THE PERSONAL RELATION IN INDUSTRY BY JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, Jr. BONI AND LIVERIGHT Publishers   New York Copyright, 1923, by Boni and Liveright, Inc. ——— PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA First printing, December, 1923 Second printing, January, 1924...

The following material by Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., consists, with one exception, of addresses delivered by him on various occasions and amidst the demands of many varied interests. These addresses are left practically as they were delivered, and no effort has been made to change their form. Slight repetitions of certain points may be noted in these addresses, a condition which is expected in arguments or subjects of the character of those contained in this book. The publishers, in obtaining

To-day the world is passing through a period of reconstruction. As we address ourselves to the grave problems which confront us, problems both national and international, we may look for success in their solution just in so far as we continue to be animated by the spirit of coöperation and brotherhood. The hope in the future lies in the perpetuation of this spirit, and unless increasingly it is made the foundation of the political, social, and industrial life of the world, there will not be perm

If coöperation between the parties to industry is sound business and good social economics, why then is antagonism so often found in its stead? The answer is revealed in a survey of the development of industry. In the early days of industry, as we know, the functions of capital and management were not infrequently combined in the one individual, who was the employer. He in turn was in constant touch with his employees. Together they formed a vital part of the community. Personal relations were f

Various methods of representation in industry have been developed, conspicuous among which are those of labor unions and employers’ associations. As regards the organization of labor, it is just as proper and advantageous for labor to associate itself into organized groups for the advancement of its legitimate interests as for capital to combine for the same object. Such associations of labor manifest themselves in collective bargaining, in an effort to secure better working and living condition

A method of representation similar to the Whitley Plan, though less comprehensive, and which is constructed from the bottom up, has been in operation for varying periods of time in an ever increasing number of industries in the United States. This plan of representation is worthy of serious consideration. It begins with the election of representatives in a single plant and is capable of indefinite development, to meet the complex needs of any industry, and of wide extension, so as to include all

In these days the selfish pursuit of personal ends at the expense of the group can and will no longer be tolerated. The reign of autocracy has passed. Men are rapidly coming to see that human life is of infinitely greater value than material wealth; that the health, happiness, and well-being of the individual, however humble, is not to be sacrificed to the selfish aggrandizement of the more fortunate or more powerful. Modern thought is placing less emphasis on material considerations. It is reco

Labor and Capital are rather abstract words with which to describe those vital forces which working together become productively useful to mankind. Reduced to their simplest terms, Labor and Capital are men with muscle and men with money—human beings, imbued with the same weaknesses and virtues, the same cravings and aspirations. It follows, therefore, that the relations of men engaged in industry are human relations. Men do not live merely to toil; they also live to play, to mingle with their f

Capital cannot move a wheel without Labor, nor Labor advance beyond a mere primitive existence without Capital. But with Labor and Capital as partners, wealth is created and ever greater productivity made possible. In the development of this partnership, the greatest social service is rendered by that man who so coöperates in the organization of industry as to afford to the largest number of men the greatest opportunity for self-development, and the enjoyment by every man of those benefits which

Most of the misunderstanding between men is due to a lack of knowledge of each other. When men get together and talk over their differences candidly, much of the ground for dispute vanishes. In the days when industry was on a small scale, the employer came into direct contact with his employees, and the personal sympathy and understanding which grew out of that contact made the rough places smooth. However, the use of steam and electricity, resulting in the development of large-scale industry wi

Assuming that Labor and Capital are partners, and that the fruits of industry are their joint product, to be divided fairly, there remains the question: What is a fair division? The answer is not simple—the division can never be absolutely just; and if it were just to-day, changed conditions would make it unjust to-morrow; but certain it is that the injustice of that division will always be greater in proportion as it is made in a spirit of selfishness and shortsightedness. Indeed, because of th

With reference to the situation which had unfortunately developed in Colorado, it became evident to those responsible for the management of one of the large coal companies there—the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, in which my father and I are interested—that matters could not be allowed to remain as they were. Any situation, no matter what its cause, out of which so much bitterness could grow, clearly required amelioration. It has always been the desire and purpose of the management of the Color

The industrial machinery which has been adopted by the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company and its employees is embodied in two written documents, which have been printed and placed in the hands of each employee. One of these documents is a trade agreement signed by the representatives of the men and the officers of the company, setting forth the conditions and terms under which the men agree to work until January 1, 1918, and thereafter, subject to revision upon ninety days’ notice by either side. T

Such in outline is this Industrial Constitution. Some have spoken of it as establishing a Republic of Labor. Certain it is that the plan gives every employee opportunity to voice his complaints and aspirations, and it neglects no occasion to bring the men and the managers together to talk over their common interests. Much unrest among employees is due to the nursing of real or fancied grievances arising out of the daily relations between the workmen and the petty boss. Such grievances should rec

Plan of Representation of Employees in the coal and iron mines of the colorado fuel and iron company of colorado and wyoming...

1. Annual meetings for election of employee’s representatives. Employees at each of the mining camps shall annually elect from among their number representatives to act on their behalf with respect to matters pertaining to their employment, working and living conditions, the adjustment of differences, and such other matters of mutual concern and interest as relations within the industry may determine. 2. Time, place and method of calling annual meetings, and persons entitled to be present and pa

1. District divisions. To facilitate the purposes herein set forth, the camps of the company shall be divided into five or more districts, as follows: the Trinidad District, comprising all mines and coke oven plants in Las Animas County; the Walsenburg District, comprising all mines in Huerfano County; the Cañon District, comprising all mines in Fremont County; the Western District, comprising all mines and coke oven plants located on the Western Slope; the Sunrise District, comprising the iron

1. Observance of laws, rides and regulations. There shall be on the part of the company and its employees, a strict observance of the Federal and State laws respecting mining and labor and of the company’s rules and regulations supplementing the same. 2. Posting of wages and rules. The scale of wages and the rules in regard to working conditions shall be posted in a conspicuous place at or near every mine. 3. No discrimination on account of membership or non-membership in labor or other organiza

1. Executive supervision. The president’s executive assistant, in addition to other duties, shall, on behalf of the president, supervise the administration of the company’s policies respecting social and industrial betterment. 2. Coöperation of president’s executive assistant with joint committees in carrying out policies of social and industrial betterment. In the discharge of his duties, the president’s executive assistant shall from time to time confer with the several Joint Committees, on In