Shop Management

58 SHOP MANAGEMENT first-class men — who through unfortunate circum- stances had never had the opportunity of proving their worth — at last were given the chance to earn high wages and become prosperous. What the writer wishes particularly to emphasize is that this whole system rests upon an accurate and scientific study of unit times, which is by far the most important element in scientific manage- ment. With it, greater and more permanent results can be attained even under ordinary day work or piece work than can be reached under any of the more elaborate systems without it. In 1895 the writer read a paper before The Ameri- can Society of Mechanical Engineers entitled “A Piece Rate System.” His chief object in writing it was to advocate the study of unit times as the foundation of good management. Unfortunately, he at the same time described the “differential rate” system of piece work, which had been introduced by him in the Midvale Steel Works. Although he called attention to the fact that the latter was entirely of secondary importance, the differential rate was widely discussed in the journals of this country and abroad while practically nothing was said about the study of “unit times.” Thirteen members of the Society discussed the piece rate system at length, and only two briefly referred to the study of the “unit times.” The writer most sincerely trusts that his leading object in writing this book will not be overlooked, and that scientific time study will receive the atten- tion which it merits. Bearing in mind the Bethlehem