Evening star., 1943-02-14


| mission.
The program includes improved
eating conditions in yards, hospital
facilities, air raid protection, proper
ventilat'ng facilities, emphasis on
safety clothing, eyesight protection
and safety devices on all moving
machinery.
The commission said the safety
standards are the result of a fact
finding survey on all coasts under
the direction of DR.. Philip Drinker
Harvard University. and John M.
Roche of the National Safety
, council.
The present annual accident rate
is 81. 81 per 500 workers, and in some
places has jumped as high as 232 Sc
per 500 workers, the commission
said.
A 19-man committee, represent
ing labor, management, war agencies
and the public, yesterday sought a
cure for absenteeism in Portland
(Oreg) war industries.
The problem was described as Sc
rious there and the committee was
named following a meeting of 200
persons from the war plants and
Government agencies.
L. c. Stoll, Oregon manpower di-
rector, said the committee would
attempt to get recommendations on
paper Wednesday. His organiza ton
will follow them las far as prac-
ticable," he said.
Speakers said many employees,
new to industrial work, are taking
time off to conduct personal busi-
ness at their convenience, unaware
of the disturbance to production,
and that others, unaccustomed to
high wages, are laying off periodi-
cally to spend their money.
Representatives from labor said.
however, that much of the ab-
senteeism is due to sickness, often
uffeported.
Con1dr. E. M. Hicks, 18th naval
district industrial relations Of
ficer, estimated absenteeism among
l25, 900 workers in the Portland area
at 10 per cent. Conservatively, this
loss was figured at enough every
five days to build a Liberty freight
er.
Tom Ray, secretary of the Amer
ican Federation of Labor Boiler
makers Portland Union, proposed
two 10-hour shifts daily in place of
three 8-hour shifts and advocated
50-hour, five-day week.
Industry attibuted absenteeism to
new workers who failed to realize
that layoffs interrupted production
and to workers, suddenly "in the
money" who quit periodically to
spend their earnings.
Absenteeism has dropped as much
as 27.6 per cent at Ryan Aeronau-
teal Co. in San Diego, Calf, since
January l, as a result of the most
intensive campaign against unwar-
ranted waste of man hours in the
companys history, Frank Saye, en-
ployment manager, announced.
Plant to Make Awards.
A work. town program which will
reward perfect attendance to the
extent of $4,000 each month has
just been inaugurated by the Con-
solidated Aircraft Corp. IN San
Diego There will be additional
awards of 5000 each quarter.
In Chicago yesterday, Government
officials discussed the problem of
sbsenteeism in ordnance plants in
/ the surrounding area, where it was
| said the rate Of absence was ranging
! from 10 to IA per cent. Poor recrea-
ton, housing, restaurants. stores and
/ medical attention were some of the
| causes. In one ordnance plant it
was reported most of the absentee
ism resulted from the fact that 30
per cent Of the pay checks were
cashed in taverns.
In Buffalo, NJ Y, the Bell Aircra #
Corp labels "AWOL" those workers
who fail TO obtain permission for be-
ing absent. An "AWOL" card re-
places their usual time card and
approval from the foreman or de-
partment head is required before
the time card may be returned and
Wors resumed A company spokes-
man said the plan, initiated three
/ weeks ago, is working successfully.