Educational. The establishment of classes in English for foreign-born workers, supple mented by instructions in citizenship. In some plants the work of instruction is carried still further, classes being formed for those who desire to pursue the studies that will fit them for higher positions in the employ of the com pany, while others encourage the employees to improve their education by reimbursing them for the money they may spend in courses of study when completed.
Housing. In many cases companies have found it advantageous to inaugurate housing developments, thus enabling the workers to live under decent conditions in a proper environ ment, either by the payment of rent or on an instalment-purchase basis. In several instances thriving communities have been established, with all the attractions of small city life, and under conditions that are conducive to health, contentment and efficiency.
Developing a Plant Spirit. Many of the activities adopted by different plants are par ticularly designed to develop a spirit of friend ship and loyalty on the part of the employee. Among these are (a) the plant paper, a period ical which details the gossip and news happen ings in the plant and which has almost in variably proved a source of great mutual en joyment and profit; promotion of social functions, such as picnics during the summer months and entertainments, amateur theatricals, minstrel shows, amateur circuses, lectures and dances in the winter; in some plants foremen's meetings or dinners are held; in others, depart mental gatherings for various social purposes; (c) the encouragement of any form of self directed organization on the part of the em ployees so long as they are not contrary to the interests of the plant; such organizations in cluding singing societies, bands, drum corps and all kinds of athletic activities. In many plants
such facilities as athletic fields, hand-ball courts, tennis courts, indoor gymnasiums, bowling alleys, billiard tables and even playgrounds for the children or the employees are provided.
Day Nurseries. In several instances day nurseries have been established in manufactur ing plants for the care of the small children of women who are compelled to support their families and who would otherwise be unable to work and properly care for their little ones.
Suggestion Box. Many employers have re ported the success of plans for considering written suggestions submitted by employees, the reward being such commendation, promotion or prizes as the suggestions were found to deserve.
Protection for Workers. During the past few years many plans have been adopted for the better remuneration and fuller protection of employees. These include (a) the payment of bonuses for efficient and faithful service; (b) the purchase of group insurance providing for payments in case of sickness or death; (c) the pensioning of aged or disabled employees, and (d) various plans for profit-sharing that have been adopted as a substitute for the pension. In addition, there are the several systems of co-operative management that have been adopted as a means of reducing the labor turn over through the promotion of industrial peace and contentment and which range from a skght variation from the ordinary shop committee to the more radical industrial democracy. Con sult Slichter, S. H., The Turnover of Factory Labor) (1919).
Joint R. MEADER, Labor and Service Department, Brighton Mills, Passaic, N. J.