Efficiency Methods
An Introduction to Scientific Management

TRADES UNIONS 163 Dr. Taylor’s attitude to Trades Unionism itself seems to have remained much the same to the end of his life. On the more general question of the duties and responsibilities of the employer there is reason to think that his views modified as years went on. In “ Shop Management,” p. 143, we find the following blunt statement: “All employ és should bear in mind that each shop exists, first, last, and all the time, for the purpose of paying dividends to its owners.” In April, 1914, he gave testimony thus before the Industrial Relations Commission : “ And I want to make it perfectly clear, because I do not think it is clear, that my interest, and I think the interest of every man who is in any way engaged in scientific management . . . must be, first, the welfare of the working-men. That must be the object. It is inconceivable that a man should devote his time and life to that sort of thing for the sake of making more money for a whole lot of manufacturers.” 1 Perhaps the two views are not quite inconsistent, but the emphasis is entirely changed. Mr. H. L. Gantt’s general view of Labour Unions is much like that of his leader ; he thinks that they will prove unnecessary under scientific manage- ment. To him they represent “ force ” in antithesis to “ knowledge.” He writes in “ Work, Wages, and Profits ” as if a Union in one’s works was something to be avoided, something for which, however, the ways of the old-fashioned employer were a good deal 1 See H. B. Drurv “ Scientific Management,” p. 204.