AMERICA AT WORK

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10377, 7 April 1927, Page 5

AMERICA AT WORK

IMPRESSES AUSTRALIAN MISSION SOOTHING EFFECT OF MUSIC. (Received April 6, 10.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 5. After spending two days inspecting industries at Buffalo, the Australian Industrial Mission reached Rochester, the programme apparently satisfying the employees' representatives who participated in the inspection. The Commission watched mass production in the moulding shop of the American Radiator Company at the rate of 250 boxes daily, which was a remarkable performance, in view of the sire of the castings. The moulders who were doing the work were engaged only a few months previously as laborers, there being practically no apprenticeship to skilled trades, the management saying there had been great difficulty; in obtaining apprentices, half-trained toys leaving after two years’ service and obtaining employment as machinists, earning £6 to £7 weekly. The mission listened to the plavof an organ costing £20,000, installed in the magnificent offices of Learning and Co.’s Distributing Agency, where 1500 employees, mostly typists, worked while the organ was playing, the manager declaring that the music had a soothing effect during office work. Mr Grayndler, interviewed by the Buffalo Courier and Express, said America could certainly teach Australia something as to magnitude and line organisation. The manufacturing industries were amongst America’s most impressive sights. Mr Guy, also interviewed, said that the American industrial success was due to the remarkable layout of plants and mass production, coupled with the piece-work bonus, which make employer and employee happy, resulting m greater production. America had developed efficiency into a scientific idea.—A. and N.Z.C.A