of war activities,
It was found necessary to wage organized
pagn of patriotic propaganda The use of employee
magazines in developing loyalty" and "co-opera-
ton" among the workers. and thus aiding the speed
up system quickly recognized Hence their
number grew rapidly. survey of 334 employee
magazines made in 1921 showed that al per cent
Of these were issued between 1917-1s2O During the
past three years, 42S magazines have been started
Of which 22S still published in the employees
interests, additional third having been turned
into purely sales organs.
These magazines. ranging in size from four to
thiry-two or more pages. published in all
branches of production-iron and STEEL machinery,
food products, textiles. automobiles lumber prod
acts collars, paper rubber, etc. The Importance
attached to this method of disseminating bosses pro-
Paganda is therefore quite evident.
WITH the aim of obtaining increased production
W of better quality at a lower cost, employers
have adopted the tactics of obtaining the workers.
consent to this form of intensified exploitation by
dverting their attention thru various paternalistc
schemes and poisoning their minds with illusions of
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