FACTORY OF THE FUTURE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 268, 8 August 1919, Page 7

FACTORY OF THE FUTURE

fMr. Sown tree is a director in tho firm of Rowntree and Co,, and author of a number of social and industrial studies.] Mr. B. Scebohm'Rowntree, in a speech recently delivered to the students attending a week-end lecturo school of works managers,' foremen, and forewomen, outlined his dream of the ideal factory of the future, a dream which tho entire school received with enthusiastic approval. His ideal factory, he said, would be built qutsidc tho town amid gardens and playing fields. As to its interior, ho would get rid of any institutional or "workhouse" appearance; there would be special attention to lighting, ventilation, and the reduction of noise and vibration; there would be the best canteen to be had for money; a works dojetor in daily attendance, with an oculist, dentist, and nurse and rest rooms .wherever necessary. The liours he would work would be tho ascertained minimum number that would enablo him to produce the necessary output.

"As to my relations towards trade unions," said Mr. Rowntree, "from tho outset I shall regard, them as my friends. I I shall encourage all my people to join their trade union, and they shall havo half an hour-each week for the collection of contributions. With regard to the government of my business, 1 shall try to gather round nie the very best men I can lay hands on, 'but I will only get men who havo the same ideals about industry. 'I am going to keep the financial and commercial sido of this business in my own hands, but so far as industrial administration is concerned I am going .to ask my workers to co-operato tp tho fullest possible extent, tor my managers and foremen I am only going to have gentlefolk, gentlemen and gentlewomen from whatever walk of life they aio drawn. J am.going fo tell them they are to ho leaders of men, and lo remind them that they can only lead from the front; they drivo from hfeliind. I shall encourage overlookers and foremen to form an association amongst themselves. With regard to the workers, I will start straight away to place responsibility upon them by building up a system of councils. As to payment there should be a basic wage and a secondary wage. That basic wago should enablo a'man to live, marry, and bring up a normal family in a decent home, whilo leaving a margin for contingencies and recreation. Beyond this there would bo an output bonus."