The effect on the worker, and on industry, which follows the adoption of labour-saving devices in the workshop and factory, is discussed by Mr. Dale in this, the final instalment, of his series of articles on Modern Industrial Psychology.

Labour-Saving Devices in Industry.

In concluding this series of articles, which have traversed a variety of fields, the general attitude must now be considered.

At the outset it must be admitted, quite frankly, that wherever labour-saving devices or labour-directing efforts have been made, there have been some difficulties. Not always have these been inconsiderable. It is wise, therefore, to take a wide view of the whole matter and examine the charges made against those methods which have been used to secure greater production.

Work and Profits.

The first question is, of course, the increase in profits which the methods are avowedly designed to make. As a matter of fact a moment's consideration will shew that some part of these find their way back to the worker. If you take a man from labouring work because he has ability in office work, then he receives additional wages. If all work produces a larger profit because of better directed effort some part of these extra profits must find their way to those engaged in the work, for it has become specialised work. To secure the right type it is essential that some additional reward must be offered. How great the addition must be depends upon the worker—it is simply a question of how much extra inducement must the employer offer the employees in order to make it worth their while to change habits which are often ingrained.

The average worker is quick to see that the distribution of profits is not the aim of any system of scientific management, but rather is it to increase output at the saving of physical exertion as noted in the first article. Money, whether profits or extra profits, does not enter into the field at all, for it is a method of work rather than results of work which is at the base of the whole matter.

The Effect of Increased Output.

When there is a satisfactory method evolved, the increased output means, economically, a drop in prices, since primary cost is less. This drop in prices means an increase in consumption of the commodity which, in turn, reacts by demanding more labour in production. Refer again to our boot trade. In spite of what the manufacturers say, if the trade adopts scientific management and “best methods” are used, the output will be increased. This wall enable the price to the wearer to be lowered. People who bought two pairs of boots formerly are now able to purchase more pairs—as much as they really need. This stimulation to buying would be reflected in the workshops, where those engaged would be more firmly entrenched in their jobs than ever.

Value of Machinery.

There is, in some quarters, a distinct aversion to the introduction of machinery as a labour-saving device. This is unfortunate, because, taken to its logical conclusion, there would be no work at all page 46 if we reverted to the simple system of using nothing but hands as a basis for labour and exchange of commodities.

There is another point, too, which a worker made during my investigations. In discussing “best methods” he stated that it took away the chance of being an individual, the craftsmanship outlook was lost because everything worked to a plan upon highly organised lines. The very fact that the assembly shop lays down

Snapped on Station Platform.
An enginedriver and his mate proceeding to “take over” at Auckland.

very carefully arranged methods does not mean the individual worker becomes an automaton. What it does mean is that the factors which enter into the job have been standardised for him, thus putting outside the sphere of choice the movements, etc., he may make.

The early, unorganised system is a method of work with its own set of laws equally with that of the new order. No matter what is done it conforms to some law or another, but not necessarily the best law. The fundamental principle in any “best method” is the utilisation of natural law to the fullest extent. No man training for sport is content to train anyhow, he is always out to use science as his ablest assistant. A university student gets up his subject upon scientific lines, his knowledge and practical work is not taken in any indiscriminate order, but in definite progression.

Science and the Worker.

Similarly then, in the factory, the unorganised method is not calculated to help the worker. Too often it is in direct opposition to natural laws, so that his body—his physical energies—soon pay the price. He becomes worn out. By standardising and selecting methods there is a regard for natural laws, and a conservation of energy which is, in the main, utilised as much after knock-off time as before. By such organisation greater freedom is, in effect, brought about. The retention of certain clearly defined movements makes them mechanical. They become habitual, and when that is brought about the employee works with considerably less effort than when the whole day he is compelled to think almost exclusively about his job.

It will be patent, too, that where science has come to the aid of the worker there is less chance of a break-down due to strain, for no foreman would work without a “pause principle.” The only matter which can really affect an employee so that he becomes completely “mechanised” (if such a term can be used), is by working unduly long hours. When this stage is reached, then it is time to make some effort to shorten the number of hours worked. I have no doubt such an arrangement would bring about the desired result very quickly, for human life is too precious to be so laid waste. However, that aspect does not appear to be imminent.

Craftsmanship and the New Order.

Nor does the system take away craft skill, which, too often, has proved itself to be extremely involved. Gilbreth studied the bricklayer's motions, reduced the whole process to a scientific basis, and instead of destroying the craftskill, gave a better craftskill altogether. Taylor did the same with pig-iron handling. History shows that, with the decay of the domestic system and the introduction of the industrial system, new craftsmanship was born. What was the movement but the utilisation of science in the cause of industry? If you ask “What of the man who used up all the screws in Auckland?” The simple page 47 actions he made were not those of a craftsman. Granted, but, as a rule, no man performs a single isolated movement only—his work, as a matter of fact, he regarded as the work of a craftsman, and in his work he delighted to utilise his skill as such.

Even granting a certain loss of trade secrets, no one can assert that it is detrimental to the worker from a financial point of view, and that, after all, is the chief factor in “close” trades, isn't it? It may assist in the marketing to spread the production through organised factories. As a matter of fact, one small factory of which I know, is at the present time reorganising on scientific lines, in order to market excellent “period” furniture, which was made almost entirely by hand. The output is not one whit inferior, yet the knowledge of several processes are now shared by all hands in the shop—it is the public who cannot tell the difference.

When all realise that Industrial Psychology can, and will, be a most useful handmaiden to employment, then we are well along the road to success.

Providing Seating Comfort for Travellers on the N.Z.R.
(Rly. Publicity photo.)
A corner of the Trimming Shop at the Department's Workshops, Otahuhu, North Island.

Carriage Insulation and Ventilation

An entirely new plan for sleeping car ventilation, recently employed by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, is of interest (says our London Correspondent).

The new ventilation method is known as the “Punkah” system. Home railway sleeping-cars are constructed on the compartment principle, with a side corridor running the full length of the vehicle. In each sleeping compartment, just over the bed head, a patent louvre is fitted. At the same height as the louvres, an air duct runs along the whole length of the corridor, connection being made to the louvres by a hole cut in the corridor partition. A centrifugal fan, direct-coupled to a 250-watt electric motor, is placed on the top of a linen cupboard situated at one end of the corridor, the motor being energised from the ordinary lighting set. By means of a valve, air can either be delivered to the berths, or extracted therefrom. Air from outside is passed through an oil filter, and the volume of air entering a berth is controlled by the individual passenger, who may shut off the supply completely, or partially, according to his needs. Under stiff trials, the L. M. and S. Railway states that even when passing through the longest tunnels, smoke and fumes were not delivered to the compartments.