Efficiency Methods
An Introduction to Scientific Management

TRADES UNIONS 177 being supplied by careful fatigue study ; mentally it rests on the possibility of producing permanent sources of interest. No bonus system can have an infallible power to produce such interest. Schemes involving competition among workers are usually unfair and in other ways objectionable. The discussion of motions and their times can make details very interesting; this has been especially experienced by Mr. Gilbreth’s followers, who can show the workers the fascinating results of their ingenious mechanisms. But security as to present position, and a lively hope for advancement and promotion, may prove the greatest help of all. The workers’ co-operation in improvements of method has to be ensured, and a generous treatment of suggestions, with a well-thought-out scheme for obtaining them, should give satisfactory results. But we have not yet come to the end of our Unionist worker’s valid objections. The most im- portant of all, the one that goes the deepest, is whether scientific management will actually weaken the solidarity of his Union, even if it should recognize and deal with the Union as a representative or- ganization. With all his shrewd knowledge of men, Taylor did not comprehend the strength of loyalty to each other which workmen may develop. In- dividualist sentiments have so long been the most popular ones in America and have given the catch- words to so many propaganda, that it is difficult for middle-class people there to see that a section of the community, which resents “ paternalism ” in