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About St. Helens mist. (St. Helens, Or.) 1913-1933 | View Entire Issue (July 2, 1920)
THE ST. HELENS MIST. FRIDAY. JULY 2. 1920. PAGE SIX NO EMPLOYEES; ALL MEMBERS By Edward C. Botten They don't use ttia term "em ployees" In the Dili n I and varnish factory of the Arco t'ouipuny. In stead, it is "members" members of the Arco organization. ' As oue of the officers of the company says, "We are trying to get away from the old idea of employers and employees. It is one of the greatest drawbacks existing in industry today. From the president to the office boy we are all members of an organization engaged in necessary' production and the president is in every sense an employee of the company as much as the office boy or any operative. So where Is the sense in making any uuuinction, when we are all on the same footing?" That is ihe key to the operation of the Arco factory and to the relation ship existlcg there among all the workers in it those who devote to the company their business, technical and executive ability, and those who contribute their strength, skill ana mechanical ability. For here lias been worked out the modern idea of industrial democracy as completely and successfully as in any manu facturing establishment in Cleveland. In fact, the Arco factory is prob ably tlo first in this city that has adopted the plan devised and advo cated by John Leitch, the Cleveland man who a dozen years ago, gave up everything else to devote his life to the promoting of better personal re latlonshioj in industry. It may have been the first in the country to do so. Kor S. D. Well, then manager of the factory and now vice president of the company, knew John Leitch in the days when his industrial demo racy plan was only in the theoretic stage, and to him Leitch talked about It enthusiastically. It seemed goou to this experienced, progressive ex ecutive, and eventually, through his efforts nd the assistance of Leitch. It was put into practice in the Arco i In the Arco factory is the familiar in production, under the eight-hour system, amounting to 27 per cent. And Uiis was no spasmodic effort, either. The production Increase dur ing last February was 147 per ceiM in paint and 132 per cent iu varnish and during March, 69 per cent In paint and 74 per cent in varnish. These astonishing results huve been obtained through the spirit and system of industrial democracy that has been developed iu the factory. Much of the Increased production has been brought about by improvements in methods and machinery, conceived and carried out by the men working with them. - Pumping systems for the handling of liquid materials and con. veying systems for the moving of solids have been devised and installed by the men in the factory, greatly increasing the output, without re quirement of additional labor. A card system originated autl developed in the same way, records all the work in the factory in such a way that every man knows what he has done and what he is expected to do in a day and keeps the process of manufacture proceeding steadily at a known rate without delays in pro gressing from one operation to an other. Just one suggestion made by a worker has saved the factory 80,000 operations, with a saving in cost of $3,000 per year. That num. who has been with the company fifteen years, now has what might he called a "swell Job." Another device, sug gested by a member of the organiza tion, simplifies, shortens and reduces the expense of the machine process of mixing paints. Still another has greatly increased the capacity of the grinding machines. The officers ot the company give to industrial dem ocracy much of the credit for the growth that has made necessary two buildings now being added to the factory, which will increase the ca pacity of the paint department 60 per cent and the varnish department 160 per cent. The Industrial democracy system plant. That was more than ten years ago and industrial democracy has been In operation there ever since. Prob- federal plan consisting of a cabinet. a house of representatives and a sen ate. The cabinet is made up of the general manager, the general factory ably in no other place can any doubt Vmanager, the production manager, as to the practical working out of the the technical director and the serv plan be so conibletelv met bv actual I ice department manaeer. or the men demoifiitration as here. After ten whose duties correspond to these po- years of experience with it, not only xne company but the members of the Arco organization as a whole are more than satisfied. "We wouldn't care to run the business without it," Is the declaration of Vice President Well, who gives much of his personal attention to the operation of the factory. That the plan works as well with a small personnel as with a number of workers too large to permit of constant personal contact with them by the management, is demonstrated by the fact that the Arco factory force consisted of only forty-two men when it was instituted there. At present there are 180 men in the factory and 100 members in the office force. Only 3 per cent of Ulieni are foreign-born. Fully 20 per cent either own their own homes or possess homes they have partially paid for. Some of them have been with the company a long time at least six have eighteen years of serv Ice to their credit. There has never been any serious labor difficulty in the factory. It is insisted upon that every member must be sufficiently conversant with tho English language within six months after joining the organization to understand clearly any directions given him. No edu cational classes are maintained, but any worker needing helD of this kind is advised, shown how and assisted 10 get it. One-third of the men In the fac tory entered the government service during the war. Their places were kept open for them. A short time ago all but two had returned to th factory, and each receives more pay now man wnen ne left, while most of them have been fitted In practical patriotism and fair play that Is worthy of attention. When the Industrial democracy plan was put into effect, the workday in the factory was ten hours. The proposition was made to the men In 1911 that It would be reduced to nine hours with no reduction of pay if they would keep up the old rate of production. The offer was accepted, fcnd not only was the production kept up, but it was increased by 24 per cent. Just before the war began the present standard of a forty-eight-hour week was tried out on the under standing that it would he adopted if there was no decrease In production, the pay to remain on the nine-hour basis. The result was an increase sltions. The senate is composed of j on foreman elected from each of ! eight factory sections devised for the purpose, together with two members I from the main office. The house of I representatives consists of a repre sentative elected by ballot for each of i ten factory sections deviBed for that purpose, together with two represeut-1 atives from the main office. i There Is no limitation on the Ques tions that may be considered by the 1 congresss. Every measure coming i oetore it ts prepared in the form of a bill bearing a number, vi in a law making body. Whatever passes the house or the senate must be con curred in by both before it goes to the cabinet, which hus the reauuiiHl- bility of putting It into effect, utter: it has concurred also. The procedure I is about the same as that followed by all legislative bodies. The cabinet, however, Is not in vested with the veto power, the pol icy being to reach all conclusions by common agreement. In case any j bill passes back and fortli anion? i house, senate and cabinet with no immediate prospect of an agreement j by this method, a mass meeting of ull i three Is held, the subject Is threshed j out thoroughly and the bill is pAsVed j or defeated by a majority voto of ull. I In the more than ten years that the I congress has been In existence In ' the Arco factory, resort to this ex- ! pedient has been required only twice. A general meeting of the entire factory organization is held once ev ery month. At this meeting a bul letin is submitted containing an ab stract of the minutes of the house and the senate for the procedlng month, and any other matters of gen eral Interest pertinent tl the occasion. In this runner the congress and the cabinet are kept informed of the sen timent of the organization as a whole upon all subjects under considera tion. Upon the suggestions of the execu tives, an Industrial relations commit tee was appointed, consisting of four members from the factory and four from the offices, to draw op a profit sharing plan. They reported In favor of a service appreciation fund, and it was adopted. It functions In this way: The company credits each mem ber of the organization, after one year of service, with 5 per cent of his pay, up to a limit of $3,000 of pay annually. Those earning more '.than $3,000 get credit for only 6 per cent of that sum. If a member elects to save 6 per cent of his pay, the company Increases its percentage, in credit, 1 per cent a year, up to 10 per cent. At the end of six yeai'H his money will have earned approxi mately 74 per cent. At the end of ten years the member Is privileged to draw out all the money held to his credit. If lie leaves the organization for any reason he receives what ho is entitled to. The fund is In the care of trustees appointed fly tho orgaui aatlon. The wage question is handled in the following manner: A committee con listiug of the plant manager, produc tion manager, and service manager, with the president of the cabinet as an ex-offlcio member, sits once every thirty days to go over the cards of all members of the Arco organiza tion. In addition to these cards, which give the complete record of each member from tho time of his employment, the committee has the rate book, which shows tho hourly rate by month for two years past and the pay earned by each member per week. In onier to enable the committee to judge all wage ques tions fairly, the foremen of the de partments are called iu for Informa tion as to the general character, work performances, etc., of the members concerned. Tho foremen are in structed to report all requests for In creased pay to tho service department 'within twenty-four hours of the tini they are made. There the wage ques ;ion Is treated Individually for each member and prompt action is guaran teed. A suggestion box is maintained and every member Is urged to contribute to it. Prizes are awarded for the best suggestions by a committee rep resenting the house, senate and cab inet. A factory dining-room Is operates by the organization, providing warm meals at the cost or materials and service. A Commissary department Is being organized whereby member. can buy household supplies ot various kinds at wholesale prices. There i a factory store, any profit from which is used for the upkeep of the dining room. A branch of the public library Is maintained In the factory and the members are encouraged to use It. A record Is kept of the liooks drawn by each as a means ofga uging hi: mental development and inclination-; The service department does all the employing and looks after the per sonal welfare of the members. Kv ery case of absence from work Is In vestlgatd by visitation to the home and the cause set down on tho record card of the individual, which, by the way, affords fairly complete data or his personality and history. Every body In the factory Is free to go to .'bis department for help or advice in any matter, and it is given when possible. The door la always open and there ure no rules to he observed. A medical dispensary Is maintained In the laboratory for free use. PUplaved throughout the factory where lliev are most likely to bo rea.l ure buletlns. Mere are two of tl i: TWELVE TIIINtiS TO KKM KM lll.U. The. Value of Time. The Success of Perseverance. The Pleasure ot Working. Tim Worth of Character, i The hinnlty of Simplicity. The Power of Kindness. The Influence of Kxainplo. The obligation of I Mil. v. The Wisdom of Economy. The Virtue of Patience. The Improvement of Talent. The Joy of Originating. Il is nil right to be too PUO!'l to beg and too IIONKST to steal. If you are not too damned lazy to work. The above story from the Sunday News Lender of Cleveland Is printed for the information of many Colum bia county people who use Altt'O pro ducts, and for the benefit of those who contemplate using paint, enamel ,or varnishes. Well paid, loxal em ployees iu tho well equipped AKCO .i.ciory produce (Mints ol exceptional merit." Von want the best. 1 know, and t tin I is reason I am telling you something of the AKCO organization ..ml the work they do. Many enterprising merchants In Columbia coiliuv handle the Altt'O line of paints. The AKCO COM PA NY, for fifty years has been rec ognized as one of the world's largest palnl producers. For forty years ;'i ir pri'd ucis :iave i a used by inil- I'ous of people and AKCO paints have stood the test of time. If your merchant does not carry the AKCO Hue, write me and I will see to It that you ohlcin AKCO You want the best ,'u.l should have II and A lit O Is the best. S C. MoiMTYN. Arco Koprcsoutatlvo for Northern and Kastern Oregon. St llel.ii-., Oregon. Pi: Id Advt. Have vou noticed tun rapid growth if the Mist Want Ad column A V 1 y n n & Cornthwaite Columbia County Agents (or MWWI I L, lit lSO, til II.. Ml US AMI I NSEX i i'omoiiii.i:n Shop and Salesroom O n Itlork east of S P. .'. S. depot. St. Helens. Oregon. EAT Hood" Ice CreJ EVERY DAY IT'S GOOD FOR Yo. At "MASON'S" Q4 Loss of AitiK'tile As n general rule there Is not bin;: serious about a Ion f appetite, and If you skip a meal or only eat two meals a day fo; a few d.iv: oii soon have a relish for cir tn-.i 1 when meal time conies Hear In mind that at least five hours should elapse between meals so as to givi the food ample time to digest and the stomach a period of rest before a second meal Is taken. Then if you eat no more than you crave am, take a reasonable amount of outdoor exercise every day vou will not nee,; to worry-about your Appetite. Wbe.: tho loss of appetite ia caused l.y constipation as Is often the ram., that should he corrected at once. A di s of Chamberlain's Tablet will do It ST. HELENS BAKERY J. I!. KAMSICY, Prop. Krosli Bread, Rolls, Cakes and Pies. Liolu lunches served at all hours wtili a cup ol good coffee. Don't Forget! That we alwny have the latest in Fountain Specialties St. Helens Bakery St. Helens Oregon :: w 1 1. sovs i:n-ii wit stoke Ooods Itoiiglil, Kohl and Ex changed. Housekeeping rooms 1 uruislieil u ii il I nfiirnlslHsl ItiHinm. loiiltoii .... Oregon if I The June Bride Bridal presentg tiro as essential as the veil. We have them In Agate Rings. Stick Pins, Pennaiiu und a variety of useful un. pretty June wedding prettenth. We also have a Hplendld lino of high grade wrist watches-.,,,,,! other watchea Hamilton und Klgin. You will find our mice, reasonable. 1 VON A. GRAY Reliable Watchmaker and Jewclc YOU DONT T A K V. JUST ANY THING THAT IS HANDF.l) TO YOU NEITHER DO I I have nit ohm Ideas nbiml running grocery stoic, anil chief among these W Ibis one: Thai I am piiiil l.y the oininlllilf v I serve In u,- 1 1 in most illsi rluilnat Ion In selecting men biuulise, mill not lake llie rirsl thing Dial Is olfere.l m unless II Ik the late- uonl on I lie .illijct I. on can always secure the best on Hie market by phoning THOMAS H. ROY The Money Saving Grocer. Phone 42 Hie Yosl Value T, teM In yimllly DO YOUR Fourth of July Buying EARLY AND NOW We have a splendid line of men's and boys' suits for your inspection and selection. ome in today and make your choice. Also a full and rom plete line of Shoes. A fine assortment of neckties. Come to Ht. Helena and celebrate. Join us in making the day one lonjr to be remembered, i'ou ure In viUMl to make our store your head quarter. Drop n ,! muk our acquaintance. Wo will endeavor to treat you ritflit. E.M.HEL0N III H urmm" Oils, Gasoline and Ti ires Efficiency, Compclency Promptness i . .. i PUT YOUR SAVINGS In a good wiving" bank they may earn minieinlnl to you. Idle money I" uwl mutiny. Put yearn to work'' opening au account lire. You'll rind the Intercut will Increw yi;iir savlngM HiirprlMliiKly- FIRST NATIONAL BANK Member Pederul lteMrvu Hyntem HAS. (iltAIIAM. PreHldiiut. . A. ('1111.03. Cnhl St. Helens Iron & Marine Works ';oot of St. Helens Street St. Helen, Ore. A completely equipped shop for all kinds of machine work, marine work, welding, bra ing, general machine and blacksmith work. Bring us your ' ork. No job too small, none too large. Prices reasonable consis tent with good workmanship. J- W. AKIN, Mgr. G. B. DUCKWORTH, Asst. Mgf- W. A. LEVI, Sec'y.-Treas.