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diff --git a/old/11090.txt b/old/11090.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..22c72c2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/11090.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3194 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Industrial Progress and Human Economics +by James Hartness + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Industrial Progress and Human Economics + +Author: James Hartness + +Release Date: February 15, 2004 [EBook #11090] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS *** + + + + +Produced by Christopher Bloomfield and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS AND HUMAN ECONOMICS + + + +By James Hartness + + +1921 + + +Extra Copies On Request + +Address all communications relative to industries to Commissioner +of Industries, Montpelier, Vermont. + +This book is published by private funds + +_Fellow Citizen_: + +Vermont's natural resources have been set forth in State +publications, not adequately, but nevertheless, in well +prepared publications. + +Supplementing such publications this book deals with our human +resources, showing the way by which our greatest resource--human +energy--can be most effectively employed. It uses the welfare of +man as the yardstick of measure rather than treating the subjects +under the head of natural resources. + +At the present time the productive power of a day's work varies +greatly throughout the country. It reaches its highest point where +the most efficient implements and machines are used; where there +is a high degree of special ability acquired by each executive and +workman, such as has been attained in our highly specialized +manufacturing industries, many of which may be found in our +neighboring states. The upbuilding of such organizations is only +in its infancy. There is now a natural drift away from congested +cities to adjacent states where plants and homes may be spread out +over larger areas. + +The personal side of this to each man is the supreme need of a +better understanding of human economics; that is, he must know the +best way to use his own energies, and since he must work in +cooperation with others he should also know what constitutes the +most effective and successful organization. As a skilled worker, +as a scientist in some branch of the work, as an executive in +charge of some department, as a manager, investor or banker, he +must keenly sense the conditions on which progress is made. + +This book is written for the progressive young man as well as all +those directly or indirectly interested in industrial development. +It is at once a text book and a reference book, for, as a workman +or executive advances he will find need of information on many of +the points herein set forth. + +If the book has no immediate interest to you, please pass it along +to another. + +Faithfully yours, + +[Signature: James Hartness] + +_Governor_. + + + +FOREWORD. + +The purpose of this book is to indicate the natural way to +increase our industrial development. To accomplish this there is +set forth an outline of an industrial policy. This policy relates +to procedure and methods for starting and managing industrial +plants. + +It conforms to our economic conditions and offers the safest and +easiest course. + +While it is written to create more desirable industrial +establishments within the state and to increase the vitality of +the existing plants, it is distinctly a guide for the individual, +for it facilitates the progress of the man as well as that of the +state. + +It is a practical policy that stimulates and energizes the +industrial spirit and at the same time, directs our energies along +the easiest road of progress in personal and state development. + +It sets forth certain fundamental principles that apply broadly to +all activities, but specifically to manufacturing and the means +and methods that must be employed to win in the industrial +conquest. + +To the investor it provides the best measure by which he can +estimate the economic soundness and prospects of an enterprise. It +gives confidence in right projects, making money available for +things that are right, and reducing the hazard of investments by +eliminating the badly or indifferently managed organizations and +those founded on unsound policies. + +To the men in an organization it is also of great value, for by it +they can estimate their own prospects for progress. They risk not +only their earning power but their chances for personal +development. Their chances in acquisition of high degree of +ability and in advance from position to position also depends upon +the policy of management and success of the enterprise. The loss +of opportunity of any of these men really transcends the loss of +money, for it involves the loss of personal development and all +that that means. + +It is obvious too that the management of each organization will be +of a more successful type when the entire personnel grasps the +essentials of industrial development. + +When these essentials are understood and recognized as standards +of measure there will be less conflict between the investors and +the managers. Then it will be possible for managers and all others +to use all of their energies wholly for progressive work rather +than using a large part of their time and energy explaining each +move to the investors. + +Managers need the support and confidence of the investors. Every +day requires a firm adherence to a definite policy. Nothing less +than the firmest determination will hold an organization to a true +course. With a division of opinion, the natural drift is away from +the standards on which modern success depends. Not only is it +necessary to have these principles understood by investors, but +also by all whose opinions will in any way affect the spirit of +the men in the organization. + +The whole scheme, as it is set forth, is true to the fundamentals +of human economics, for it provides ways by which the energies of +mind and body are used most effectively. It brings a progressive +growth and creates in each the greatest productive capacity. So +that, as individuals and as a state, we will produce the greatest +value for a given amount of labor. + +It is the only way by which we can compete with other states and +countries. It is the natural and inevitable way for Vermonters to +travel. + + + +CONQUEST OF PEACE. + +Before the war Vermont and the nation were approaching a serious +economic crises. The war has accentuated the gravity of the +situation, but has also demonstrated certain human characteristics +that can be enlisted to correct our course. We found during the +war that we were ready to take heroic action whenever an occasion +demanded it--that there was a solidarity of purpose of our people. +This characteristic must now be invoked. We must meet the +conditions that confront us by unity of public opinion and team +work. + +The conditions that confront us do not involve the possibility of +immediate invasion of our country by a hostile nation, but they +carry a burdensome penalty if we fail to take the right action. +Happily we are not required to risk our lives or even work harder, +but we must recognize the plain facts that we are not sharing in +the general economic progress of our neighboring states. + +In war the nation that wins the victory imposes a burden of tax on +the conquered nation. In the conquest of peace the victorious +nations also impose a burden on the losers. This burden is just as +real as the burden imposed by war, for in both cases the losers +are paying tribute to the winners. This applies to states, to +communities, to families and to men. The situation calls for +prompt attention and concerted action by the people of our state +and country. + +In the conquest of peace success comes to those people who produce +the greatest value with a given expenditure of energy, or, in +other words, to the people who at the end of a day's, a year's or +a life's work can measure their return in the largest value. +Dollars constitute our measures of value for they are our medium +of exchange of our products of labor. If, to accomplish the same +result, the man with inferior implements must work harder than the +man with the best implements, it is very easy to see who has to +pay tribute to the other in the market where values are compared +and payment made for values. + +Owing to the advance that has been made both in invention of +implements and methods and in the organization of workers, there +is now a marked difference in the value of the product of a day's +work. A study of this situation shows the supreme need of action +that will direct our energies as individuals and as a state in a +way that will bring the largest value for a day's work. + +We must choose with care our work, our equipment and our methods +of combining our efforts. There must be team work within each +industrial plant and each plant must be in tune with the whole +competing world. + +As a people we have not lagged behind, in fact we have been +leaders in many important branches, but our enterprise has known +no state boundaries, and many of our men and women have gone to +other states. Hence, while as a people we have been leaders, as a +state we have been lagging behind the more active industrial +states. + +Vermont is very close to the most highly developed industrial +center on the face of this globe. These centers, through +coordination, invention and choice of work, have been able to +produce greater values per man per day. Men with the spirit of +industry and a practical knowledge gained by experience in these +highly developed centers go out from such centers and build up +other industrial centers wherever the best opportunity appears. +The nearest places to these centers are the most natural fields in +which to start new organizations. But when no cooperating spirit +is found near at hand, these carriers of industry go till they +find better places. Many have traveled past Vermont because we +were busy in other lines and our money was being sent to other +states for investment. Many of our own men left the town of +Windsor during the last sixty years, and from this one town there +has been built a number of important industries in other states +notably in Massachusetts and Connecticut. + +It is not necessary to assume that the industrial spirit has +spread under the guidance of man or just by chance as these men of +practical knowledge and enterprise have drifted. It may be that +the successful new centers were merely a few of thousands of +attempts in other places. Our problem is to study the conditions +under which these industries thrive and then see how we can +establish these conditions. + +In this way we will be acting in harmony with the natural drift or +natural law, if you prefer, and this is one of the purposes of +this book. + + + +VERMONT FAVORABLY LOCATED. + +Our nearness to these industrial states give us an advantage over +more remote states, but it is not sufficient in itself to bring +our share of industrial expansion. Nevertheless it is one of the +greatest advantages and constitutes one of the strong points on +which we base our faith in our plan for greater industrial +development. + +The next element to nearness to existing plants is the spirit and +understanding of the people. Vermont has the best spirit of +industry but has not the fullest conception of industrial life and +opportunity. It is this purpose of setting forth the principles of +desirable industrial life that constitutes the next step. + +When these principles are understood, we will improve the chances +for the acquisition of local industries through the coming of +others from nearby states or by the establishment of new plants by +some of our own people who are already well qualified to carry +forward such enterprise. But whether it is brought about by these +or any other means, the basic principle on which successful +industries are built must be known and must constitute the policy +of organization and management. + +The principles set forth are basic. They constitute the necessary +addition of the practical knowledge of invention, management and +general business knowledge gained in existing plants. + +Industrial life calls for the best that is found in brain, +enterprise and ability and should have every possible aid and +cooperation. Furthermore it should be protected from impractical +promoters, impractical managers and obstructive theorists. + +It is actual work and accomplishment that counts. The workers and +those who lead and cooperate with them should not have their +combined efforts handicapped by those who have never done actual +work or who have never been performing an essential service. + +Indifference and misdirection are our greatest enemies in times of +peace. These hinder our growth and if allowed to exist, will +ultimately lead to our becoming a subservient people. + +We are all ready to accept these facts but may differ as to the +best ways to use our energies. + +We are already making good progress in various branches of +agriculture, granite and marble work, and in various branches of +manufacturing of wood, textiles and metal, but a direct comparison +with our manufacturing states shows that we do not bring into the +state an adequate return for our labor. + +Many of our young people migrate to more remunerative kinds of +work in other states, and as already stated some of these +Vermonters have led in the creation and upbuilding of great +industrial establishments. + +There are now many good chances to create new and energize our +existing industries. + +Some may ask why should we consider other industries when we can +find many good opportunities in our present enterprises. The +answer is that our people drift away to other states to get into +these industries for there they have discovered that the best +chance to produce a large value for a day's work is where best +implements are used and where there is the best organization of +workers. + +They have found that in some respects we are lagging behind in the +use of best methods and best implements. + + + +OUR PROBLEM. + +Without going further into the analysis of the conditions that +confront us, it is obvious that an increase in the size and number +of desirable industries is an object worthy of our attention and +efforts. + +We have clearly in mind that more money flowing into the state +will improve our entire economic situation. Taxes, markets, +population, schools, opportunities for Vermonters and general +improvement in all values and interests. + +The next thing to do is to get an industrial policy that will +guide us in our course as individuals, managers, engineers, +manufacturers, investors, progressive workers and as citizens. The +idea must precede action and the action must precede results. The +true idea will bring results of like character, hence the need of +the fullest knowledge on which to form the idea. + +A simple outline of a desirable industry may be drawn through the +following points: + +First: An ideal industry is an organization in which the energies +of mind and body are most effectively employed. + +Second: Since man is something more than a physical body, his work +must be one in which he feels an interest and satisfaction. + +Third: Since there are various kinds of implements to aid man in +his work, a successful organization should use the most effective +type. + +Fourth: Since man is a creature of habit and functions most +effectively when he has acquired skill through experience, each +one in the workshop and office should be experienced in his +particular branch of the work. + +Fifth: Since the high skill of men is attained through repetition +of operations, the management must subdivide the work into classes +in which each man can become highly proficient. + +Sixth: Just as there is an individual skill and ability acquired +by the individual, so there must be a group skill built up. The +group skill is acquired by the coordination of the energies of all +the workers so that the work flows naturally and evenly from +worker to worker with the minimum hindrance. This coordination +takes place naturally through experience. It only needs common +sense supervision and a protection of the workers from the +impractical interference of faddists. + + + +HAVE FAITH IN VERMONT. + +Travelers through the west, particularly on the coast states +bring back the story of optimism that seems to be characteristic +of the enterprising people who migrated west in the early days. +This spirit of optimism is not found in all parts of our country, +and yet it is of high value. In New England for instance, in each +state there is a state pride, but perhaps not to the extent that +we find in the larger cities and in the west. Here we are more +interested in the success of our various branches of activities. + +Vermonters have been notably free to go beyond state boundaries in +the acquisition of trade or profession and in practice, but +optimism, which is the parent of enterprise, has an excellent +chance for existing in our state. + +The early history of industrial development shows it followed +along the avenues of transportation--seaports and lakeports and +railways. With the railways the industries spread to other states, +notably Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Now there is setting +in a readjustment and the time is ripe for Vermonters to use some +of their spirit of enterprise within the boundaries of the old +state. Goods may be shipped to the best market from the top of our +highest mountain at lower cost than it could be shipped from some +remote competitors. There is every angle favorable except the full +knowledge of the situation and the elements on which industrial +success can now be achieved. + +The coming and use of machinery has been a most potent force in +determining the economic rating of city and state, and it is in +this respect that Vermont has now its great opportunity, and it is +in the field in which invention, the use of machinery, the right +methods of building up an effective group of workers that there is +the surest reward for the energy put forth by investors, +organizers and workers. + +If you have grasped these facts; continue to study the elements of +the plan; fit yourself as an experienced worker or executive in +some branch of the work; see that the scheme of work is one that +can successfully compete with other producers; then put your whole +self into the work. + +If you wish to get the plan into your own consciousness and +action, tell it to others. + +Become a practical booster of the plan. + +It fits the future. + +It fits today. + +Be a Booster. + +It is right. + +It pays. + + + +OUR INDUSTRIAL POLICY. + +We must endeavor to establish desirable industries. The most +desirable industries are those in which there is an opportunity +for development of all the workers and a chance for the greatest +number to find the best opportunity to acquire special skill and +special ability. In such industries there should be the open door +of progress so that those who are qualified for advancement can go +forward from position to position with no barrier other than their +own mental or physical limitations. + +Special ability, skill and team work are only acquired by long +specialized practice. These qualities constitute the most valuable +assets on which to create a new concern. + +Very elaborate systems have been designed for controlling the flow +of the work through the plant and the division of the various +activities between men and departments, but the real effective +coordination must grow out of the actual working conditions of the +workers. This natural evolution of the group's effectiveness as a +single organization is one of greatest importance. The impractical +theorist coming into an old plant will start in at once to +rearrange the order of things irrespective of both the group +habit-action and the habit-action of each man. + +Changes must be most sparingly made, with the full knowledge that +anything that interferes with the habit-action of the workers is a +serious hindrance. All people concerned, whether as executives in +the industry, or as investors, must remember that in a growing +industry, individual skill as well as group skill of the whole +organization greatly improves with continued action. Under the +process of continued action the average man can make a fair +showing and with a reasonable degree of moral support will make +good, while without it the ablest man will have a hard time and +even fail if he is forced to accept changes that disturb +continuity of action. + +The management must conform to the best world practice in +engineering, industrial life, individual welfare and economics. It +must have every element of organization kept in best condition. +The spirit of the group is of great importance, for the +organization goes forward on the congenial nature of each man's +profession or work. Each man's energies, both mental and physical, +must be employed constructively with the minimum disturbance. His +energies must be concentrated on his own particular work. This +concentration applies to all workers and executives. This plan is +based on the fact that, through continuity of attention and +application to a given work, man acquires a special aptitude. It +also recognizes that each man on the face of the earth, from the +tramp along the railroad to the most highly developed scientist +and executive, has a special knowledge and special ability that he +has acquired by experience. + +It is needless to say that in competition with the whole world +there must be alertness every day in the guidance of details of +mechanism and business, and that it is not by the gathering +together of a group of men at the end of the year or even once a +month or once a week that business can be effectively managed; it +is a continued application to the work every day and every hour +that counts. + +There should be no absentee management. The men who manage must be +in close touch with the work and the workers--not merely through +written or oral reports, but by actual observation. + +Travel, study and observation of other connections and work are +necessary, but the home must be with the industrial plant and that +must be the prime interest. + + + +LIMITATIONS OF MAN'S PROGRESS. + +It is not contemplated that all men will become managers or +office men. Such positions are not of a kind that is satisfactory +to many of our ablest men. Some are happiest in work in which they +acquire great skill. They are disturbed and made uncomfortable +when required to solve mental problems. Some of the greatest +achievements have been wrought by such men, who have been highly +honored in the past and such men will have more recognition as +time goes on, for we are coming to understand the fact that we +must depend on such men for special ability in the form of skill, +whether it is in the surgery, mechanics, art or any other branch +or division of work or the professions. Such men are not talkers +and do not force themselves into spectacular positions. To say +that there is no progress for the surgeon if he cannot become +manager of the hospital, nor for the skilled worker if he cannot +become manager of the industrial plant, would not be in keeping +with facts for we know that such men have made the greatest +contribution to the world's welfare. + +This plan of individual progress should not be disturbing to the +worker who has come to a standstill. It is the ideal toward which +we must work. It can never be wholly attained, but such a policy +will make a vast difference with the prospects of all workers and +in the success of industrial organizations. + + + +PROTECT THE INDUSTRIAL SPIRIT. + +Industries and the workers should be protected from incompetent +managers, investigators and impractical theorists. + +Industries and the workers go forward by actual work, not on +manipulation of stocks, bonds, laws and schemes to wreck or boost +for temporary gain of some one interest. + +In general it is safe to have faith in the honesty of the workers +and those who cooperate with them--at least we can start with the +assumption that honesty and square dealing are not monopolized by +other professions. + +If we will remember that an industry has a vitality the same as a +man, that its life can be destroyed by an ignorant investigator +with a probe poking into every nerve and muscle, we will make +Vermont a more natural place for industrial development and +progress. + +The attitude of the workers and the general public should be +cordial instead of antagonistic for every desirable industry is an +asset of great value. + +In theory and law an industry belongs to the stockholders, at +least it is for the stockholders to elect the board of directors +who through practical officers manage the business; but, as a +matter of actual fact, to the man who has the best job in the +world for himself right in that organization, the life of the +organization is of greater importance than it is to any one of the +stockholders. In the same sense the existence of the industry is +of greater value to many others in the organization and in the +community than it is to the stockholders. + +Hence, anything that interferes with the success of the +organization injures many people. + + + +WHAT IS NOT AN INDUSTRY. + +Perhaps it will be well to state first what does not constitute +an industry. Power, transportation facilities, fine buildings, +fine machinery and a group of skilled workmen, a complete office +staff and an elaborate system of fad management do not constitute +an industry. Such an aggregation might be likened to a cargo ship +all ready for service excepting that it lacks a captain and +navigating officer and some one to determine what kind of a cargo +to take, where to go and how to get there. + +The greatest value of an industrial plant that has everything but +a work to do and a leader to determine its major policies, lies in +the skilled workers and able executives in work and office. The +buildings and machinery come next in value, but the whole thing is +worthless without the idea and the vision. + + + +"DEAD" ORGANIZATIONS. + +In all cities we can see "dead" organizations. Many of these +companies that are actually "dead" seem to have life in them +because they continue to move, but in many instances the motion is +only due to the momentum of a push that was given years ago. + +A "dead" organization may show signs of life in its gradual growth +in size, but its real character is to be seen in the extent to +which it is departing from specialization or by the continued use +of antiquated methods and buildings. + +The departure from specialization is generally due to either lack +of courage to discard obsolete designs or to an inclination to +consider the business from the selling end only. + +It takes courage to discard an old model and it also takes courage +to refuse to build some new invention. + +The indifferent management carries the old and takes on the new. +This policy covering many years creates a condition that is far +removed from the specialization plan. + +The management that views everything from the selling side of the +business is also inclined to go on indefinitely increasing the +line of goods manufactured. + +The drift away from specialization may not be disasters today or +tomorrow, especially, if there are no competitors who are +specialists, but the inevitable result will be the burial of the +"dead" organization when a real competitor comes into the field. + +The calamity of the existence of "dead" industrial organizations +is something more than the ultimate loss to the stockholders, it +is the deplorable stagnation in which the workers find themselves +with their progress blocked by lifeless management. + + + +SOME INDUSTRIAL HOWS, WHYS AND WHATS. + +How groups of men achieve the highest results in expenditure of +given energy. + +What is necessary to establish such conditions. + +What are the most desirable opportunities. + +What are desirable industries. + +Why the need of building up habit-action. + +How a group of men, through team work, acquires a group habit- action by +which their product greatly exceeds the product of the same number of +men working without cooperation. + +How the individual ability and skill, as well as the group ability +and skill is only to be acquired by repetition that establishes +habit-action. + +Why repetition of operation is essential to acquisition of skill +and special ability. + +What are the boundaries that divide the Jack of all Trades, the +specialist and the victim of an overdose of repetition work. + +Why industrial managers should know the cardinal principles of +invention, of industrial engineering, industrial management, +industrial relations and the human factor in engineering and in +the industries. + +Why a plant may be growing in size and paying dividends and may +still be dead so far as the spirit of enterprise is concerned. + +Why some men try to manage industrial plants regardless of the +cardinal principles of progress of workers and the state. + +Why the ideal conditions for the workers and executives can only +be found in an industrial establishment that can successfully +compete with others. + +These "whys", "whos" and "whats" are of importance to all and +suggest a line of thought and interest in this industrial +discussion. + + + +NEW INDUSTRIES. + +The first men to function in the creation of new industries are +those who are already well grounded by long experience in some +special form of industry. The new organizations must have men well +qualified to direct each of its branches. + +In general it may be stated that a new organization must start +with a superior article to manufacture and the elements of a +superior organization. Sometimes it is possible by invention alone +to win without the aid of the modern plan of specialized +organization. On the other hand, the success may be attained by +superior organization without a superior article to manufacture, +but in general it is better to combine all of the possible +beneficial factors in a new organization. + +Organizers should know the market possibilities. If possible, the +product should be sold directly to the user. The contact with the +ultimate user is of supreme importance in the development of the +invention and the organization. In dealing through a selling +agency the manufacturer is not in control of the whole business. +The selling agent dictates the policy of the whole business. He +dictates the policy of the manufacturing plant from the selling +agent's needs and that seldom fits the manufacturing conditions. +The selling department generally demands many changes in product +and wide range of articles of manufacture, while the manufacturing +conditions require that special skill and ability that can only be +developed by continuity of action of a given kind, and this +restricts the range of produce. + +If the head or one of the heads of a proposed organization knows +the market condition and knows what can be done in the sale of a +new article, then the question of invention and manufacture can be +safely left to those who have been well grounded in such +principles. That leaves only the question of the financial +arrangements. + +The method of forming a stock company under the laws of Vermont is +very simple and people are generally well disposed to invest in +the stock of the new company providing the men at the head are +known to be competent--the inventor as an inventor, the business +man as a business man and so on all the way through. The standards +of measure of each one of the men and the standards of measure of +conducting the business are set forth in other chapters. At this +time it is sufficient to say that getting the capital is the +easiest part of the job. The real work is the preliminary work of +acquiring experience and devising plans. + +A plan to create a new industry does not call for disloyalty to +the employer, for as a rule it is very foolish to attempt to +compete with an established organization excepting on some +business that gives the new organization an advantage by one or +more of the following points: invention, simpler product, simpler +methods, a higher degree of specialization, a more effective and +direct scheme of sales or a better spirit of personnel. + +One of the essential things for the business man--if the business +man is not the inventor--is to grasp the fact that his success is +tied up to the inventor. The inventor is needed in the development +all the way through, not only in guiding the form of the +manufactured article, but in a large degree by dictating the +process by which the article is to be manufactured. The inventor +usually needs curbing to keep him from disturbing his own market +by the creation of newer forms, but these matters are treated +under the chapter of invention. + +The principle element to set forth now is that it is a waste of +time and money for a few business men to buy a patent or an +invention and then dispense with the service of the inventor. They +are merely going to sea without a navigator. On the other hand it +is equally true that the inventor must consider the business side +of the problem and do all in his power to devise effective means +to facilitate the process of manufacturing. + +The point to be made here is that there is no chance to win in +this game by sharp practice. It is only through work and the +combined work and energy of all the men in the organization that +anyone can win. + + + +INVENTOR'S PROPORTION. + +In the machine tool industries, one-third of the interest in the +plant is given to the inventor. This, to the average investor +appears to be an unfair proportion, but it is one of those cases +in which the broadest vision is necessary, and a glance at the +earning power of such organizations as well as the prestige of the +inventions, will bear out the wisdom of the general plan in +similar industries. + +The plan, however, should not be considered as something that +boosts only one man or one group of men. If there is any attempt +to exploit labor, the plan is wrong. The scheme must be +fundamentally right so that each man coming into the workshop or +the office of business finds there his best opportunity to develop +and receive his best return for the use of his energies. + +It is hoped that succeeding chapters will build up confidence in +the scheme that will make it possible for men to see the way to +progress in this line, to have faith in each other and to know +that their ultimate success will come through a spirit of +cooperation, concentration of attention and energies of each man +to his own special work so as to attain highest ability and last +but not least, the complete coordination of all in one safe, sane +industrious organization. + + + +MANUFACTURERS AND NEW INDUSTRIES. + +One of the forces that operates against increase in the number of +industrial establishments is the fact that we do not realize the +need of human progress in our plants. Men should progress from job +to job until they reach their best achievement. Some gain their +greatest success in some manual work in which they acquire great +skill and others go on to executive positions and even graduate to +join other organizations or to start new industries. + +We fail to see this fundamental law regarding the growth of the +manufacturing organization, and seldom realize the prime necessity +of the fundamental law relating to specialization. We overlook the +fact that stagnation in place of progress of the men in the plant +is deadly to the organization, and feel that if we get an +extra-efficient man in a certain position that he must be kept there +regardless of his own opportunity for advancement. We fail to realize +that progress all the way through the organization, should be +encouraged--that while man is distinctly a creature of habit, his mind +as well as his body must be considered, and that only by changes of a +progressive nature does he develop most favorably. + +Too often a manufacturer is opposed to the creation of other +organizations by men from his own organization, when, as a matter +of fact, it would be a great deal better for his own institution +if he would encourage the growth of other plants that can be +created by his own men. + + + +HABIT ACTION, BASIS OF SKILL AND PROFICIENCY. + +We have many text books on the subject of industrial finance, of +engineering, of invention, of industrial management, and all these +books are written on the assumption that the human being knows his +own kind. A study of our failures seems to reveal, however, that +we have misunderstood the human being. + +For instance, while we know that skill and experience is +invaluable, we make our mistake by underrating its value, or too +often we limit its application to the hand worker. We say that +skill of the pianist, the surgeon, the workman must be acquired by +practice. We know that in many trades a workman must spend three, +four or more years as an apprentice, and at least the same number +of years is necessary of actual specialized practice in almost any +department of work, but we overlook the fact that that special +skill or that special ability on which modern success is based +must be acquired under certain conditions. + +The oriole builds a nest unlike the robin's nest. Each is +qualified in its own work. We know that these birds would be +sorely handicapped, and would probably be downright failures in +providing nests in season for eggs, if each were required to work +to plans and specifications of the other bird's nest. + +Our fundamental error in understanding our own kind seems to lie +in the fact that we fail to recognize that man is a creature of +habit to an extent not quite equal to that of the lower animals, +but nevertheless to a degree that positively stands in the way of +any man who tries to create or manage an industry without giving +due value to this one element. + +Another way to say all this is that we must recognize experience +is necessary--experience not only for the worker but for each one +in the organization. + +The effect of this characteristic of habit action is so profound +that any disturbance in a plant due to changing the position of +benches or machinery or changing the character of the work +sorely interferes with man's efficiency. On account of this +characteristic the degree to which man's energies are most +effectively employed goes in direct proportion to the degree in +which there is a minimum of changes in the character of the work. +The importance of this will be realized when we consider the +question of competition, for that, in the last analysis, +constitutes the measure of success. + +Now, if we extend the plan of acquisition of special ability to +embrace men in office as well as in the workshop we have covered +the whole subject and have said nothing more than that it is +necessary for all men in the office as well as in the workshop to +have a special ability that has been acquired by experience. + +If it is as simple as this, why the need of saying it? The need is +brought about by the painful fact that one of the characteristics +of habit action is to continue on without change even after the +mind has apparently recognized that a change should be made. +Success comes not from the mere _word_ knowledge of these +things, but through action. + + + +SPECIALIZATION. + +Of the many elements on which industrial development depends, the +question of specialization looms large. + +Under the general term "specialization" we include all plans and +methods of work by which the scope of activity of man is +concentrated. + +The highest degree of skill of artist or worker is attained by +concentration of energies to a restricted range of work. It is +through practice that the skill is acquired. The highest skill and +highest ability is attained by the degree of interested attention +and number of repetitions of a given kind of work. + +Other things being equal, the practice, combined with keenness of +interest, makes the most successful man in a given profession or +work. + +Repetition of operation becomes an automatic (habit) action in +which man accomplishes the most work for a given expenditure of +energy. + +These two results--proficiency and easy performance--are of +greatest value, but repetition of action, like nearly all good +things, is not without its drawbacks. An overdose of one kind of +work with a limited range of action frequently leads to dulling +the senses. This stultifying effect produces a most undesirable +result. The harm begins when there is a loss of interest in the +work, for it is through the interest that the progress is made. +The dividing line between the good and bad results varies with +different types of men. + +The simplest tasks may become of intense interest to the scientist +and he may achieve great success in a work that to others seems +monotonous drudgery. But with all its drawbacks it still is the +best way for man to work and while we must labor to eliminate the +condition of drudgery, we must face the plain fact that +competition between men, industries, states and nations makes it +absolutely necessary to specialize. + +Specialization by the men and groups of men will determine the +question of superiority of advance in science, industry, commerce, +general wealth and welfare, as well as military strength in the +time of war. + +While we have clearly before us the degrading effects of +repetition of distasteful tasks; we must not ignore the other +extreme. + +The opposite condition is the employment of energies of mind and +body in ways that cannot produce high degree of ability. With such +desultory use of energies, a day's work is of relatively small +value, and there is no progress. + +Of the two extremes we find the most prevalent to be the +scatter-brain and scatter ability type. + +The industries of the higher type lead in providing the best +implements and in organization of best team work by which each +worker produces the greatest value for a given expenditure of +energy. + +The essential bearing Of these facts is that the worker as well as +the business man should compare his work with the work of others +with whom he is in competition. + +In these days of long distance transportation our competitors in +the market may be a long distance away. + +If it is in agriculture, the question of climate, soil and degree +to which highly efficient implements can be used, are important +factors. + +If it is in the professions we must see how we can acquire the +greatest proficiency and opportunity. This again involves the +question of the extent to which we must specialize. + +The measure then of success is the value of our services as +compared with the services of others. + +One of the important problems in industrial management is the +extent to which specialization should be practiced. + +On one hand we see the ill effects of a routine repetition where +there has been an overdose of repetition--one that has gone beyond +the beneficial point--and on the other hand, we find that the +greatest achievements in the sciences and professions have been +wrought by those who have concentrated in a way that has given +them a higher development. Unfortunately in many of the +industries, the development of machinery has gone forward with the +sole end in view of dollars and cents, disregarding the effect on +the worker. + +This is to be found in some of the industries in which originally +there was an opportunity for the worker to have a keen interest in +his work. Mention is made of this situation as it comes about with +certain stages of development of the manufacturing processes. It +is unfortunate and something that the engineers and managers +should endeavor to eliminate. + +We have very few of such industries in Vermont; they can broadly +be classed as undesirable industries. The fact that there are such +industries should not in itself drive us from the scheme of +working by which men specialize. We should, however, see to it +that the degree of repetition of operation goes only to the +beneficial extent. Our greatest trouble in Vermont has been the +wasteful scattering of each man's energies over a variety of +tasks. + +Competition with the outer world makes it absolutely necessary +that we use our energies in the most effective manner; that most +effective manner is the one by which through repetition and +experience we acquire skill and ability. The important matter to +decide is the degree to which we can specialize. This degree +varies with the work and the individual. To an alert and active +mentality routine work becomes drudgery, while to the opposite +type, mental work is annoying. In an industry, men gradually fit +in with the most suitable work. Each man's job should be one that +is best for him. + +Nothing has been said thus far regarding the invention of new +forms of articles to manufacture, or of new methods of machinery +for manufacturing articles. These elements and many others are +necessary in order to complete a successful plant, but the +fundamentals embraced in a statement regarding the habit-action of +man represented by special ability and skill acquired by +experience, and the habit-action of the group acquired in the same +way, constitutes a measure in determining the way at ninety per +cent of the cross roads in industrial progress. Anyone undertaking +the creation of a new organization or the management of a going +concern must grasp these facts. + +The value of experience, if acquired in an industry where such +fundamental principles have been recognized, should be given the +highest rating. Experience, however, in an industry where the +energies of men were not most effectively employed and where there +was not a recognition that the effective employment of man's +energies require a general development of mind and body up to the +man's capacity, cannot be counted as wholly good unless, through +force of purpose, there is the strength to adopt a new path. + + + +[Footnote]INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT. + +[Footnote text: A revision of material originally under title of +Human Factor in Works Management by James Hartness, published by +McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., New York.] + +The navigator in preparing for a voyage carefully examines each of +his instruments. He must know the present error of his chronometer +and its rate of change, and its general reliability as indicated +by its past record. He must also know errors in his compasses for +each point, and he should have the fullest information regarding +the degree of reliability of every other means on which his +success depends; and, last but not least, he must accurately +determine his starting-point or point of departure. + +In taking up the subject before us we will do well to follow his +example. + +In doing so, our task will be to examine two principal elements: +one, the means on which we depend for interpreting the information +that is available; and the other, the source and character of the +information. + +The means may be considered analogous to the navigator's +instruments, and is no less a thing than the brain or mental +machinery; and the information is simply the world about us as +seen in the existing things, such as machinery, methods, popular +notions, textbooks, etc., all of which may be classed as +environments, and may be considered as analogous to the charts and +other publications of our worthy example. + +Like the mariner, we must determine the degree of reliability of +all these sources of information and our means for interpreting +observed facts. + +When we have ascertained this we will know what allowance to make +from the "observed" to get the actual facts. With this knowledge +we will be able to accurately determine both our starting-point +and best course. + +The importance of considering our own minds will be seen when we +realize that every new fact taken in must in a measure conform to +the previous ideas. If some of these old ideas are erroneous, the +mind must be more or less ready to discard them. It is very +difficult to dislodge deep-seated convictions. Contradictory ideas +are not assimilated. Only one of them is actually accepted. Even +when to the objective reasoning they seem false, they frequently +continue to control our actions. + +Since we are loaded with the popular ideas which we have absorbed +from our environment, it will be well for us to begin by +critically examining our environment and the process by which +ideas have been taken in. This may enable us to put out some of +the erroneous views, and perhaps more firmly fix the true ideas; +thereby preparing the mind for a more ready acceptance of what +otherwise would be barred out as contradictory. + +We shall not go deeply into the psychology of the subject, as it +will not be necessary to go contrary to or beyond the well-known +facts. + +We shall not try to locate the man or refer to him as the ego or +inner man. We shall simply say that we know that we can use our +brains to think on any subject, and we can use our senses to +collect information regarding any chosen subject. + +Our senses and mental faculties can be directed to consider one +element in a business, and for the moment be unmindful of the many +other elements. In other words, we can to a certain extent manage +our mental processes. Just as a horse can be managed, so may we +manage our brains. A driver may carefully control the expenditure +of energy and the course traveled, or he may throw the reins over +the dash and allow the horse to go his own gait and route. In the +same way we may manage or mismanage our brains. + + + +Good Results with Moderate Effort. + +A faster pace will not be advocated, for the present gait is +overstrenuous. We hope, however, to point out a way by which good +results may be obtained with, moderate effort. + +If, in the past, the brain has been found wanting, we should not +lose confidence in its reliability until we have seen how it has +been managed. + +Under some conditions its interpretations are absolutely correct; +in fact, under all conditions that would be called fair in testing +other kinds of mechanism. + +Unfortunately, these conditions have not always existed. Opinions +regarding important matters have been formed when accurate +mentation has been impossible. + + + +Physical Condition of Worker. + +If the use of the machine induces either an adverse mental +attitude or physical condition of the worker, it will sooner or +later be adverse to the economic success of the machine. + +We have indicated some of the problems and have suggested the +well-known method of mental control for this purpose. A keen +observer of men and machinery may not require as much of the +so-called practical experience; another may need many years of +actual work. + +The practical experience in the various departments of machine +construction, its sale and its use, is undoubtedly almost +absolutely necessary for the average man in this work. + +Its value is primarily to give an opportunity to see things in +actual operation. The shop affords an opportunity to see how a +machine stands up to its work, where it is weak, and a thousand +and one points that can best be seen in actual operation. But +there is still another phase that is comprehended more readily by +the practical experience, and this applies to the various +departments of business as well as to the works. It is the +knowledge of the men and their mental make-up and attitude. + +A keen observer soon realizes that successful life in the +machinery world will not come easily to any one who lacks a good +understanding of others in the field. + + + +Capacity for New Ideas. + +The assimilating capacity of the industrial world is the real +gauge of the progress which should be indulged in. This capacity +to take in new ideas and to work by new methods is not the same in +all beings, and it is not the same in all organizations. There are +ways by which it may be measurably increased. New views are more +readily digestible if presented by enthusiastic advocates, as this +stimulates an interest. Any attempt to forcibly inject new ideas +only results in indigestion. + +The assimilating capacity of an industrial organization can be +greatly increased by any scheme that awakens an interest. The +controlling policies should include advance in efficiency and +generally in the quality of work turned out, but this advance +should not involve a break in the output. It mould be based on a +knowledge of the whole business. In other words, it should not +only pay in the long run, but if possible it should pay from the +moment it goes into effect. + +We have said that all changes should be of the digestible kind, +and the feeding process should not be a stuffing process; that the +ingestion should not exceed the digestion. We have also briefly +mentioned the importance of keeping the digestion tuned up to the +best speed by having the organization in a condition to most +readily take in changes. + +That we must make some allowance for inertia of thought and habit +in all mortals goes without saying, but the exact amount to be +allowed is very difficult to estimate. + +Successful management depends on the degree with which a man can +estimate the receptivity of other beings with whom he deals. This +knowledge of receptivity should include the thought and action of +men all the way from the unskilled worker to the directors, and +also that of all men in other organizations in any way affected by +his organization. + +Just as food is more digestible if agreeable to the palate, so +this receptivity or assimilating power may be increased by +presenting new ideas and methods in agreeable form. A full +realization of the effect of this inertia of thought and habit +makes the great efficiency of specialization more comprehensible. + +It is this human side that is the key, and if we do not act in +full accord with it we will probably be working against a great +handicap. + +The inertia works two ways. It hurts a progressive man just as +much to be tied to a work that requires no brainwork as it hurts a +sleepy member to be disturbed by progressive talk. + + + +Money not the Only Dividend. + +The major policies of management that should be known to the +inventor are those which have been adopted to make the business +pay. Not necessarily to pay in dollars and cents today, but to pay +in every sense, and in the long run, in dollars and in other +things. + +It cannot pay in dollars if the other things are missing. By other +things are meant good organization built on best conditions of +mind and body for each of the beings included in the organization. +On such things the stability of the organization depends. + +No matter how much the manager of a business may wish to run it +for other things exclusively, or for dollars exclusively, he will +find that one is not attained without the other. He is forced to +run a business for the dollar if he wishes to make an ideal +organization for each member of the human family included in it. +And vice versa, he must work toward best conditions for all the +workers if he wishes to protect the capital invested by making a +stable and fairly long-lived organization. + +This statement is inserted here to clear away doubts as to the +real value or necessity of "making a business pay," and to make it +clear that no thought is to be tolerated of any scheme of +management adverse to the real interest of the workers. + +The men selected for each of the various positions should be men +who are fitted to fill these very positions. This does not mean +mere physical and mental fitness; it means each position should be +filled by one who wants it, one who knows he is "better off" in it +than in any other place he can find. Dissatisfied men are burdens. +It is better to have each position filled by a man who is barely +competent to fill it than to have it filled by a man who should +have a much better position. + +Of course, this is the ideal, and all moves should be made in this +direction whenever it is possible. As a rule, it is easier to find +men on this basis than to find men who are bigger than the office. +This scheme leads to more promotions in the organization and has a +stimulating effect on all concerned. + + + +Right Placing of Men. + +The management's chief business should be to take man as he is +found on earth and place each one where he will accomplish the +best results for both the organization and himself. + +Barring the disgruntled, the uncongenial and the habitually +inattentive, almost all men may be and should be profitably +employed, the prime requisite being reasonably close attention to +business. The thoughts must not habitually wander away from the +work. + +Intrigue disappears when the management quits looking for it, and +assures everybody, by the general method of conducting the +business, that there will be no chance to oust this or that man. +That each man will be retained in his place if he will but give +reasonable application to the general interest of the organization +and the particular work of his office. + +The management does not "manage" if it perpetually changes its +men. It should bolster up the man who lacks self-confidence; it +should puncture false ambitions, and it should use men as they are +found in the organization. It should not be inclined to "go back +on" a man who has blundered or who has been found lacking in +understanding. + +It should not be over-ready to embrace a stranger just because his +faults are not known. + +The financial hazard of a business enterprise is greatly minimized +by using men as they are found, and properly placing them at work +or in offices for which they are qualified. + + + +Unimportant Details. + +We can neither regulate the complexity of our environment nor the +number of problems which we must settle within a given time. +But we can improve the conditions very much by avoiding +overconcentration on unimportant details. The brain's best time +and energy should be reserved for our own immediate problems; it +should not be hampered by details of others. + +The various officers of an industrial organization should know the +ins and outs of the thinking machine on which they depend for +guidance. With such knowledge each brain will give the greatest +results, and without such knowledge the best brain may be +untrustworthy. + +One of the important characteristics of the mind is its tendency +to lose sight of everything except the subject in mind. One danger +is dodged by jumping into another which we have not seen. Both +dangers were plainly in sight to any one who had not concentrated +on one of them. + +In the regular every-day business life, we seem to have ample time +to consider each problem. But in reality our great length of time +is offset by a great number of elements to consider, and a more +profound effect of long continued teaching or molding of our +environment. + +For years engineers have concentrated energies on the steam-engine +of the reciprocating type. The master-minds have made important +improvements in the design, and many have given up their entire +existence to the science of analyzing the effects of each +variation in conditions of working the steam. + +Our textbooks, our teaching, our observation all concentrated our +attention on this type. + +For some reason Gustav deLaval, followed by C.A. Parsons and +Nikola Tesla, broke away from this spell, and we have the steam +turbine engine. These individuals are endowed with master-minds, +but the task of producing the turbines was probably no greater +than the task of others in improving the reciprocating type. + +In one case a great step has been taken. In the other, we have an +example of men of undoubted ability laboring hard for entire +lifetimes with relatively small gain. + +This example applies to more than the inventors' world. It has +many parallels in the cold business management of a manufactory +and in any one of its departments. Business management requires +the same kind of reasoning and getting away from the spell of +environment. But this phase we shall consider later under another +head. + +The point to be brought out here is the effect of the spell of +environment in magnifying the importance of existing views and +methods, and the deceptive part this trusty brain plays in binding +us to unnecessarily hard work. + + + +Cure for Mind Wandering. + +The mind should not be allowed to wander, for wander it will if it +is not rationally directed. It should be furnished with some +interest, either in the form of study that is taken up out of +working hours, and which can be permitted to occupy the mind while +work of the habit kind is being done, or, if it is not a study, +there should be some wholesome interest or pleasure. + +Music to some furnishes this need. Music heard in the home or +elsewhere will sometimes occupy the mind during working hours when +the work is of a monotonous character. In some instances music has +been provided during a certain part of the day, just for this need +of workers who are employed in an occupation that in itself +furnishes no mental nourishment. + +But these extreme cases do not represent the vast majority. They +apply only to the needs of the mind of those engaged in a work in +which they can awaken no interest. Nearly all kinds of work offer +a chance for the average man to get interested directly in the +work itself. Such an interest soon bears fruit in the results as +well as in the comfort of the worker, and it is this phase on +which we must depend for making specialization comfortable and +profitable to the worker. It is this phase that is wholly +overlooked by those mentioned above who have seen or felt the joy +of work that comes to one who rambles into a new field. We fail to +see that the same kind of mental pleasure may be obtained while +working along the natural and efficient lines of habit, and that +in one case we have had pleasure at great expense of wasted +energy, and in the other case we may have made a true progress for +ourselves and others by moving along the rational way. + + + +The Manager's View. + +The important duty of weighing up these various views devolves on +the management, and its action should be in accordance with the +complete and corrected view. It must consider the subject from a +top viewpoint, and must then act. + +The manager keeps in mind that the machines must be built, +purchased, and used by human beings, so he carefully studies their +peculiarities. He knows that change of thought or habit requires +time. + +In looking over the history of one of the companies engaged in +machine building, we find that the cost of the labor has been +lowered to about one-fifth of the original. In view of this and +the fact that a very slight change in model sometimes involves a +temporary increase in the cost of labor three-fold or more, we see +good reason for reluctance in making changes, even though we know +that two or three years later the labor cost may drop as low as +that previous to the change in model. + +The inventor, the promoter, the salesman, and the oversanguine +manager do not always foresee such things. + +The manager sees the enthusiasm with which the selling +organization hails the new model. He realizes that they know the +faults of the previous type, and he also knows that no one knows +the faults of the new, but he lets it go. Some enthusiasm must be +had, even if it be dearly purchased. He knows there will be many a +troublesome delay due to the newness, even if the whole scheme +proves very much better than the previous type. + +This manager knows that his business success rests on the facility +with which the machines are satisfactorily built, the readiness of +the buyers, and, last but not least, the facility with which the +product is used. The facility with which the product will be used, +to his mind, is almost beyond overestimation. + + + +Sub-division of Work. + +The division of work into separate operations makes it possible to +divide the subject into relatively small sub-problems. This +division of the subject itself brings it within the capacity of +the lesser brains and makes it very much easier for a brain of +greater power. In other words, the subdivision of work makes +places in which all mental equipments may be used. + +It is of no benefit to any one to keep the problems difficult by +making each man think out a process for accomplishing each one of +a great variety of operations, when the work may be so divided +that it is only necessary for him to think of just one little part +of the whole. And we should not befog the issue by saying that +this is degrading. + +Some of the greatest scientists that the world has known have +concentrated attention to the smallest conceivable part of this +world, pieces so small that the microscope alone revealed them to +the eye. There is a chance for the thinker in most any of these +places that have grown out of this process of finest subdivision +of work. The hardship comes only when the mind cannot get +interested in the work. In many cases this is undoubtedly due to a +misfit, but in most cases it seems to be due to a false notion +that there is nothing there of interest. + +The subdivision of work must go on. If hindered in any one plant, +industry or nation more than in others, the result will be a loss +to that one, and on the other hand, the one that carries it to the +most efficient point will become the most powerful. + +This subdivision develops greatest dexterity and skill, as well as +the keenest comprehension of the ways and means of attaining a +given end. And this dexterity of operation is more easily carried +on than is the fumbling uncertainty of the work of the more +primitive type. + + + +Care in Applying New Theories. + +The manual worker's energies are so absorbed in the physical tasks +that he is annoyed by any suggestion to change his method. If he +were given the position at a desk he would probably be interested +in the progressive schemes for betterment of methods of work or +management of business. + +Bearing this state of affairs in mind, it behooves the progressive +man to approach the problem of applying his theories in a very +careful manner. He must realize that the men in various parts of +the work are under stress of every day's requirements that makes +it very difficult to intelligently take up any new scheme of +procedure. Many an ideal doctrine is a beautiful thing in theory +but of little value if its introduction requires an immense but +unavailable energy to put it into practise. + +He must realize that it is the doing of work that counts and that +the men who are doing things must not be annoyed. All plans for +betterment must conform to the assimilating power of the men and +must not cut off their food in time of change. In other words, the +new plans should be so matched on to the old methods that the +change to the new will not interrupt the production. + +We have seen that the most efficient way to use man's energies is +to allow him to follow habit lines of thought and action, and that +the highest efficiency is reached when these habits are habits of +concentration of attention and are restricted to the smallest +variety of work. + + + +Progressive Energy. + +Progressive energy is so valuable that it needs no praise at this +time. We have had its value stated so often that it is actually +over-rated in the average mind. Not that it has been over-valued, +but that the reiteration has obscured the importance of other +qualities. There should be a greater appreciation of the value of +energies that are wholly employed in accomplishing results by old +means and methods. + +Progressive energy, when it is kept within certain bounds, is a +prime asset of an industrial organization. It is like a wholesome +amount of labor to man; it may be drawn upon without loss, and its +use actually strengthens its source. But when it is not wisely +kept in control it only annoys and interferes with real progress +and real accomplishment of results. + +The only way to get work done is to let the worker move along +habit lines. The only way to progress efficiently is to make the +new ways and means lead off gradually from those in use. + +The progressive man who actually directs work along such lines is +the most valuable to the world. The one who ignores the "moment of +inertia" is a disturber, whether he is a director or a "hewer of +wood and carrier of water". + +The man who is doing the real work in the world is not the +so-called progressive. He is one who points out newer or better +methods which may be easily established by a gradual exchange of +old habits for new ones. + + + +Profit by Experience. + +In considering ways and means for efficient management of +industrial organizations, it is not necessary to commence at the +beginning of each plant. The method of dealing with the problems +of existing plants is also applicable to new organizations, for a +new organization is only new in a limited sense. It uses men of +experience. It uses existing machines and implements. It follows +existing methods of conducting business and in the general +management of its affairs. + +Even the so-called new method which may be the center around which +the so-called new business is built contains very little that is +new. The newest things in the ordinary industrial world contain +many old and well-known elements. The very use of a so-called +new method or machine as a center around which to build an +organization is in itself so old that it is a confirmed habit with +us to be lured on to investing in such things by the statement +that some new process or means is to be employed. + +A really new thing that calls for wholly new ways and new means +for manufacture is almost inconceivable. The nearer we approach to +newness in the industrial world the thinner becomes the ice on +which we are moving. Therefore, let us know that when we advise +following habit lines in all moves in management of an existing +organization we imply that the same course should be taken in +establishing a new company or organization. + +In both cases we should employ existing ways and means, +experienced men and well-tried implements. Both old and new should +be conducted along the usual line in conformity with the state of +the art, the habits of the workers, and other conditions +indigenous to the locality. Any scheme of going contrary to the +existing customs and usage must be entered into with full +knowledge of the great need of patience, force and courage to +offset the barrier of inertia. + + + +Dissipation of Energies. + +This tendency to dissipate energies by wandering into other fields +is not confined to the worker; it is a most common tendency of +business men. A manager of an industrial establishment has to +continually combat his tendency to divert the energies of the +organization along new lines. He knows from past experience how +dearly bought is each new method that is introduced into his +organization. He knows for example that it would make all of his +men tardy at the plant in the morning if at the hour of arising he +has issued a request for each man to dress by carefully thinking +out each move. He knows that the day's work would never be well +done if he asked each one to think before acting. + +Even conversation comes under the law of habit. It must follow the +line that has been carefully thought out. + +We all know that when a man talks on subjects with which he is not +familiar his words carry little weight. + +The so-called spontaneous utterances that seem so full of life and +are apparently the product of flashed thought are either the +welling up of some subconscious ideas quickly reconstructed to fit +the situation or they are a haphazard jumble either meaningless or +conveying an unintended impression. They are generally in the +humorous line and frequently make an impression that was not +anticipated by the utterer. + +The really useful talk and work is the result of wholesome habit +of thought and action. + + + +Tying up Capital in Stock in Process of Construction. + +The amount of capital tied up in raw material supplies, stock in +process and finished product should not be greater than that which +is necessary to get the greatest output per dollar of investment. + +In the machinery-building world there is no such thing as a steady +long-lived demand for any machine. Hence the proposition to build +a locomotive or printing-press by methods employed in watch or +sewing-machine manufacture is entirely ill-timed at least. + +For this reason the stock in process must not necessarily be +considered insufficient if it appears to be on the hand-to-mouth +plan. The dividing line between excessive and insufficient stock +must be drawn in each individual case. + +Raw material should be purchased in reasonable quantities with due +regard to the price which varies with quantities but there should +always be a regard for the amount of capital used for this +purpose. Any excess represents just that much extra capital +unnecessarily risked in the business. + +There should be a constant supply of material throughout the +entire work. The stock in process should flow through the plant in +a rapid but thin stream. The quantity should be no greater than +absolutely necessary to insure a steady supply for all of the +workers, including the assembling and selling workers. + +An excessive stock of this or that piece, or of all pieces, means +that much capital idle, and it also tends to slackness of +management. Frequently it is the outcome of carelessness. + +A slip-shod management that disregards this point will use no care +in purchase of material or in putting in the shop orders. All that +is needed is to just hurry forward the stock that "happens" to be +"out", and at the same time allow the accumulation of the unneeded +stock to go on unchecked. + +Immense storerooms for keeping finished stock are shown with +pride, unmindful of the fact that every dollar's worth of +unnecessary stock on the shelves in the stockroom, every dollar's +worth of unnecessary work in the plant, represents idle money and +faulty management. + +If this money is to be retained in the business, the system should +be changed so that the money will be put where it will bring the +best return. + +The excessive stock in process is sometimes an outcome of blind +progressiveness--the blindness that fails to see that there is as +much money tied up in stock in process and in finished product as +there is in the entire machinery equipment. + +An adaptable equipment facilitates keeping down the amount tied up +in stock in process. The modern plant should take advantage of +these modern methods and machines which tend toward profitable use +of capital. Such machines are highly developed and true to the +controlling ideal of adaptability and largest output per dollar of +investment. + + + +Cost of the Product. + +The practice of disregarding the profit, when considering changes +in machine equipment, is the natural outgrowth of the separation +of the mechanical and the business departments. + +The changes in the equipment are usually determined by the +mechanical department, and this is done with particular regard for +the quality of work and the cost per piece. The relation between +the profit and the net labor cost is not considered. + +The cost of the product of the average machinery-building plant +may be divided into three nearly equal parts: the material, the +labor, and the burden; or, in four equal parts, if a reasonable +interest charge is made for the use of the capital invested. + +The material is the iron, steel and other material that enters +into the construction of the machine, and it is taken in the +condition in which it usually comes to the machine shop. + +The burden includes all expenses and salaries necessary for the +maintenance of the business. + +About one-half the amount paid for labor goes to the men who run +the machine tools, and the other half is paid to workmen who do +the other work, such as handwork, assembling, transporting, etc. +Therefore, the cost of machining is either one-sixth or one-eighth +of the total cost. + +On top of the net cost of the product there should be a profit. If +it is not there, the sooner something happens the better. If it is +there, then it is proportioned to the volume of the output. +Therefore, both the size of the output and the labor cost should +be kept in mind. + +The size of the profit per unit of output is not generally known +to the mechanical departments. But even if it is not known, there +is no reason for their being uninformed as to the importance of +large output for cost of the plant. + + + +Largest Profit Per Dollar Invested. + +One of the most satisfactory policies of management is that which +tends toward getting the best return or profit per dollar of +investment. + +We shall not refer to the quality of the product, the design, or +any other elements which affect the good name and standing of the +business, for it goes without saying that no business can be +maintained where these are disregarded. The point to be brought +out here is that, These thing being equal, the best scheme of +management for profit is one that puts the capital where it will +do the most good. + +The above statement is one with which all will agree, but +strangely enough there has been a tendency to tie up capital in +ways that actually throttle the output of the entire business. + +Furthermore, this is frequently done by increasing the portion of +the investment that is irrevocably tied to the existing product, +thus not only reducing the earning power of each dollar invested, +but also increasing the hazard by tying the capital to the present +product, which soon may be unsuited to the market demand. + +One of the most common errors in this respect is the one that +regards the reduction of the labor cost as the paramount +consideration. + +Reduction in labor cost has been the war-cry. The pay-roll has +been talked about so much that it has seemed to become the whole +thing. A man who declares that the labor cost per piece is not the +most important element is at once branded as an advocate of +old-fashioned methods. + +It is needless to give assurance that there is no intention to +disregard the labor cost. The net cost per piece is a very +important element, but it should neither eclipse the question of +profit per dollar invested, nor the risk of the capital tied up. + +What is the gain if the means for reduction of the net labor cost +reduces the profit more than the saving in labor? If doing so +results in an actual loss of profit, why is it done? + +We can readily see that the overhopeful managers may disregard the +risk of the money invested, but we cannot see why the relative +importance, or rather unimportance, of the labor cost should be so +disregarded. + +The machine tools in a plant usually determine its character. This +character is not one that can be quickly changed, but every +addition to the equipment does change it for better or worse. +Usually the installation of a new machine is hailed as a +progressive move, just because the new machine works better than +the old, but its effect may be very bad. It may be changing the +character of the plant adversely to the interests of all +concerned. Therefore, the controlling spirit should see to it that +each move is made on a basis that is economically sound. + +It is in these changes that the scheme of management has a chance +to make a great difference in the earning power of the entire +business. + +If too large a proportion of the total available capital is tied +up in the machine equipment, the business is handicapped. There is +a right amount which bears a certain relation to the total +required to carry on the enterprise. + +With a given amount of capital for machine equipment, the output +of the plant will be seriously throttled if the net cost of labor +per piece machined is allowed to become the controlling element. + + + +The Workers Help Bring Success. + +The inventor, the officers, and mayhap the foreman, taken all +together, do not and cannot make a successful machine or business +without this supplemental work or ideas that come from actual work +of all workers. + +This new kind of knowledge should not take away a man's courage; +on the contrary, it should give him a true sense of value of +existing, "going" things. With this knowledge he can confidently +and earnestly push a machine that is the product of a good +organization. He will know the great value of much experience and +practise of each of the many men in the organization. He will +neither kill the business by half-hearted indorsement, nor +increase the hazard of investment by urging this or that +modification. Nor will he advocate this or that machine being +added to a line that is already too great. + +The invention, the general organization, the proper direction of +the business, are essential to success. But without that +organization which is only obtained by actual, thoughtful +experience of the men who do things, all the knowledge and +industry of the leaders are utterly useless. + +This knowledge produces a new kind of confidence that has greater +faith in the existing and running things than in the claims for +something that has not had the development of practice. It is the +confidence that knows that the right fundamental ideas and the +policy of "sticking to one thing" will accomplish the best +results. + +This is not a doctrine of optimism that holds there is no inferior +machine. The "best" implies the existence of the inferior. In +nearly all lines there are many grades from the best to the worst, +but the loss of faith in the relative value of a machine is most +commonly due to a lack of full knowledge of the other types, and +it is this kind of loss of courage, confidence, or whatever it may +be, that this chapter is intended to offset. + + + +Have Faith in Your Products. + +What has been said regarding the optimist, the pessimist, and the +vacillating man, from the designing and manufacturing point of +view of a machine business, applies with equal force to the +business organization. + +The business is pushed forward by men who have confidence in the +project and in the product. If these men lose their faith in their +own business, they not only lose their usefulness as pushers and +managers, but they become drags on the industry, and remain so +until restored to normality. The hazard of investment is greatly +increased by such conditions. + +Instances without number have been observed in which men who have +been successful have become unsuccessful through loss of +confidence due to acquiring the "dangerous half-knowledge." + +The man who has acquired the dangerous half-knowledge should take +a post graduate course in some institution where men are treated +by all the most powerful agencies known to science. There may be +no institutions of this kind in existence, but the great need will +doubtless bring the establishment of many. + +The men who have lost faith in their own machinery should be told +that no company can survive the effects of weak-kneed advocates. +Any company is better for a certain amount of aggressive +competition. Any company can stand more or less opposition from +its friends the enemy, but no company can continue to exist under +the blighting effects of the men who have lost this confidence in +them or their product. + +The post graduate course for restoration of the near-wise man +should include educational means of all kinds. The means should be +especially adapted to the need of each student or patient. + +There might be a phonograph in each room, which should work all +night and all day. This machine should repeat over and over a few +short sentences like the following: + +"The only perfect machine is the one you do not know." + +"Study the machines offered by your competitors, just to get the +same degree of knowledge of the 'other' machines--not for the +purpose of slandering or even mentioning--but just to restore your +confidence in the relative value of your own machine." + +"Don't try to get back your belief that your own machine is +perfect--that has gone forever--only look at the other machines +and learn that your own is the best." + +This kind of confidence will not be exuberant, but it will have +marked efficiency in the cold gray world in which you are to again +try your strength. + + + +Specialization. + +We find that in keeping with the trend toward specialization, the +machine shop is now manned and directed by specialists, whose +close application to the technical science of their respective +specialties has in a degree obscured other elements with which +their interests should be coordinated. Among these we generally +find the so-called human element. This feature of specialization, +which is the natural result of concentration and undivided +attention to the work in hand, has entailed a string of +consequences that has lessened the spirit of fellowship and +co-operation. + +The workman in the old machine shop was known as a machinist, an +apprentice or a helper. The machinist trade required skill at +bench, vise and forge, and in the operation of the lathe and +planer. It also required a general knowledge and resourcefulness +which enabled the machinist to make good with the meager +facilities. The large specialized shop of today was not known. + +Today the machine shop is filled with a variety of machines which +have grown out of the original types. Each shop's equipment is +selected to serve the needs of that shop, and since each shop has +a special purpose, its equipment seldom includes the full range of +machine-shop machinery. + +Today the work flows through the machine shop in lots of large +numbers of pieces of a kind, and each machine, as well as each +worker, is kept at one kind of work and usually at one simple +operation. + +The worker in the machine shop of today is no longer known as a +machinist, because that term does not cover the present +range of positions. Even the term "all-round machinist" is no +longer satisfactory. + +Specialization has made so many divisions in the work that it has +resulted in developing men for special branches, so that today we +have relatively few men who can skillfully operate for instance +the engine lathe and planer. Even if there are those who ever had +that ability, most of them have lost it through disuse. + +The workers are now designated by many names indicating their +special work. + +The all-embracing term machine shop is divided into departments +for drafting, designing, accounting, production, flow of work +control, cost accounting and many other divisions. Each calls for +executives and workers having special titles. + +The subdivision of work has resulted in each executive and worker +acquiring a high degree of ability and skill for work of his kind, +and it keeps each one doing the highest class of work for which he +is qualified so that his time is not wasted in the simpler +operations which can be performed by men of lesser ability. + +We can readily see the economic gain that accrues when the worker +becomes more efficient; first, though the greater skill acquired +as a result of fewer operations to perform, and second, through +the use of the highly developed special machines, for then he is +able to produce a greater value for a given expenditure of effort. +We can also see the gain that results from specialization by the +executives, for each one's attention is concentrated to the +management of a smaller range of work; but the average mortal has +not yet reached the point of accepting the fact that to some +extent there should be a division between mental and physical +tasks. It is needless to say that no one in these days would +suggest even a possibility of a general division of the work along +the line between the abilities of the brain and hand and in these +days of construction and operation of intricate mechanisms like +electric and telephone instruments and machinery, aeroplane, +automobiles, railroad machinery, machine shop machinery, army and +navy machinery, from the smallest instrument and small arms to the +big machines like the battleship. The need of the man in whom is +combined the ability of brain and hand transcends any possibility +of our meeting the demand. But specialization does require both +kinds of division. The one that divides along the line between +mental and physical tasks provides great opportunities for those +men who have special ability at either the mental or physical +tasks. It is undoubtedly true that the greatest achievements have +been attained by those who have been unable to combine the great +mental and physical ability. Such men by nature and preference are +most fitted and most comfortable in the positions in which there +is a greater proportion of use for either the brains or fingers. + +Every student of this subject early recognizes that the man at the +physical task should not be unnecessarily distracted by the vexing +problems of planning and directing the work. In some way this does +not seem to fit a democracy, but rather seems to lead toward +autocracy. However, let us keep in mind that specialization is +essential, not only at each physical task, but at the tasks at +which there may be expended a combination of the mental and +physical, and also at those tasks that are wholly mental, and that +a division should be made to get the best results from the whole +organization. While it may seem autocratic to leave to one group +the determination of the methods of work, and to another the task +of doing the work, the fact remains that this is an element of +specialization. That which seems so objectionable to a man with an +alert mind, is not so objectionable when he realizes that many men +of the highest type are happiest when given a chance to work out +tasks unembarrassed by problems of procedure. While this has been +one of the great tragedies of industrial life, when square pegs +have been put in round holes, it is one of the most important +questions that an engineer has to consider. + +The human view will make us all labor towards the complete +elimination of degrading tasks, by changing machinery and +processes so as to fit the various types of men available. Through +it all, we must see to it, that our scheme of work is true to the +fundamental law of specialization, and that we recognize that +there must be some division between the physical and mental tasks, +and that this does not necessarily lead away from democracy. In +fact, we must recognize there are two extremes. At one extreme we +find the ideal of a highly specialized organization in which the +greatest value in quality of work and quantity of output is +possible through a complete co-ordination of the work of all types +of men, each at his own kind of work, in which each can excel; and +the other extreme in which we find a general disorganization which +returns us to the primitive condition in which man's energies were +most inefficiently used. Such a state is the natural result of +anarchy, and it is a state that would leave this or any other +country an easy prey to a country in which specialization existed. + +One means team work of great wealth-producing capacity, and the +other a state in which the struggle for mere existence would be +severe. + +The salvation of the world will be worked out if there is at least +one well disposed nation that stands firmly for specialized +industrial organizations. This will result in both industrial and +military supremacy--for it is now well known that military +supremacy cannot exist without the highest types of machinery +building shops. + +Such a nation could dominate all others and could ultimately check +the disorganizing activities of the well-intentioned but +shortsighted reformers. + +The higher form fits our highest civilization and national +security, and the other is a direct step toward chaos. + +Nevertheless there is almost a stampede of sentiment against +specialization and its product--the large industrial organization. +This stampede has taken many of our otherwise well informed +people, and now we are seeing its extreme effect in the +iconoclastic fever that is raging in Russia and elsewhere. + +We know that the individual, the industry or the nation that +specializes will produce the greatest results with a given +expenditure of energy, and we know that all this plan of +specialization requires a co-ordination of the work of all. + +There should be brought about through specialization the highest +degree of ability on the part of the executive officers, as well +as the highest skill of the workers, and each man should have the +satisfaction of knowing that no one on the face of the globe can +excel him at his specialty, and furthermore that his energies are +expended in the best way to produce value. + +Many men have already realized this ideal. Many industrial +organizations have also attained it in a very high degree, +and while there was a trend of some of the nations toward +specialization before the war, there was developed in America a +spirit of antagonism toward the large units that had grown up as a +result of this specialization. Not that specialization was +objectionable, but that industrial supremacy of an organization +was thought to be a distinct menace. + +Since it is in these specialized industries that the individual +should find his best opportunity to produce the greatest wealth +for a given expenditure of effort, such organizations should be +maintained and all others should be gradually changed over so as +to make the most economical use of the man power of the nation. + +We have found by experience that industrial organizations are +successful if they specialize. We have handed down to us the +saying that "The Jack of all trades is master of none". Our brains +accept these statements, we recognize them as facts, but owing to +one of the irrational traits of the human being, it is one +thing to believe and another to practice. It is one thing to +superficially know that it is important for us to specialize as +individuals, and it is quite another matter to bring ourselves to +act in conformity with this fundamental law. + +The great economic gain or advantage possessed by the Ford +Company, and many of the other companies in this country, is not +due to the fact that they have selected a wonderful model that is +superior to others in every way, but it is based on the fact that +specialization makes it possible for the various officers and +workers to become the foremost men in their respective offices. +Specialization of an industry becomes effective only when each man +continues at a given job or work. Shifting men about the plant is +harmful, excepting in so far as it may be good to promote men from +position to position to fit the development of the men and the +industry. The plant can be wrecked by changing men from position +to position without changing the product. It can also be, wrecked +by changing the form of its product in fact any change, whether it +is a change of the product or a change of the men, which +interferes with the continuity of operation of a man along habit +lines is an economic loss to that organization. + +We have stated that each man should specialize in order to produce +the greatest value for a given expenditure of energy--that +specialization of the industries is necessary. + +That each man has some special knowledge that fits his +environment. + +That the skilled worker has a special knowledge for his duties. + +We have pointed out the need of a closer relationship between the +specialists. That they are all interdependent and must cooperate. + +In setting forth the importance of the worker we must remember the +equal importance of every other member of a well-balanced +industry. + +Lay directors and even lay chief officers are not necessarily a +menace or even burdens, if they have a fair conception of human +nature and the importance of each element in an organization, and +the full necessity of coordination of all. + +They should know, however, that every man should be paid first in +cash and second in honor, appreciation, esteem, good will +inspiration, commendation for his good work and good qualities, +careful consideration of his troubles and a genuine knowledge that +his interests are being justly considered. + + + +INVENTION + +The following chapter is given in its original form as a lecture +to the Engineering Society of the Stevens Institute of Technology. + +Its value in furnishing a side-light on the subject of habit, to +which the preceding chapters have been more directly applicable, +lies in its emphasis on the importance of the inventor (or +designer, if you prefer) having clearly before him at all times +the effect of habits of thought and action both in himself and in +all others. These modes must be both conserved and combated in +himself when building up favorable mental state. He must build on +habit in order to have his mind continue in its application to a +chosen subject, and he must combat any tendency to follow habit +lines of thought that may have been established by observation of +the older forms or methods. His inventions must be of a kind that +will be readily made, sold, and used by men whose habits of +thought and action he cannot readily change. + +This should be of value not only to the designer, but also to +those who direct or co-operate with him. + +In designing the parts of a machine, the need of trimming here and +there, of giving up this or that ideal form just to get things +together, must be seen and done unflinchingly. And in the same way +the whole scheme must be made to conform to the economic +conditions. + +If the machine under consideration is like a machine tool, and is +to be offered for sale, then the manufacturing, selling, and use +must be taken into account. In machine-tool design a wholly new +invention is an exceedingly rare thing, and a successful new +machine is still more rare. + +We must remember our own tendency to follow precedent, and we must +make an effort to see the problem in its natural form without +being misled by the solutions evolved by others. + + + +Be Practical. + +The toughened idealist may not look or act like an idealist, +but in reality his idealism is one of the practically-wise +construction. He allows his memory to hold all that is helpful of +the past, both of the blunders or successes. + +The dreamer who has been toughened by experience is one who lets +his rational brain have control. He ranks next to the stalwart +knight of the eraser, because he has the courage to arrest the +endless tinkering of design in order to get something done. He +will not let the family freeze while he is thinking up some grand +scheme of sawing and splitting wood by magic. + +A most cursory glance at the machinery in use in the world will +show that the work has been done by imperfect machines. A study of +the design of any machine brings out the innumerable shortcomings. + +If we see a machine that seems perfect, it is perfectly safe to +set it down in black and white that we do not fully comprehend it. +It is safe to say that the only perfect machine is the new model +that is to be tried very soon. + +With these facts in mind it does not require very much courage to +go ahead with an imperfect design, but unfortunately these +thoughts will not stay in the mind of the average designer. They +are crowded out by the flood of ideas for still further +betterment. That is why it is just to give high rank to the man +who had courage to go ahead and build, even when he realized the +faults of a design. + +Perhaps one of the aids to this action is the knowledge that the +apparent opportunity to improve a design may only be apparent. In +reality the change is only a change, and is no betterment, a very +common outcome of such ideas. The knowledge of the great array of +failures of such "improvements" is wholesome and helpful to bear +in mind. + + + +The Inventor Sees Opportunities to Improve. + +The inventor, from his point of view, sees the great need +and opportunity to improve the design of the machine being +manufactured. He sees that the big machines are nothing but +enlarged editions of the early and smaller ones. He knows that +with a change of size there should be a change of design. He knows +that although a granite rock weighing a few tons will not be kept +suspended in air by a heavy wind, a small part of the same rock +will be carried away by a breeze, and may be kept suspended by a +very slight current of air. He knows that the small particle of +granite has a greater superficial area in proportion to its +weight. He sees on every hand that a change of dimensions +frequently entails a change of design. + +He also sees the opportunity to effect a great saving by building +the large machine for its special service, and not on the exact +lines of the smallest model. The failure of the management to +adopt his plans seems nothing less than unreasonableness to the +inventor, for like other mortals he is a trifle slow at grasping +the fact that no two beings have exactly the same point of view or +the same quality of sight. + +Another inventor sees a chance to make further improvements and he +is disturbed because there is a ban on changes. He feels that the +mechanical success of his previous work should be a sufficient +guarantee of the economic advantage of the last proposed plan. + +If an attempt is made to show him that the ban on changes is +absolutely necessary from an economic point of view, it is found +that the reasoning does not get the same reaction in his mind as +in that of the manager. To him the great advance of the new scheme +fully warrants the temporary expense. + + + +Improvements May Be Disasterous. + +Improvements should be sparingly made. Any improvement that +requires a change in construction or operation may be disasterous +financially. + +This may all seem extremely pessimistic. But it is only seemingly +so. Experience shows it to be the true view. + +If it is true, then the machine designer should know it. A mere +knowledge of mechanism is insufficient for him. A large business +experience cannot be purchased, and his success should not be +contingent on the business ability of another. He should know how +a machine should be designed, and should not depend too heavily on +the views of the business men who have not a clear knowledge of +the technical problem. + +Perhaps some of you may feel that there are many other problems to +be encountered before you will meet these which I have set forth. +But we should remember that the mind holds some of such +impressions a very long time. It holds them below the threshold of +conscious thought, and under ideal working conditions it brings +them above it when they are needed. + +If you have caught my meaning you will not be weakened in +enthusiasm for new work, but you will be protected in a measure +against some of the reaction due to disappointment. There is a +great field for earnest workers, and it is easy to become one by +working on the lines set forth. + + + +Natural Fitness. + +One of the first questions that arises in the mind of one who +intends to undertake machine design is, what constitutes natural +fitness for it. There seems to be no positive basis on which to +determine in advance a natural fitness for this work, but there +are certain temperamental characteristics that undoubtedly have +much to do with the success. + +The temperament should be one favorable to continuity of thought +along a given line, as well as one that will by nature take an +intense interest in the subject. + +If these characteristics are missing, it may be due more to the +distracting interests that in these days crowd in upon the mind, +than to a lack of natural aptitude. The absorbing interest, +however, is essential, and it may be developed by conforming to +well-known principles of orthodox psychology. Self-torture or hard +driving is not nearly as helpful as a strong inner purpose to keep +the chosen subject in the real center of conscious thought. + +The subject that comes to mind when there is a lull in the outside +demands on the attention, or one that is insistent on taking +possession of the mind, even when other matters are objectively +more in evidence,--that subject is the one that holds the center +of the inner attention. That is the controlling idea or purpose. +Ordinarily, it is some diversion; occasionally, the haunting +bugbear of some unfinished work or obligation. If the mind is +dominated by such ideas or any other than the real problem in +hand, the individual is seriously handicapped. + +When a problem of machine design is undertaken, the mind must make +it the real center of attraction. To one having an average +endowment for such work, this is not a difficult task, but to get +the best results it should be rightly undertaken. + + + +Repeated Thinking. + +A chosen subject is brought, with some lasting effect, to the +center of attention by repeatedly bringing it into the mind at the +moments of lull in the pressure of other affairs. The astronomers +wait for the moment of best seeing, and the designer must wait for +the actual psychological moment. + +The best seeing condition for the astronomer is due in a small +measure to his own physical condition, and in a large measure to +atmospheric conditions, but the most opportune time for +clear-headed vision of the designer is due mostly to his own +physical and mental condition. + +Probably no two men have their minds equally affected by their +environment or their physical condition, but the fact that there +is a most favorable time and condition for such thought and work +should continually be borne in mind. Without this a man with +natural endowment may try his wings at flight at an inopportune +time, and if he fails he may be firmly convinced that he was never +made for flying. + +This undoubtedly applies equally well to other kinds of work. It +may not be strictly true of a perfectly normal man (if there be +such a creature), but it is truly applicable to many workers in +this and similar kinds of work. + +This phase is mentioned in order to make clear, not only how a +designer should work, but the thought that should be kept +uppermost in the mind of one who is trying to do this work. + +The physical condition is more or less dependent on the mood, and +to a great extent the mood is dependent on the condition of the +body. The strenuous gait is seldom the best, and, of course, the +extremely indifferent one is of little value. The best for the +average man is one born of a quiet environment, with mind and body +in a fairly restful condition, or still better, in a rested and +fresh condition. + + + +Concentrating Attention. + +The quiet end of the day is almost as good for clear thinking as +the early morning, especially if the day has not been overstrenuous +and the activities have been gradually tapered off. + +There are many instances that would seem to show that the +strenuous gait is the best, but nearly all of these evidences are +questionable. When finally simmered down, the good work done under +high pressure is frequently due to latent ideas that were the +product of quiet thinking. The mood and the dominant idea may be +predicated as necessary. + +As already stated, the habit of thought most favorable for the +persistence of a single group of ideas is attained by the practice +of switching the attention back to the desired subject. + +This should be done at the opportune time. The subject should not +be forced on a tired mind. It should not be taken in as a painful +duty, but it should be made the one thing of interest. Really +valuable results can only come along the line of the dominant +thought. All other work lacks directness. It follows precedent to +an unnecessary extent. + + + +Interest Must be Awakened, Not Forced. + +Another way of saying all this is that the designer must get +interested in the particular problem, and he must have an interest +that crowds out all other thoughts, even thoughts of similar work. +It is useless, however, to say, "get interested in the work," +unless we suggest a way to awaken interest. Surely, we know that +interest does not come at mere bidding, and that it cannot be +forced by hard work. But it can be induced by an easy process in a +normal being, providing he has not already too firmly established +a set of habit thoughts of another kind. + +The normal being, by persistent intention, can establish the +desired thought habits by returning the preferred group of ideas +to mind. Interest is awakened by this comparatively easy process, +and when a genuine interest exists, the actual work follows as a +natural result, and it is a pleasure instead of a drudgery. + +This is not intended as preaching in any sense; but only to bring +to mind facts known to all, with the view of implanting these +facts in the mind of the machine designer. + +Some designers have done excellent work with no thought of +psychological problems. But in this more strenuous age it seems +best to take advantage of every aid to the desired end. + +The intricacy of mechanism has reached such a state that new +designers are almost overwhelmed with the mere thought of trying +to comprehend the existing machines. But with the advance of the +world of machinery, there has been a better comprehension of the +working of the "thinking machine", and we must take advantage of +this knowledge in order to win out. It is particularly needful now +to study its most efficient use. We are getting to the point where +mental energy saving methods should be used. + +It is not necessary to go beyond the bounds of orthodox science +for schemes for getting the best results from a given mind. We +have known for centuries that men tend to habits of thought as +well as action,--that thought habits are like ruts, and these are +encountered wherever the mind travels, and these ruts bring the +mind back to a certain central group or community of groups of +ideas. + + + +Establishing Useful Ruts. + +The real secret of success is in establishing ruts of a useful +kind, ruts with switches that may be operated by the mind at will, +or that work automatically when the mind would otherwise wander. + +Since even fleeting thoughts are germs of acts, it takes no great +effort or self-torture if we will but understand the processes and +smoke out the undesirable germs, and allow and encourage the +growth of the preferred groups of thoughts. This may be called a +lazy man's way of doing things, but it is the way to conserve the +mental and physical energy, and it gets results. + +In saying that the problems of the work in hand should come +automatically and agreeably into the mind when there is a lull in +the impressions being made by other things, it is not the +intention to convey the meaning that one must have no other +interests. + +The mind gets its clearest view by the scheme already mentioned +for creating interest, viz., by repeatedly bringing it back to the +subject whenever it is found wandering. + +The best view for invention is that which reveals the most natural +way for accomplishing the purpose for which the machine is wanted. +It should not be born of precedent. It should not follow the lines +thought out by other designers. + +It readily discovers the obsolete features in existing machines, +features that were required in other days but have no use now. +Such things remain there just because later designers have +followed blindly. + +All designers follow more or less. We have shown the great need of +following the set habits of users, but we should make a distinct +attempt to get back to nature; that is, to see just what is best +for the purpose, and to get the most direct and natural means. If +this is too much of a task, just hunt for the obsolete features. +Above all things, we must not try to follow another's work. We too +often follow unwittingly and to our misfortune even when we try to +keep out of the rut. + +Machine designers who have done original work will tell us that it +is easier to do good work by striking out on new lines than it is +to follow the work of others, or even to tinker over some of their +own inventions of other years. It requires more ability to take up +the work of another and change it, than to start out in some +original scheme. + +The machine builder knows that the success of any machine depends +on the clear-sightedness of his designer and the oneness of +purpose of all the heads of all the departments devoted to the +construction, sale, and oversight of the running machines in the +hands of the users. And last but not least, in these days of +supremacy of specialization, he knows that success comes only to +the largest group of men organized for this particular kind of +work. + + + +All Men are Human Beings. + +One of the first things we learn in the works or office is that +all men are really human beings. The second one is that the +meanest one is only so because of certain physical or mental +conditions that are the direct result of natural law. Usually it +is not necessary to drag in heredity, for we find ample cause in +his environment, within our range of vision. + +As a rule, a good understanding of men insures a wholesome regard +for them, while failure to understand the other fellow (or the +equivalent, the failure of the other fellow to understand us) may +bring out many things that make us feel that he is not one whose +feelings or interests should be considered. + +To any one that has had experience in the shop and a fairly +well-rounded business and financial experience in this particular +field of work, the other fellow is invariably a good fellow whenever +there is a chance for a fairly complete understanding. + +If we can accept this statement tentatively, and follow it up by a +determined purpose to actually feel it, then we have obtained +something by the royal process that would have otherwise required +much time and perhaps some unpleasant experiences. + +This knowledge is essential to success in designing machinery. +True, many have been successful with a very different attitude, +but engineers of the future must see to it that as many of the +phases are as favorable as can be made so. + +Regarding the absorption of the knowledge of working mechanism in +the works this is greatly facilitated by a wholesome relationship +with other workers, and it is greatly handicapped without it. +Therefore, it is one of the cardinal points for the machine +designer to get thoroughly acquainted with others in the work so +as to know their likes and dislikes, as well as the mechanical +needs. + +The favorable features in machine designs are: directness of +mechanism for the purpose; its simplicity and its efficiency; its +adaptability to the habit of thought and action of makers and +users. + +The obstacles to its success are any of the features it may have +that cannot be readily comprehended by those who are to build, +sell, buy, and use these devices. It is of little value for real +success for a machine to be one that is readily understood by a +draftsman or manager, or that it is one that may be made to +perform wonders in the hands of a skilled expert. + +The real economic success depends on the number of machines that +will be used. The number of machines that will be used depends on +the readiness with which the real workers take hold and manipulate +the machine. + +To get a true conception of the value of a machine, it is +necessary to look at the showing of a business engaged in its +manufacture. In estimating the value of a machine-building +business for this purpose it is customary to speak of its "good +will." + + + +Easiest Way to Improve. + +Inventions of complete novelty and of great economic value have +attained success going in opposition to this principle of +conformity to the habit of the world. But the easiest way is to +direct improvements and inventions along lines that are the most +readily assimilated by the minds of the beings to be considered, +and this may be said to be one of the master-keys to economic +success. + +The work of building the first model of a new machine may be under +the direct supervision of the inventor, and if only one machine is +to be made, the inventor can follow it wherever it is used. By +patience and industry he may instruct some one in the use of it, +but in these days there is no chance for a great economic success +in making just one machine, or in fact any machine for which there +is not a large market. Hence, we will confine our attention to +machines made in such large quantities that the complete +supervision of manufacture, sale, and use is beyond the capacity +of one person. + +For all such machinery the design must more or less conform to the +thought and habits of work of all concerned. Some of the most +direct designs have failed to meet with success just because the +inventor did things in an unusual way. The unusual way is a blind +way, and is difficult to find. In some instances it amounts to no +way at all, for it is never used. + +If a radical change in design is to be made, the new machine +should be one that will be the most readily understood. Obscure +parts or unusual means should be avoided. + +If moving parts must be covered, some way should be provided for +convenient observation. It is the obscure departure that is the +most troublesome, and it is the obvious thing that offers the +least resistance to progress. + +There is a chance to progress by obvious devices, and such +progress is enjoyed by all, from the makers to the users. It +stimulates their weak but wholesome appetite for progress. + + + +Technical View Insufficient. + +But whether the clear view of the designer is due to peculiar +fitness for seeing such things, or to proper application, the fact +remains that this clear view of the technical side is insufficient +in itself. The man with the clear view must also realize that +others do not get the same view. He must know that the mind +automatically takes in things of interest to it and wards off +others. Even when the individual apparently tries to comprehend +something in which he has no special interest, it only results in +a superficial mental impression, one that has no appreciable +effect on the actions. + +This failure of mankind in general to grasp the advantages of a +new mechanism as it appears on paper is only a slight part of the +troubles to be encountered by a progressive designer. + +He has to contend with habits of thought and action of all the +human beings affected by the new machine. This includes the entire +group of men in the manufacturing plant in which the machine must +be made, the business organization both in this plant and the one +in which it is to be used, and, after all this, the greatest +obstacle of this kind is to be met in the man who uses the +machine. For it is in his hands that a machine must prove its +value. + +When we consider the inertia of mind and body, it is truly +marvelous that there has been any progress in machine design. In +fact, if the machine-building trade were in retrogression, with +only a few new men being taken in there would be little or no +excuse for making machine tools of new design. The older workers +would get along about as well without the improved machines. + +This is not said in a spirit of fault finding. It is a great fact +that we should grasp if we are to design machinery successfully. + +It is difficult for the man of sanguine temperament to really +accept this view, and it is also hard for one who is continually +searching for knowledge. But it must be appreciated, and all work +must conform to this principle, if it is to be pushed forward +along the lines of easiest progress. + +Accepting this view is no barrier to progress. It will not +ultimately delay the work of a reformer if he is induced to act in +accordance with this principle. It only prevents a wreck. + +The knowledge of the force of habit of man should therefore be +used in two ways: + +First, when the designer is trying to make the most natural +machine for the purpose. Then he must overcome his own tendency to +follow precedent. Second, when considering the kind of a machine +that can be easily made, sold, and used, he must give due +consideration to the inertia of others, for their inertia he +cannot hope to quickly change. Reformers in this world generally +have a hard time whenever they under estimate the inertia of men's +minds and bodies. + +A designer of machinery, by close application to his tasks, should +obtain a clearer view than it is possible for others to possess, +of the way a machine should be designed, made, and used. It is not +necessary to assume he has a better brain. An ordinary mind +applied to a given subject sees it more clearly than an abler mind +which has not considered the subject with the right interest. + + + +Inventions Should Not Mix With Details. + +In first working out the mechanical schemes no energy should be +wasted in trying to make the sketches correct in proportion. The +very functioning of the brain along the draftsman's line shifts it +away from the inventive mood. The exact drawing frequently shows +the necessity of change in general scheme, but that is only one of +the after-steps. + +The fundamental idea is the starting-point, and must be sketched +out as fully as possible without losing the very frail thread of +thought. + +A clear view of the scheme is not to be obtained on demand. The +schemer must wait in patience, as the astronomer waits for steady +air, and, like the astronomer, he must have every facility in +shipshape. The clear view is only clear to the watching eye. + +The coast-wise skipper in making a fog-bound harbor will see a +buoy through a slight shift in fog, while a landsman might look in +vain. + +The wanderer in the happy dreamland of mechanical scheming must +not be looking for complete drawings, specifications, and working +model of the invention he wishes to bring into the breathless and +waiting world. He must be looking through the mist of the +thickened senses as the skipper looks through the fog. The buoy +and the scheme may be never so faintly shown, but yet with +sufficient clearness to give a positive guide for the course. + +Inventive schemes cannot be forced by strenuous effort. Such +effort may result in slight refinements of a given type, but never +would have invented the DeLaval or Tesla turbine. + +It is not my purpose to belittle the great work that has been done +in improving existing machines, for this, after all, is the real +great work that must be done. It is the work to which the world +owes its greatest debt for progress in material wealth. +Furthermore, it is a phase that must be considered in connection +with every invention before that invention can become of value to +any one. But just now we must consider how the inventor must work +while dreaming out the fundamental ideas of a mechanical scheme. + +The clear view of a mechanical scheme is more likely to come after +a good night's rest, particularly if the schemer has retired with +the problem in mind. There are times when invention comes under +severe stress, hard physical work, and mental anxiety, but the +most usual time is after a sleep which refreshed mind and body. +After this the inventor brings his scheme to the drafting board, +to patent office, to factory, and to the market, and in each case +he encounters barriers. + + + +Designing by the Square Foot. + +The ordinary work of machine design, in which well-known parts are +grouped to accomplish a given end, without much thought of +attaining anything approaching the best,--such designing is like +painting a fence, so many square feet of paper should be covered +per day. But the real higher type of work cannot be measured in +this way. It requires the forethought, the close application, the +keen interest, and the comfortable idea building. + +Designing by the square foot is, however, a good preparation, and +many a good brain has been developed by such work. + +The importance of designing a machine to meet all the conditions +necessary to success from a mechanical and business standpoint is +fully recognized by every one. But the grouping of the ideas in +the mind while working out the various phases must not be hampered +by the bewildering picture of all of these problems, each +demanding consideration at every move. The phase in hand must have +the concentrated attention, and the best conditions for its +solution. + +The harmonizing is an after-process which must be worked out by a +series of compromises after the various component elements have +been almost independently considered. + + + +Problems to Consider. + +In taking up the problems of design of a machine, there will be +found an almost endless number of elements to consider. The +strictly mechanical problem of the best machine for the purpose +never stands alone. + +What is the measure of the best machine? How much can be spent on +its design and construction? How much work is to be done? An +endless variety of questions at once crowd into the mind for +answer. + +It is doubtful if all the elements could ever be tabulated in any +form that would be a positive guide in shaping the final result, +but in a general way the designer should make a fairly good guess +at the kind of standard toward which he should work. + +There are, doubtless, men capable of carefully weighing the almost +infinite number of variants, but such men usually lack the +intuitive scheme of work, on which the inventive side of a +designer depends. + +For the ordinary mortal the best process of working is to keep a +vague picture of the whole requirement in mind while concentrating +on some one phase. + +When the inventive qualities are to be called into use, the +economic side, the business side, the manufacturing, the selling, +the personal profit in cash or glory, all these must be absolutely +crowded out of the center of the mental picture. Even fleeting +thoughts of other elements seem to prevent the inventive +functioning of the mind. + +In like manner the problems of manufacturing, selling, patents, +business organization, must each be given a separate consideration. +The interval between taking up the various questions should be +as wide as possible. The mind seems to require a previous notice +of days or weeks or more in order to take up any one of these +problems, at least, with any hope of success. + + + +The Hero of the Eraser. + +The drafting board may show that no such arrangement of parts can +ever be made, that the whole scheme must be altered to make it +practical. A real hero is required for the work of juggling the +elements of a drafting board. He must have patient endurance and +sufficient strength of character to use the eraser heroically, for +the eraser is mightier than the pencil in the drafting-room. There +are a thousand valiant knights armed with pencils to one stalwart +pusher of the eraser. + +In the drafting-room the work of harmonizing must go on; +compromises must be made between the ideal scheme of the dreamer +and the requirements of the manufacturing and selling departments. + +Next to the noble knight of the eraser comes the idealist who has +been toughened by experience in the cold world. + +The idealist aims to design and construct a perfect machine. He is +encouraged in his work by seeing a little clearer each day, month, +and year of the time spent in the right kind of application to his +work. He knows that the work of last year is faulty, that this +year's work seems nearly perfect, excepting for a certain slight +change that has just entered his mind. He cannot think of allowing +any machine to be made without this later improvement. + +He is inclined to the optimistic view, his memory works best on +the good work of the past, and is extremely poor in holding afresh +the view of previous mistakes. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Industrial Progress and Human Economics +by James Hartness + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS *** + +***** This file should be named 11090.txt or 11090.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/0/9/11090/ + +Produced by Christopher Bloomfield and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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