can do no more than to curtail production and greatly add to its cost. As the precision limits are widened production is increased in much greater proportion.

"The colossal rate at which ammunition is being fired away on the European battle-fronts bespeaks the great emphasis which is being placed on capacity at the expense of efficiency. That is, were the rate of firing reduced, the percentage of telling blows, as compared with the total number of shots, would be increased greatly but the absolute number of such blows would be reduced. Efficiency is given up for the sake of capacity, and we recognize, of course, that this must be so. The example of the battle-front must be taken to the workshop. Limits of accuracy in manufacture must be no narrower for a product than is warranted by the performance desired for it in the field."

Manufacture of Munitions

One of the most interesting features of the convention was a paper by Mr. George F. Steedman, of the Curtis & Co. Mfg. Co., St. Louis, showing the manufacture of English Howitzer shells. The paper was illustrated by stereopticon views and indicated wonderful efficiency in the manufacture of shells, the losses having been reduced to a point where they were almost negligible. As an encouragement to other manufacturers to take up the same work, Mr. Steedman explained that prior to their undertaking the shell contract, they had had no experience in the making of forgings, nor did they find it necessary to employ any forging experts. The success had been accomplished by a thorough study of the problem and a reorganization of their own forces. He extended an invitation to every manufacturer considering such contracts to visit their plant and secure the benefits of their experience.

National Industrial Conference Board

William H. Barr, President of the National Founders' Association, outlined the purpose and scope of the National Industrial Conference Board. In part Mr. Barr said:

"The National Industrial Conference Board is a co-operative body composed of representatives of national industrial asso

ciations, organized to provide a clearing house of information, a forum for constructive discussion, and machinery for cooperative action on matters that vitally affect the industrial development of the country.

"The Board is not a new association in the ordinary sense, but, as the title implies, it is a connecting link between various national associations for comprehensive study of common problems, for broad-gaged discussion of such problems with due regard to the interests of the various industries and, when so decided, for united action in securing the elements essential for industrial prosperity.

"As a practical means of carrying these policies into effect, sixteen national industrial associations constitute the National Industrial Conference Board, on which each association is represented by two members.

"These associations comprise over 15,000 employers who normally furnish industrial employment to over 6,000,000 workers in the United States. It is planned to bring other associations of similar character into the co-operative work until the National Industrial Conference Board will fully represent progressive industrial employers throughout the country.

"It would be important for this country if mutual understanding and confidence could supplant misunderstanding. This can only be accomplished by a study of the whole industrial problem. The manufacturing industry bears a very important relation to the progress and prosperity of the country, and it is the purpose of the new Conference Board to consider all the problems which confront the manufacturing industry by first establishing a thorough knowledge of all the essential elements involved.

"We feel that the objects of the Board, when carried into effect, will benefit the nation by advancing its industrial prosperity and prestige, and will also benefit individual industries by studying and pointing out the underlying principles of relationship of employer to employee and of both to the government, in order to find equitable solutions for many pressing fundamental industrial problems.

"The Board will seek to promote intelligent public opinion, sound and equitable legislation, and sympathetic governmental attitude toward industry and the conduct of business; it will also endeavor to develop the fair-minded spirit of employers toward their employees and the Government, based on a thorough knowledge of the employment relation and an awakened consciousness of the modern employer's social obligations.

"It is the intention of the Board to enter upon an extensive study of the problem of immigration and the Americanization of foreigners. The importance of this question is becoming especially great on account of the international situation. What will be the probable consequences of the great war in reference to our ability to secure adequate labor, and particularly unskilled labor, after the termination of the war, and how can we best prepare to meet any one of the probable consequences?

"The relationship of industry to the government, the development of practical means for avoiding frequently recurring strikes in industry and in public service, and many other questions of like importance require most serious consideration."

The Banker's Co-operation with Industry

Mr. F. C. Schwedtman, of the National City Bank of New York, explained in detail the operation of the industrial service department of that institution. Mr. Schwedtman said in part:

"Banks are gradually forsaking their aloofness from the industrialist's problem. They realize that they have encouraged at least passively stagnant and backward conditions by not co-operating constructively. The answer of the National City Bank is the establishment of an industrial service department to promote intelligent co-operation between its officers and banking facilities and the industrial interests of the country. "The department might, on request, examine establishments of customers and analyze and report, with more or less detail, on their organization, methods and equipment, under such headings as financing, engineering and factory planning, pur(Continued on page 194.)

COMMENT

Patriotism was the keynote of the National Metal Trades. Convention. President Van Dervoort's report, every speaker, every discussion dwelt upon the necessity of subverting all private interests to the public welfare, of loyalty to our country first. Mr. George F. Steedman's offer is a good example.

"It is hoped," he said, "that if there are any good points in our methods of forging they may be made free use of by other firms who may be called upon to do work for our own Munitions Board or for the Allies. The Company offers the free use of the patent and their full assistance in using the process for making shell forgings for the United States Government or Great Britian and her Allies. The pictures are shown in the sincere hope that the members of the Association will not hesitate to undertake to manufacture whatever kind of war supplies may be required by our Munitions Board. Any information Curtis & Company can give regarding forging processes will be most cheerfully given to any firm who wishes to make shell forgings for the United States or Allies."

Contrast this willingness on the part of the manufacturers to serve their country with the attitude of Mr. Gompers. In the April issue of the American Federationist he declares:

"Service in government factories and private establishments, in transportation agencies, all should conform to trade union standards. It (the government) must recognize and deal with the organized labor movement in all matters which concern labor." Representing only two million of the country's workers, he sees, through the emergencies created by the war, only an opportunity to compel the manufacturers, the transportation agencies, and the thirty odd millions of independent workers to "conform to trade union standards". These same "trade union standards," according to General Crozier, in his last report, require an average of 2.2 times as long to make each job in the Watertown Arsenal as it did before the government saw fit to introduce them.

When a union officer or a union member is arrested for murder, or slugging, or any of the usual violence in connection with union disputes, public sympathy is immediately sought for, with the claim that "labor is being persecuted by its enemies." Huge funds are raised for the defense on this principle. The McNamara cases, of course, are the most notable examples.

In the February number of THE REVIEW We published a story of the murder of Joseph Bader, of Detroit, a non-union worker.

Nelson Trombley, the business agent of the carpenter's union, was arrested for the crime. The Detroit Federation of Labor charged the police and the prosecutor's office with preferring "trumped up charges." The union counsel declared there was not "one scintilla of evidence" against Trombley. Yet, on April 25th, Trombley repudiated all the union statements by pleading guilty to the charge of man-slaughter.

Another Chicago union graft trust is on the point of being dissolved. The State's Attorney's office announces that it has questioned 85 proprietors of moving picture houses and a hundred other witnesses in connection with the city-wide dynamiting of moving picture theatres and apartment buildings. It is alleged that a ring of unions have extorted at least $500,000 from theatre owners. The evidence will be all laid before the grand jury, and it is expected that indictments will be returned against several labor union officials.

Cleveland contractors declare that union business agents in the building trades have endeavored to compel them to pay a rake-off of 1% on each contract. "We have not reached the 1% stage yet," says one of the contractors, "but our inquiries indicate that within the last twelve months $75,000 has been paid out to a few union officials." John G. Owens, Secretary of the Cleveland Federation of Labor and Charles Smith, Business Agent of the Building Trades Council have already been indicted, charged with blackmail, by the Cuyahoga County grand jury which is investigating the matter.