Efficiency Methods
An Introduction to Scientific Management

TRADES UNIONS 183 In most recent writings about the British indus- trial situation after the war the final reform which is urged upon employers with some emphasis is that they should give the workmen “ more voice in ” or “ more control over ” the processes in production with which they are concerned. It has been pointed out with much earnestness that the gospel preached everywhere in war-time that each workman is “ a member of a co-operative body working har- moniously to a common end ” is also a gospel for industry in peace-time.1 It must never be forgotten that the Trades Unions of Great Britain have fore- gone their securities, and trusted them to the good faith of the Government and the nation as com- pletely as any capitalist has trusted his financial securities. As much as he does, they deserve to get those securities back with interest, even if in a modified form. One event which has happened, though not with far-reaching present consequences, is the repre- sentation of workers on Munition Committees in various parts of the country which are actually directing industry.2 This is a step in the right direction. Scientific management will have a better chance of doing valuable work in the industrial reconstruction here if it can create and utilize work- men’s committees as one of its means of getting willing co-operation. 1 See, in the Industrial Outlook (C. S. Furniss), Mr. G. W. Daniell’s lecture at Ruskin College. „ * See the Industrial Outlook, p. 123 ; “ Labour in War-Time, by G. D. Cole, pp. 196 and 223-5.