1926-05-25 — Page 7

CABLES.

4.

(THROUGH REUTER'A AGENCY.].

LOYAL AFRICA.

INDIGNATION AT PROPOSED CHANGE IN FLAG.

LONDON, May 24th

The Union of South Africa is greatly agitated over the Government's Flag Bill, which provides for the introduction of a new national flag, from which the Union Jack is omitted. The Rand and Natal are particularly indignant, and protest meetings are being held in many parts of the country.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, MAY 25TH, 1926

THE SECRET OF HIGH WAGES.

"DAILY MAIL MISSION TO AMERICA,

BIG OUTPUT AND NO CLASS HATRED.

We print below a report from Mr. William Mosses (formerly general secretary of the United Patternmakers' Association and general secretary of the Federation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades), eiving his conclusions with regard to the Daily Mail Mission of enquiry into the secret of the high wages paid in the United States.

Mr. Mosses accompanied, as technical adviser, & British members of the engineering trade unions who made a 5,000-miles tour in which they visited the greatest of the American industrial plants.

The Industrial Mission sent to the The chief-it might be said the only 'nited States by the faily Mail to in-object of the American manufacturer is vestigate and report on" working "rondi- production. and still more production, The Union Jack in flying everywhere, tians in that country was unique, inas- and to achieve that object he is prepared outside shops, on motor-ears, and in much as it was entirely composed of to sucrifice anything and everything prople's buttonholes. Some of the lead-workmen who were members of their ap- which stands in the way of achieving the ing Labour Ministers have threatened to

maximum. He will pay high wages to regign if the measure is proceeded with.

his workmen, grant them amenities dreamt of in this country, but they must work to the limit of their powers and submit to individual hargnining while, A far as machinery is concerned, a chance remark overheard at the break- I have no permanent ma- fast table, chinery," exactly symbolises the position. In the big plants visited no man is al

There is likelihood of Col. Hertzog

postponing the further stages of the Bill in view of the intensity of feeling.

GOLF..

AMERICAN BID FOR BRITISH AMATEUR TITLE

AIRFIELD. May 24th. Jn ideal weather the greatest bid ever made by America for the British Amateur Golf title was opened this morning. The

propriate trade unions and were actually employed at their respective occupations. They numbered eight and represented the following branches of the engineer ing industry-Fitters, turners, black- smiths, hoilermakers, moulders, and pat- teramakera,

In addition the Mission was accompanied by a representative of the Daily Unit and a Technical Adviser, The Mission Arrived in New York on

part on

lowed to do work which can be done by a machine, and it is claimed that every workman has from 3 to 4-horse-power at his elbow. Standardisation has been art and users have evidently been runcated to regard this feature of manufacture as inevitable.

Tursday, March 9th, returning from that April 10th, and during the Period they were in the country they visited Schenectady, Buffalo, Niagara, to a Detroit Flint, Chiengo, Gary, Washing ton, Baltimore, Fittsburgh, Ambridge. Cincinnati-around of approximately 5,000 miles, in the course, of which 4 Cowan (Edinburgh University) bent establishments of varions kinda Fownes, Jun. (Oakmont), 4-.

was:

Robinson

first result returned. (Nouthport) defeated Brooks (Glenecho),

7-5.

7

Twenty-three are now left, including the whole of the Walker Cup competitors. one of which, Mackenzie recorded the first success for America, by hearing Guild

Murray Field), 3-2

EGYPTIAN ELECTIONS.

OVERWHELMING SUCCESS" OF ZAGHLULIST COALITION.

CAIRO, May 23rd

The Ittehadiats were routed as the

elections, the Zaghlulist Coalition having captured all 20 seats in which results have so far been declared.

The Sgures in 13 constituencies show that the Coalitionists polled es,000 votes against their opponents 1,300. In onë case Azmy Pasha, and ex-Minister of War and a prominent Ittehadist muster. ced three votes against his opponent's

6.99

visited.

were

OBJECT OF THE MISSION. '. Immediately on its arrival the Mission got into touch with the local representa- tive of the American Federation of Labour, as also with the headquarters of that body in Washington, which city was reached while the Executive Counci! were in session, and the remainder of the itinerary was determined on the advice and with the personal assistance of that body.

The. Mission was undertaken in view of the acute depression which has existed in the engineering trade in Great Britain during the last five years and to ascer trin, by personal inspection and insesti gation, whether high wages, mass pro- duction, standardisation, and the use of up-to-date machinery were responsible which for the abounding prosperity characterises that industry in the United

States.

Every facility was given the members of the Mission to conduct their enquiries in their own way, the usual plan being to undertake a general survey of the of the Mission to break off and investi- gate closely the methods and machinery with which they were most familiar at haine, and, asertain from the workman the conditions under which he was er ployed.

The results hitherto, including Un -opposeds, are: Zaghlalists, 88: Liberals,piant, then for the individual members

15 Nationalists. 3: Independents. 3; Ittehadists. Y. The first three constitute a blue in which there are 214,sents.

POLISH ZINC MINES:

FINANCIERS REACH AGREEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT.

WARSAW, Mng gard.

Harriman and Representatives of Anaconda, Ginancial concerns have de finitely signed a Gual agreement with the Polish fiovernment to purchase the zine maines in Polish Upper Silesia. involving further investments of over $10,000,000

STEAMER ABLAZE.

FRENCH

PETROLEUM BOAT SERIOUSLY DAMAGED.

LONDON, May 23rd. It is reported from Dunkirk that the French steanser Omphale," from Port Arthur with petroleum, took fire in "port

inst night.

The fire wisa extinguished by steam injection.

The damage in apparently serious.

The result of there investigations will he presented in separate reports. It may be noted, however, that, in cases of intense mass production, this course was impossible, and the members of the Mis sion bad to content themselves with a general survey of the various operations. UNEMPLOYMENT NEGLIGIBLE. Not the least valuable of the methods of acquiring information was afforded by invitations to individual workmen to meet their prototypes of the Mission in a few hours of social intercourse, where, under the inspiration of the American untional beverage ice water much valu- able information was gleaned as to the social and industrial status of the Ameri- can workman,

It may be stated right away that there ja so such thing as & recognised indus trial standard for American workmen. either with regard to hours, wages.

standard of workshop conditions," or living. The speed with which, the Mis- sion worked compelled somewhat hasty

but it

clearly generalisation, brought out that there was little uni formity in any district, city, or even in

any plant of instance.

WAK

The present portion of the engineer ing trade in the citricts visited is good and practically no ren are unemployed this condition is, however, comparatively recent, and up to a few months ago there THE MOROCCAN WAR."

were proportionately many men out of work as in Great Britain. The reason for this sudden improvement appear to PARIS, May 23rd. It is reported from Fez that friendly be the enormous development in electrical engineering and the abounding pros tribesmen this morning, captured Tarperity in the motor-manufacturing in- quist and the surrounding positions.

(RXUTER'S LUBRICAN SERVICE]

AMERICAN FLIGHT.. FROM NEW YORK TO BUENOS

AIRES.

dustry.

fine

In some cases sick and pension clubs are financed by the Arnis and a much more generous scale of benefit is paid than is possible by outside organisations. Rewards are granted for long service by means of holidays with pay as well se bonus payments A majority of the large plants provide, at a minimum of cost to the worker, an insurance for every condition which is likely to arise while he is employed by that firm.

Searching enquiries were 'made as to whether any compulsion was exorcised to compel workmen to bind themselves to their employers by means of these amenities, or whether those who did no were placed in a more favourable, posi- tion regarding preferment than others who took the whole of their wages home,

were

The most emphatic amarances given that this was not the case, that all these schemes were entirely voluntary.

and that' no man suffered if he declined

join any ameliorative institution in which the firm was interested. Similar enquiries were made among the workmen, not only inside but outside the works, and not a particle of evidence was obtain- able but that these varied amenities were entirely voluntary.

་, ༢, ་

EVERY MAN A STOCKHOLDER. It may be noted that in one generating station every workman was a stockholder in the firm, and in a large steel works 60 per cent. of the employees were in a similar position.

The working conditions in the various workshops visited by the Mission were much more onerous than are experienced in our manufacturing plants, although everything that mechanical ingenuity can High wages, high production, and high devise is used to ease the human factor. consumption are the three factors which Whenever it is possible, the job is combine to produce a successful indas-brought to the man instead of the man ry in any country, but high consump going to the job. As an example of this, I was shown a coloured man," employed tion is undoubtedly the most important. It is beenuse America can consume the in a brass foundry, who moved 0 tons of material in a day of eight hours and whole of her products that industry is on so much higher a level there than in set walked only 11 miles: Great Britain, Ring-fence the United States and its inhabitants would suffer little inconvenience. Do the same with Great Britain and all its people would perish in a very few weeks.

VITAL SALESMANSHIP.

The marketing of our goods, however, is a question for the employers, although to their workmen the profitabile disposal of the result of their handicrafts is a matter of vital importance.

When questioned with regard to the number of women workers on machines. the manager of this establishment ar knowledged that their employment was due to the necessity for impressing upon male employees the fact that their posi tions could easily be filled by women if they proved recalcitrant.

1%

to

NO WISH TO CHANGE. All repetitive work is done on a con- reyer, which is speeded up so synchronise exactly with the capacity of the operators, who stand side by side, each limited to one task, which has to he completed in the few seconds the work It was a remarkable is within reach

The efficiency of a workman in any country is determined to a great extent by his psychology, and, that depends al- moat wholly upon his physical condition.

spruce females seated on each side of a which he works and liven. his operament, and the atmosphere insight to see rows of bobbed, gunchewing In all the large works visited by the rapidly moving conveyor and so busily Mission every applicant for work is sub-engaged with their work that not one of jected to a rigorous medical examinathem had time to east a passing glance upon the group of stalwart Britishers. those who can pass the

who had considerable difficulty in follow tion. Only highest test are employed on the more ing the movements of their

nimble strenuous productive processes. Men of

fingers. inferior physique are, if they are wanted, One would think that the deadly employed on minor and less arduous monotony of these processes would have duties

a detrimental effect upon the mentality The workshops are kept scrupulously of the operators. The largest frm en- clean. The corners of passages and gaged in the mass production of motor- cars evidently thought so, for some time stairs are whitened to show up dirt. Placards are profusely displayed enjoin-ng they issued orders that there should general change-over every three in the safety first" principle, and he considerable ingeauit is displayed in making these injunctions sufficiently startling to command immediate atten- tion. Cleanliness of both body and mind is also enjoined, the latter for the sake of the young persons beginning their, careers in the workshops.

COMFORT OF THE WORKERS. Shower-baths" and clothes-lockers are freely, provided and just as freely used." It was a sight not to be forgotten to see men, white as well as coloured, who while at work were so begrimed as to he almost indistinguishable from each other except for their fatial characteristics emerge from the factory clean and well dressed, and quite often driving away in their own motor-cars"

Canteen arrangements are admirable, and the members of the Mission, together with their guides, frequently par took of the saris lunch as was provided for the workmen, and found it excellent in quality and suficient in quantity Club houses are provided by all large firms and are available for use by the families of the workmen.

Educational facilities provided by these clubs do not appear to be generally used Medical dressing-stations and even has pitals are provided in many plants and are equipped with the latest surgical and medical appliances. The staffs of these dressing-stations appeared to be the on individuals in the establishments who had little or nothing to do a fact which indicates the efficacy of the safety first" injunctions so freely displayed throughout the plants visited by the Mission.

ENCOURAGING THRIFT

Much more substantial amenities, how. There are many observers who hold ever, are offered to their employees by the large engineering firms and power- that in the latter industry saturation

generating plants. Saving is encouraged point has been reached, but those who are and every workman is given an oppor chiefly concerned appear to have no fears, tunity to deposit his surplus wages with although they acknowledge that their his firm for a stated number of years exports to Britain have fallen off since generally five. He is paid per cent the imposition of duties under the Safe-interest on the amount deposited, and guarding of Industries Act.

months.

The workmen, however, strongly ob- jected, and the order was modified, so as to give anyone wishing for variety a chance to change over where opportunity offered. Very few are availing ther- selves of this chance to vary the mono- tony of their employment. The majority prefer the higher wages. they can un- doubtedly earn by continuing an opera tion in which they have become expert.

CHANCES FOR SPECIALISTS, There are no skilled workmen engaged its production, but if any specialist wishes to qualify for the tool room he is allowed to do so. Not many workers, however, show any disposition to im prove their status. They make more money and have less responsibility on mass production, although they have to work much harder than if they were en gaged on general skilled work.

There is but little regular apprentice ship in the engineering trade in the United States. The fact that boys in some States have to remain at school until they are 18 years old makes a five- year, apprenticeship inpossible. Fur thermore, boys can make so much money as specialists at various occupations that it is scarcely to he wondered that they dedine to bind themselves for a term as the wages usually paid to apprentices.

Most firms, however, have schools for the training of high-school youths as high-grade mechanicians, die-xinkers, and the like. It was a relief to get away from the rattle of the conveyor and the rows of grimy, and sweating men into the comparative quietude of these tool rooms, where one could hear, the honest impact of hammer on chisel, the scraping of a file, and watch the fashioning of tools of the most marvellous accuracy and of al- most diabolic ingenuity,

r

7

MEN WITH A KINK.

A maximum output is the goal for which all employers strive. They are.

[BY 2. PREDERICK GRAVER) willing to pay anything in reason and to sacrifice everything to attain this ob- "Everybody has a kink," said a famous alienist, giving evidence in a mental case ject. Nor do employees appear, to ob jest to one of their number exceeding recently, and a celebrated French author- the average production of the shop. Onsity has said we are all more or less insane. Probally they really mean that faw of coloured man, a machine brass moulder,

are perfently normal. Many great was pointed out as moulding 30 boxes & day against a shop average of 150. No people have their kinks; and the border lins between genius and madness is some objection was taken by his work-mates.

tires paribusly thin. The highly wrought brain is often overstrung and liable to yield or sag a little in some direction. The "kink" may show itself in a fad, such as kleptomania, avarice, or peculiari- ties of diet or clothing.

At the time of writing, wages are ·125. per cent, above pre-war rates, while the cost of living is 75 per cent, over pre-war prices.

1

123

MANAGERS FROM THE RANKS, Workshop relations between employers and workmen in the plants visited form an interesting study and have an import-thing. ant bearing upon production.

Every manager with whom the Mission came into contact had risen from the ranks. One of the most important had wheeled a barros in the great establish-

ment of which he is now chief. In every case the office door of the manager is open to any workman who thinks he has a grievance.

Many think that a person deranged is incapable of dealing etfretively with any

It may be so with the idiot, but many a lunatic has shown astonishing abilities in some directions-music. mathematics, or invention. I knew an asylum patient who pinyed the cello as few of the coa-

cert virtuosi can,

Bona lunaties have, moreover, strange powers of learning and wonderful mem cries. They had a maniue in Paris who could answer any question put from an encyclopædia and correctly give the dates of practically every event in history. In addition works committees have

There have been many mathematical and been instituted in all big establishments

other prodigies outside the asylums, and to deal with all workshop grievances ex-

'most of them have had their kinks.” cept those of a strictly personal characThey were not normal, and sometimes ter. One typical example of the consti- long way from it-na in the case of the tution of such a committee may be cited. boy who could do staggering feats in cal In a plant employing 5,000 workpeople culation, yet could alver wash or dress a works committee of 140 is elected by himself. ballot. They meet once every month and they find one hour ample time in which to deal with the business submitted to

them.

And yet there is a difference between eccentricity and insanity-though they run each other pretty close sometimes-as iu the case of the learned American univer In walking through the workshops the sity professor who (it is said) rarely party were surprised to note the cordial washed, lived on bailed onions, could attitude displayed by the workmen to never make up his mind unaided on any their managers. This display was quite matter, and had a distressing habit of usual and spontaneous, and although it discarding all his garments on hot days! is not urged that this atmosphere of easyWilliam Blake, brilliant though his familiarity is possible in British work-achievement was in poetry and art, was

never quite sane.. shops, because, after all, temperament and tradition count for something, there

Why is it that so often the brilliant in life The is no doubt that the personal good feeling academic scholar fails

and the of book-learning.. which is openly manifested in American Psychologist will tell you that the mere workshops has a stimulating effect upon accretion.

counts for little, for memory is one of the and not assumed appeared evident to production. That this feeling was rent development of the faculty of memory

lowest of the cerebral functions. uny onlooker.

The test comes when the brain has to make its own decisions, without the sup- port of rule or experience. Then comes the crucial test:

Keen observation and close questioning aade it perfectly clear that, as a general rule, the American workman is free from that abominable doctrine of class cor- sciousness and class, hatred which is be-

But, after all, it would be a dull world ing advocated in most European coun-if we were all turned out of one mould. tries by a noisy minority seeking to do nothing less than to drive a knife into the vitals of industry.

The American, like the vast majority of his British prototypes, wants square

them, and he is prepared to accept.con- deal, but he wants dollara layer ditions of service which would never be suggested by the employers or accepted by the workmen in this country.

The employers in the United States are not philanthropists in the conduct

their business. They are giving nothing away. They find that paying high wages and granting conditions such a

have already been enumerated are sound paying propositions

Their altruism is tempered to and re pilated by the one and only considera- tion will these amenities produce a maximum output Evidently their er perience indicates the reply to be in the affirmative. As a consequence there can The no question that at the present time the American workman is paid much better works herter, lives better, and produces more than his British contem-

porary"

FAITH IN BRITISH GOODS. In spite of the cordial relationship which evidently exists between employer and "workman in America, the former practises what he preaches and takes no

risks.

-

At the largest motor-car manufactory in the world it was noted with grim satis faction that the bullet-proof glass parti ions which surrounded all the cashiers' offices were imparted from England. though, the firm have a huge plate-glass maunfactory inside their works.

Particular enquiry was made as to the attitude towards industry of the trade union movement in the United States. It must be acknowledged that almost all the large establishments are open shops with a very meagre sprinkling of society

men.

... FIGHTING SHY OF UNIONS.

The trade unions exercise no active,

policy in regard to conditions of unploy ment. It may be explained that Ameri- can trade unions, while exacting a some what high rate of contributions, do not pay any friendly society benefits, and it is scarcely to be wondered at that workmen who are generously provided for by the workshop arrangements already outlined are disposed to fight shy of a trade or ganisation.

It would be quite inaccurate, however, to conclude that the uniona"exercise. no influence even in open shops. Their re presentatives have ready access to the managements and they invariably re ceive a courteous bearing, even. if they fail, for the time being, to obtain ́any material concessión. #

BRITONS WHO PREFER THE US.

What is the effect of working condi tions upon wen who have experienced them on both sides of the Atlantic?

working in the United States were asked: "Would you like to go back ta Many Englishmen and Scotsmen now

the Old Country

The invariable reply was an emphatic No!

ייד

During their stay in Washington the Mission paid their respects to the Presi- dent of the Caited States, Mr. Coolidge, who showed much interest in its work. Similar visits were paid to Mr. Dawas. Vice-President: the Secretary of Labour, Mr. J. J. Davis," who entertained the delegation a lanch and to the British Ambassador, Sir Esmé Howard, with whom a very pleasant hour was spent.

It only remains, for the members of the Mission to express their appreciation of the unfailing courtesy and practical assistance they experienced from every- ane with whom they came in contact dur- ing their visit to the United States They also desire to express their grati" tude to the proprietors of the Daily Mail, who instituted a project, novel and dar- ing in conception and generous in execution, which enabled a representative body of working engineers to profit by an experience which they will remember

will beneft the industry of which they

long as they live and which they trust. are proud to be members.

"

At a luncheon given by the Daly Mail, at the Savoy Hotel, London, to welcome the eight members of the high wagen Afission of Enquiry hack from the United States, Mr. Thomas Marlowe, chairman of Associated Newspapers, Limited, presided.

The toast of the King having been honoured, Mr. Marlowe recalled that, in a speech at Sunderland on January 27th last, the Prime Minister said:

I venture to think that no trade union leader could do better service to the cause. he represents than by investigating close ly what the methods are that enable the American workmen to enjoy a better standard of living than any other work- ing people in the world, to produce more, and at the same time to have so much higher wages,

Everybody who read that passage, Mr. Marlowe thought, would have said. "Why" does not the Government send out an enquiry of the kind?" It was the first question that arose in his mind, and he asked himself "Why does not the Daily Mail send?" (Applause.)

Mr. Mosses was asked to be technical adviser to the Mission, and he alone found the engineers to form it.

FROM £8 TO £20 A WEEK. Methods of remuneration in the States There is no trouble or likelihood of are almost invariably on the basis of trouble in the engineering trade in the payment by results. In some cases, in-

States. As a matter of fact,, important dividual piecework is the rule, but gen- general stoppages of work have been ex- AN UNFETTERED MISSION. erally a bonus on output is paid to all tremely rare for many years, the last be

No enquiry of any kind had been made actual producers in each separate departing the recent unsuccessful strike, of the end of the term he may either drament. The total earnings vary from £8 anthracite miners when, out of 100,000 by the Daily Mail into the political it out or invest it in the preferred stock to £20 a week,

men who were concerned, 10,000 were opinions or economic beliefs of any mem of the company'

There is no mazimum wage, A man delegated by the anion to remain at work bere of the Mission, and no one con- It is interesting to note that 10 per If he elects to use the savings in buy can earn as much as he likes. Once a and man the pumps, and in one mine, nected with the Daily Mail knew now cent of American manufactured pio ing a house for his own occupation, the price is fixed it is never altered except where a portion of the roof fell in, the what the political views of the members ducts are exported and that their total firm, either as a first or second mort by agreement with the operative. The superintendent communicated with the exports of merchandise exceed ours in gagor, will advance him the money re practice of setting the pace by the slowest strikers, who promptly sent 40 men to the ratio of 179 to 149, while their im-quired on much more favourable terms man on the job is unknown in the United clean up the fall and retimber the Aports of merchandise are in the proper than those offered by a banking or build-States. The more a man earns the better gangway.

I'tion of 160 to our 192. ·

Continued on next Column), ing corporation.

plessed is the Erm, which employs him.

NEW YOBE, May 24th. Senor Cernardo Duggan, a wealthy, Argentinian and two companions, start ed this morning on a fight to Buenos Aires. The first stop will be Charleston

in South Carolink.

OUTPUT AS CHIEF AIM.

were.

They were not the official representa.

with the knowledge and approval of their tives of any trade unions though chosen friends in the trade unions.