The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-13


 dustrial concern can. have and one that does not appear on the balance sheet is the loyal cooperation of the men and women who make up the personnel of the company" declar- ed William A. Bennett, addressing 150 foremen at the central Y. M. C.. A. last evening. This is an asset of q magnitude which outweighs the millions which may set down for buildings and equipment in the so- called assets of great corporation"
 Taking as his subject "The Race Is Won By One and One," the speak: CT declared that mighty responsi- bility rests upon the foreman as re- gards conditions in industry. It does not matter what man may have heard or what he may have guessed or what he may have claimed credit for that someone else did-it is what the foreman does himself that will determine peoples judgment of him, flor the race is won by one and one and never by two and two."
 Management mus ntot overlook importance of adequately compensat-
 
 portant than brawn' and should be compensated accordingly. There is no saving, in Bennett's opinion, by cut ting the pay of foremen and reduc- ing them to the wage earning level of their subordinates. Everyday the foreman is on this level costs ten time the saving of this unwise meth cd of reducing overhead. Any fore man worth his pay in good times is worth increased pay in times such as we are passing through. Although we as a nation are rich and proud and powerful yet we are not smart enough or possibly concerned enough to prevent 5.0OO,000 people or ten per cent of our employed population from suffering loss of their pay en- velopes and often times dire distress, through no fault of their own.''
 The speaker expressed his opin- ion that there is silver lining to this long continued depression. "In- dustry has the faculty of riding along on the crest of prosperious waves quite unmindful of the ineffi- able reaction which usually follows such waves and venture the asser- tion that industry everywhere IS "setting it's house in order." It is improving it's process. reducing its costs, and at the same time main- taining it's standards of high quail ity-and all because this depression has made it necessary. believe that if and when business does re- turn, foremen and men like your selves will play a more important part in the march back to normalcy than all the labor saving devices yet constructed during this period"
 MT. Bennett brought home force- fully to his hearers the importance of a foremen's conduct outside of working hours. He said in part on this point ito be successful fore character that will create a feeling of confidence and win the respect of his subordinates, There are a large number of foremen who know their jobs and are recognized by their superiors and by the men under them as capable and efficient and yet out of tune with the higher things of life. Many foremen feel that it is no one's business what they do outside of business hours. This, be- lieve, is very debatable question, when men earn more money there Is a natural tendency to spend more. Often this is spent for types of en- tertainment or recreation that bring a man to his work in the morning either with a sour stomach or re- fiecting on whot occurred the night
 
 or haze in anticipation of what is to occur the night following. Tn these days a man must be alert and on his toes every moment of the day, not simply meeting problems as they occur, but anticipating them and be- ing one jump ahead of them. Any outside interest of disturbing char acter may be likened to a mill stone around mans neck. and in the slowing up process that is bound to follow someone will take advan- tage of the milestone and use 1t as Q stepping stone.
 Just as a city is sometimes judged by sngle traffic cop so an indus trial concern may be judged by the actions of a single foreman. "It will pay you therefore. gentlemen, to check up yourself and find out whether or not you are measuring up to your responsibilities as a cit- izen and as a representative of your company in the life of this com munity."
 Concerning cooperation which might seem to be under estimated In the light of this slogan 'the race is won by one and one" Bennett stated that cooperation and coordi- nation are the cornerstones of suc- cessful department in any business or industry. Team work, however, depends entirely on the whole heart edness with which every individual does his share in the team work.
 President William A. Carpenter presided at last nights session. ft was announced that Commissioner Fred B. Williams will ds ssuci'C'hrf
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