Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/767

 POSSIBILITIES OF THE PRESENT INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM 753

example has been set by the party usually proclaiming the doc- trine. It is possible for the workmen to appreciate that they are performing a social service and not merely enriching their employer or making their own bread and butter ; possible for them to realize their share in the finished product and take a just pride in it. It is possible to find a large body of workmen among whom strikes and general discontent are unknown, and where industrial relations are unqualifiedly approved by organ- ized labor, frequently supposed to be satisfied with no relations of loyalty and good-will between employer and employed. It is possible to reduce hours of labor in the face of competition and to profit by the reduction. It is possible to build up an enlightened, prosperous, happy, and healthy community around a factory, and have that community take an intelligent interest in the welfare of the industry and the advancement of the com- munity life. There is a growing demand for publicity in many business affairs now thought to be entirely of a private nature. Society is making this demand for its own welfare, though at pres- ent such publicity is thought to be destructive of the continued prosperity of the enterprise. This enterprise has demonstrated that publicity is no injury, but rather an advantage. Especially does this publicity create an intelligent response upon the part of the operating force to the demands of the business.

All this has been done in the course of an ordinary business career. While it is true that such endeavors are not " philan- thropy " in the ordinary sense of the term, yet on the other hand they are not mere expedients for increasing profits, though the efforts have been financially remunerative. It must be rec- MLfiii/cd that the basis of this concord between employer and employe \* justice ; or, ,is this employer has stated it, modifying an old utilitarian adage, " it pays to be just."

PAUL MONROE. TF.ACHKRS' COLLEGE, New York city.