Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/752

 738 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

endeavor to correct some of the evils complained of in this manner. Foremen and subforemen are not eligible for these prizes, but twenty of the officers and foremen receive a commis- sion upon all sales of goods. There is no danger that an idea of a subordinate may be appropriated by one higher in authority. Each one gets the benefit of his own interest in the work. And the finished article, representing nearly 400 patents, is thus the product of both the skill and the thought of the working force which uniformly has an interest in the success of the business foreign to most large factories.

The Advance Club is one of the most characteristic features of the establishment. It is composed of the officers, foremen, assistant foremen, heads of departments, and all in authority ; fifty members of the rank and file are chosen alternately from the main body of the factory employes to take part in each meeting. These meetings are held in the factory theater each Friday morning at 10: 30, the session lasting for an hour and a half of the company's time. The object of the club is the advancement of the general interest of the company. Here are offered criticisms and suggestions for the benefit of the company or its employes, and here come up the criticisms and suggestions made by the employes in the manner described. This club also includes the training school when it is in session. But not only do the fifty chosen from the rank and file receive the benefit of these meetings, but the proceedings are published in full in the Advance Club Record, issued each week and distributed to each of the employes.

In this paper are other items of interest concerning the work of the enterprise, and a record of the suggestions and complaints entered. The record of every salesman and of each sale made, no matter in what part of the globe, is published. There is no vari- ation from the selling price, and each may know the cost of production. One of the most striking features of the enterprise is the publicity given to all of its affairs. The truck boy, if he wishes, may keep as well informed as a member of the Offi- cers' Club. The usual aristocratic industrial organization is so modified as to be scarcely recognized. The same confidence is