Factory people and their employers

Front matter

■ PeopB

m TheirEmployer:

1. L.Shi i

Preface

In the preparation of this handbook an effort has been made to make a practical book which thoughtful people may use in developing plans in their own communities, and not to offer a complete history of sociological development as related to factories.

The facts given here have been gathered from letters of employers and employes, from newspapers and other periodicals and from various books which touch upon these questions, efforts being made as far as possible to verify statements given. Thanks are due to employers in various places for information regarding their methods and for words of encouragement and recognition from many others who desire rational methods of improving factory conditions and the relations of employer and employe.

E. L. S.

Dayton, Ohio, December i, 1900.

Outline of Discussion

PAGE

INTRODUCTION n

I. METHODS OF ACTION 15

1. Large gifts 15

2. Direct profit-sharing 16

3. Daily sharing — through personal advantages. 19

II. SOME ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES 20

Fairness — sympathy 21

Daily thoughtfulness * 22

Recognition of personal comfort and dignity. . 22

Duty to city and country 25

Influence in neighborhood 25

III. WHO SHOULD UNDERTAKE SUCH PLANS. 26

Not wait till large factory 27

Or undertake many things 27

Organize thoroughly 27

IV. HOW TO WIN SYMPATHY OF FACTORY

PEOPLE 29

Difficulties :

1. Lack of knowledge of each other's per-

sonal needs — sympathy 29

2. Lack of knowledge of business 30

3. Lack of clear ideas of organization and

methods 31

Attained by information 31

By illustrated lectures 32

By giving opportunity to improve — to think.

Be sincere — frank ^

vii

Vlii CONTENTS

PAGE

V. HOW MANUFACTURERS' INTEREST HAS

BEEN MANIFESTED 35

I. In the factory :

1. In improving exterior 35

Remove rubbish 36

Lawns 39

Supply shrubbery 40

2. In improving interior 43

Physical conditions— light — air—cleanliness — paint and color — decorations

— curtains and shades to windows.. 43

Flowers 44

3. In personal comfort 47

Examination by physician and provision for accident 47

Baths, lockers, etc 48

Toilet rooms 52

Chairs — backs and foot-rests 52

Elevators, ice water, etc 55

Shorter work hours 55

Recreation 56

Lunch rooms and restaurants 59

Factory auditoriums 76

Club houses 79

4. In mental and moral training 86

Opportunity — the best incentive 86

Apprentices 86

Prizes for suggestions 90

Encouraging education — training schools — night classes, etc. — stereop-

ticon, etc 98

Factory meetings — of all people 103

Library and reading rooms 107

Factory publications 108

5. Special attentions for women no

Hours and recesses 113

Toilet and aprons 114

Rest rooms 115

CONTENTS IX

V. HOW MANUFACTURERS' INTEREST HAS BEEN MANIFESTED— {Continued).

I. In the factory : page

6. Savings funds, pensions, purchases,

and special features 116

Homes for aged 116

Thrifts 116

Pensions 119

Railroad relief funds 120

Loan funds — provident funds 125

Buying bicycles, sewing machines,

etc 127

II. In the community 128

House building 128

House beautifying 138

Schools, kindergartens — reason 161

Social centers 163

Libraries 169

Play grounds 173

VI. HOW FACTORY PEOPLE HAVE SHOWN

THEIR INTEREST 173

Clubs and literary societies 175

Musical societies 176

Relief associations 179

Lunch clubs 188

Cooperation 191

VII. RESULTS I93_

To employer 193

To employe 194

To society 194

VIII. OPINIONS 197

Experience of employers 197

Experience of employes 202

Observation of students 205

Magazine and newspaper opinions 207

Key to Illustrations.

In order to save space and avoid repetition, the institutions, whose features are shown in the illustrations are indicated by letters as follows :

(a) Gorham Manufacturing Company.

(b) National Cash Register Company.

(c) L. H. Parke & Company.

(d) Acme White Lead and Color Works.

(e) Cleveland Hardware Company.

(f) Cleveland Window Glass Company.

(h) Ludlow Manufacturing Company.

(i) Briarcliff Farms.

(k) Westinghouse Air Brake Company.

(1) The Draper Company.

(m) The Bullock Electric Company.

(n) Cleveland Twist Drill Company.

(o) Eastman Kodak Company and F. A. BrownelL

(p) Lever Brothers Company.

(q) Cadbury Brothers.

(r) Walker & Pratt Company.

(t) Garlock-Frazee Laundry Company.

(u) Cleveland Bag Company.

(v) Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company.

(w) Cleveland City Railway.