Evening star., 1928-11-25
America Reaps Many Dividends
During the Past Decade Of Peace

chanical devices. electrification, larger
units, changed methods and processes
have been extended; second, by I'M
proved management, and third, by in
creased efficiency on the part OF labor
itself"
Increased Efficiency.
This increased efficiency has beer
brought about largely by the fact that
the employees themselves are represent
ed in the management, and In good
many cases through the fact that they
are also part owners in the corpora
tion. Through this employe representa-
ton plan employers recognize the fact
that the employees must be their friends
and consultants. 1t is only through the
welfare of both that the welfare of the
whole can be maintained. AS this is
true in the steel industry. so 1t is true
throughout the entire range of indus
tries that might well be considered
all Of those we have touched upon and
many others.
1t is thus seen in this very hasty short
sketch of our economic growth that the
security Of American prosperity lies
largely in the stimulus given to indi-
vidual efficiency. This individual eff
cheney may be manifested in the hand
work of the skilled worker, in the tech
nical use that he can make of the best
machinery that can be put into his
hands by his employer, in his continual
watchfulness for better methods Can
illustration Of which saw few years
ago when the locomotive engineers de-
tailed men to instruct the firemen on a
great railroad system how to use the
coal for firing the engines more eff
ciently), as well as in the growing spirit
~ Iof &c i,a oil
our great lines of industry.
Not merely do we have cooperative
selling societies in agriculture and CO.
operative associations in most lines of
industry for the securing and the giving
of information that will be of use to all,
but also the hearty cooperation that
has come to exist between employers
and workn1en as the workmen gradu-
ally become interested financially as
well as mentally and morally in their
work.
Part Of Labor Federation.
The American Federation of Labor in
recent years. has played no small part
in this development. While 1t has been
ever watchful of the rights of the work.
ingman and has been quick to resent
any efforts made to impose upon him,
nevertheless when 1t has found en-
ploYers Eeady to cooperate it has read
lily joined with them in promoting the
interests of all, employers and working
men alike,
The very breath of life Of industrial
America as 1t is seen today, the very
embodiment of its spirit, is found in the
development of the individual to the
highest degree possible. not only in all
classes of work. but also in his develop
ment along all lines. The individual
must not only be efficient as workman,
but he should also (and this is the buSi-
ness of industry today be efficient as
a citizen.
What is the use that the workman is
to make in the days to come of his
leisure time? Therein lies another of
our great problems not yet solved. He
may use it to engage in sports. He may
spend 1t In dissipation. Or he may find
in it the real opportunity for the full
development Of himself. mentally and
morally, In this way lies his progress
to high and even higher positions in his
chosen occupation and in his usefulness
as a citizen.
Copyright, 1929