Pioneer

Output Control and The Minoworker. A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CONDITIONS AND TENDENCIES. NEW IDEALS THREATEN THE OLD CODS OF PRODUCTION. In a sceptical age one god retains its sway and never is forgotten or lacks admirers and devo- tees. Day after day its praise is sung and night does not end its worship. If it could speak it would say to us and our society: I am Out- put, thy master. Industry, thou shalt have no other gods but me and by continually increased I production shalt thou serve me. Considerations of life and comfort, of wise use or conservation of the natural wealth and the goods produced, and notions of waste and want and of culture and beauty, all these must be put on one side. In singleness of heart must ye bow the knee before me. For in my veins and in my body is contained the life-blood, the surplus value, with- out which capitalist society could not live." And in reply the individual and the national groups of capitalists jostling etch other in the fierceness of competition clinnt ceaselessly: "I believe in Output and without thee, Increased Production, I cannot live. More leading articles will I have written lauding thy beauty; more labour-saving devices will I put in thy worship more constantly will I extol thee to my work- people. For thou art worthy." But apparently even this god does not compel universal admiration in all sections of capitalist society. The colliery workers among others have lately been giving a smaller share of their value- creating energy to lay upon the altar. There-' fore, the high-priest of Output are wrothful and dismayed. Dark are their prophesies concern- ing the future and keen is their hate and ter- rible their doings against the Bolshevik heretics and their pernicious propaganda. Ivet us investigate the extent and causes of this, lessened tribute and examine the new ideals which threaten to undermine the sway of Out- put, The Mighty, in the temple of the Coal In- dustry. CONCRETE FICURES. At a meeting of the Powell Duffryn s hare- holders, June 1st, 1919, Mr. J. Shaw, K.C., claimed that private enterprise in 40 years (1873 —1913) had increased output in the United Kingdom by over 123 per cent., a.nd in South Wales by over 250 per cent. (The waste of this now openly condemned system, the what might ha.ve been he left unnoticed.) But since 1913 a decline has set in. Perhaps better than mass figures are the returns prepared by the Coal Controller which show along with, increasing ab- senteeism the decreasing individual output. Taking the two ends of this table (" Western Mail," 27/1/19) we see that, whereas in 1913 the average output per man employed was 18.6 tons for every four. weeks, in the four weeks ending April 26th, 1919, a record low output of 14.9 tons per person employed was reached. No won- der the medicine men are perturbed. So far many attempts have been made to ex- plain this decrease, and even our miners' leaders in their attempts have accepted without protest this output criterion of success always used by the masters. The spell of Output worship is probabJy to be blamed for this, and perhaps the natural desire to reap kudos as statesmen," too, plays a part. We grant and shall state some of the contributory causes to the decrease but we shall certainly endeavour to relate them to the main cause, i.e., the growing conviction that until the fruits of production are shared by their social producers, output is the concern of the masters and not ours as workers. Also that the problems of the future cannot be solved by thinking and talking in terms of national trade supremacy from cheap and increased production. In short, the victims of the god Output view it very differently from its high priests, to whom naturally it is the only thing that. matters. Re- versing the order, this god also is being made subordinate to the interests of man. MINOR CAUSES. Nothing is more necessary to mainta.in and increase output in the mines (as in every other working place) than a docile, regular body of workers. Yet every dispute, large or small, that is occurring every- day tends, to make this con- dition impossible. Paradoxically, needing peace, Capitalism inevitably produces struggle. Even its representatives see. or are beginning to see, that they are only tools for the boss, and are beginning" to organise. An immediate recent cause of decreased out- put is the tax on earned wages. I know this is only a pinprick compared to the general wrong against the working-class, but its' smart is ob- vious and felt. And many miners take care to make holiday in preference to handing over the proceeds of their exhaustion to the tax collector, u. is a way which is significantly not open to the receiver of unearned income. Another contributory factor is that many of the colliery workers have been out of the mines for long periods. Some have seen "wangling" in high places, some are disgruntled owing to their treatment by the authorities, and some are unfit owing to wounds or illness. A general atmosphere of expectation coupled with unrest at its slow realisation and reaction after strain exists. One finds this amongst men who have no deep coherent antagonism to things as they are. The discharged soldier, remembering that the bereaved and disabled in comparison with €312 millions paid annually to those who merely lent their cash and credit is hardly likely to be- come a tractable servant to those moneyed in- terests. The high cost of living prevents the majority from finding individual solace in the rake's progress by Joy Loan investments. Another plausible suggestion about which it is difficult to gather full proof is that the war -allotments—the gardening activity of the miner leaves him less energy to spend underground or causes him to lose work. Probably this effect would be more gradual than immediate1. Another

STRIKE BALLOT ROBERT SMILLIE (President of the Miners' Federation) says: j "Read THE DAILY HERALD" C. T. CRAMP (President of the National Union of Railwaymen) j says; "Read THE DAILY HERALD" • v ROBERT WILLIAMS (Secretary of the Transport Workers' Federation) says: "Read THE DAILY HERALD" Edited by GEORGE LANSBURY One Penny

The T heatre Royal Five scenes of excellent fun, rollicking choruses and dainty dancing goes to the com- pounding of After the Ball," the Anglo-French musical comedy that is playing at the Theatre Royal this week. It is fun, too, without that tang of regret that too often lingers on tha palate that has been momentarily pleased with these light and airy fragments of present-day entertainment. Just as a well-known distillery used to boast of the absence of a headache from a gallon of their liquor, so too Perfect Produc- tions might flatter themselves on the cleanness of their smart little play-a cleanness that has not been obtained at any sacrifice either artistic or humorous. And as usual it is probably correct to ascribe this fun without fu /iness, and spicy lightness without smuttiress to the strength of the ca.ste, for dainy Lola de Liane, the very Yankee Sonia Seal, and the chic Rosie Harris and Dulcie Leon are strong enough to dispense with doubtful aids to popularity; while Dan Clarke, Eric Dudley and Spider Jack .son have enough natural go and fun in their make up to ebulate for considerably more than two hours without tarnish. De Yere and Welbo, who have leen entrusted with the Epecialitlv dancerg, the lightness of corks, the grace of grecian sta- tuary. and the rhythm of perfectly unified motion. For next week laughter is again to grasp the sceptre at Mr. Stephens cosy house. This time it is That's the Thing," an enigmatic title that is only partially etucida-ted by the sub-titc of "Or 'Orace 'Oppitt," but which despite, or because of, its mystery rlame did good business at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London. But, after all, as someone once remarked, the play— "that's the thing" that matters; and if a melange-musical-comedy-revue can be strictly called a play and nothing more, it will matter very much next week, with Jack Marks playing 'Oppit," and Maisie O'Connor as "Betty Fair- fax," aided by a caste Lhat scintillates and a. Hemitv c horus that does not buv its charms from the chemists. PLAYGOER.

Auckland Gedde-s pointing out that the sudden increase in coal prices would he very hard on manufacturers, who had accepted orders while the old price held, and suggesting that if the in- crease could not be postponed, at any rate manu- facturers who had accepted orders at the lower price should be allowed three months' grace for fulfilling them. Hence Bonar Law, having the lead from his masters, comes down to the House with his "statesmanlike offer" to the miners. This is how polities are worked under the Coali- tion END OF A BLACKLEG. The Unionist Labour Party has closed down. I This decision," it states, is a painful One for the members of the Executive, many of whom 1 over a long period of years have made self- sacrificing <?o?s in order to promote ideals which are dear to patriotic workup men, only to find the results of their labour reaped by those who, in some instances, were formerly bit- ter opponents of the objects of the Unionist La- bour Party." Honour to whom honour is due. The Labour Party did not expect to find the Unionist Labour Party assisting to organise for it, but is none the less grateful for the service. recent factor in this complex situation is all the war-time experiments made in feeding coupled with its restricted quantity. BICCER CAUSES. However let us pass from these particular causes to more general ones. Partly owing to a genuine shortage and to vested interests and to mismanagement, the timber, the machinery, trams and other things needed have been un- available. Many collieries have been on short time owing to lack of trucks. Under State control different companies have adopted different policies. Some have ceased to open out any new work and thus will now have to employ men without making any increase in the output for some while. Such companies must have been satisfied with the control prices and uncertain regarding the future. Other com- panies, wanting to make State control a failure, have been leaving the better class seams unde- veloped and doing much dead work and en- larging its constant capital in the hope of earn- ing larger dividends when excess profits are un- taxed or getting a higher.,price if they have to be bought out. Naturally the "Bossevists" prefer to drop the 6/- bomb of higher coal prices than investigate further the lack of economy iind these discrepancies. Hie "slacking" in the industry is the chief reason given by Auckland Geddes for the decline in output. Do not hastily conclude, gentle reader, this refers to the Duke of Northumber- land, who slacks" in the mining industry on mining royalties alone to the tune of L3 an hour night and day, year in and year out; or to the incorrigible absentee shareholders, who re- ceived in 1915-1918 tl62 millions, and whose profits stand now guaranteed at ;C14,000000 yearly. Believe me that, according to col l ege professors, these pillars of society are occupied in abstinence so that industry may continue. Xo, it is the colliery worker who is indicted so impudently. Even capitalist thinkers like Ellis Barker re- cognise now that lack of incentive made chattel slavery impossible. Our present system of society is bewailing its own consequences when it com- plains the workers are refusing to believe in the divine" right of capital to appropriate the surplus result of social labour. Facts and ex- perience are the greatest agitators. And the workers' growing conviction of exploitation affects every industry. REMEDIES. I believe it was Mr. Vernon Hartshorn who a short while ago when dealing with this subject advised the masters to revive incentive by re- vising the piecework rates. While this, from the master's viewpoint; is good advice, it is con- trary to the, Conference decisions concerning piecework and it is doubtful whether the mas- ters would ever be sufficiently generous enough in any revision to overthrow the growing opposi- tion to this method of payment. (See, for ex- ample, the struggle over the 14.3 per cent.) If we believed the Western Mail," this is due to the pernicious propaganda" of The Miners' Next Step." On the contrary, while this pamph- let gives voice to intelligent anticipation as to the increasing bitterness of the unavoidable in- dustrial warfare, it is probably unknown to 75 per cent. of the working miners. Piecework lists are badly out of date under the present altered conditions. The difference between the minimum wage and the piecework earnings is hot so great as to repay the intensity of the work. Old customs have been nibbled away and rate-cutting has followed any high wages. These facts of experience are the opponents of piece- work and propaganda only calls a more con- scious attention to their existence. Men see that, while, under piecework the stronger indi- vidual gets a greater individual wage, the mass wage of the men compared with the product is very much smaller. Especially among the younger elements is growing a demand for a higher standard of life and a refusal to become old men as soon as their fathers, or to endanger themselves by the greater risks attached to piecework. The once praised "scrabbler" is now thought to be stronger is the back than in the head. Other opposing tendencies to piece- work are that no huge national movement can centre round the complexities of a small local piecework rate. In fact, the recent increases, irrespective of locality and grade and based upon the cost of living, are going in the direction of equality of income to all who perform social ser- vice. ATTEMPTED UNITY. Not all employers are as keen in foresight as Leverhtllme with his shortened hours, bonuses and co-partnership schemes to recover the lost incentive. In the race between these ameliora- tions a.nd the desire and agitation for workers' control, the latter will be the winner. Despite the adaptability of individual capitalists and their concessions, despite all the pleas for unity between Ca.pital and Labour scattered so broad- cast, collision between those who desire divi- dends and those who will to live WeNr is a cer- tainty. The cry Don't rock the boat" is be- side the mark, for whilst worse than useless pas- sengers are aboard friction is hound to ensue; friction which will only cease when all are help- ing to do the necessary social work. NATIONALISATION. Revision of piecework rates, sohemes of joint committees and co-partnership are not the only remedies advanced for the decrease in output. It is claimed that nationalisation will effect large economies in producing and transporting coal. Even Justice Sankey has found that, the present system of ownership and working in the coal industry stands condemned." His report, which has aroused so much ire among the "di- rect actionists" of vested interests, tamely re- commends (1) Coal Control to continue for three years with National District and Local Mining Councils (containing miners' representatives) to assist administration; (2) At end of three years the State to acquire mines and buy out royalties at a fair value. Apparently the Sankey proposals will be turn- ed down by the Government and the miners will have to champion the good that is in them. We cannot be too careful in thinking out our line of conduct in regard to them. Why should the coalowners so fiercely oppose the Sankey proposals, which certainly cannot be denounced as confiscatory or revolutionary? Have they good eause to be alarmed or are they merely shortsighted? Perhaps they recognise that even State con- trol has its dangers as well as blessings. One section of capitalists under control is held in check by the interests of other sections, though generally both combine to blame the worker for tactical purposes. Again, under control, tho parasitic nature of the shareholder is more than ever clearly revealed. For example, in 1918 the railway shareholders only performed for society the painful and exhausting duty of receiving £ 46 millions. (See Eric Geddes' speech, House of Commons, 10/7/19.) Probably they regard it as the thin end of the wedge and they are mindful of the possibility of a Labour Government who would not be so kind in compensating them as the Coalition would be now. One thinks of the De Leon illustration of how a tiger is infuriated just as much by a pull at its whiskers as by a murderous attack with a hatchet or a rifle. Has not the Arch- Bolshevik Lenin also warmly praise d State Capi- talisin ? In The Chief Task of Our Times," page 11, he says: if we were able to bring about in Russia in a short time State Capitalism it would be a victory for us. State Capi- talism under Kerenski's democratic regime would mean a step towards Socialism, and under the Soviet Government almost complete Social- ism." Even if our masters have never read these praises they are worthy of consideration by those of us who are inclined sometimes to think Na- tionalisation not worth fighting for. Certainly we are right in looking a gift horse in the mouth, but it is all to the good if the present incompe- tence, muddle and Inefficiency of the coal-indus- try can be removed. The Fabians deserve praise for their services in this direction. However, it is extremely unlikely that the coal industry will be a second Post Office (which made profits in the year ending March, 1919, after giving extra services and making big allowances for depre- ciation and for interest on sinking fund. of -t 13,600, 000.) Ideas of,, and demands for. workers' control and the rights of producers will prevent that. Our great task is to make Nationalisation the occasion of a demand for workers' control—how much we shall get depends upon our readiness. That the vital consequent problems of adminis- tration are being tackled is proved among other things by a pamphlet Industrial Democracy an the Mining Industry to be issued at the end of this month, which its authors—practical mine- workers-hope will be a successful sequel to The Miners' Next Step.5, Whole control by the mineworkers of the mining industry in con- junction with other sections of a community of producers is the goa.1. From a perusal of the typescript, I recommend this pamphlet to the attention of mineworkers especially as a well thought-out scheme of administration. ADVANTAGES OF CONTROL. I Workers' control a.lone will remove the numb- J ing suspicion, the innumerable delays, and the industrial warfare now hampering production. It will introduce untold economies in working as every practical worker knows are possible. In a thousand and one ways the industrial machine can be greased. Waste of small coal and of raw materials and every kind of delay will be pre- vented by the workers themselves because they will then have a direct interest in effecting the largest amount of work with the smallest out- lay of energy and material. Quality as well as quantity will receive attention from the social sense of responsibility to the community. The highest possible incentives will be felt by all grades of mental and manual workers. U ll- like now under workers' control there will be developed a zeal in work and au increased acti- vity without the very costly, ineffective and difficult supervision and driving of foremen. The more thoughtful and serious section of the ac- tual workers—wielding a direct influence in the very working-places—will then be able to truth- fully refer to a social unity, to the need s of their fellow producers for coal needing perhaps an in- creased output. Our transitory troubles will arise from the frame of mind left behind by capitalist control which will have to be replaced by a true civic sense of duty. v A fotm of taskwork could then be adopted by the workers themselves free from the old objec- tions to piecework. Self-determination of the conditions of their working life, limited only by natural difficulties, would mean the immense change from being wage-slaves to human beings. Output/then, is intimately connected with the present lack of incentive and the question of con- trol, and that. again with the present and pos- sible purpose of industry. Probably output may yet decrease, and in the struggles of transition a lower standard of life, a temporary loss of cul- ture, may be forced upon us. However, let us not be misled from the main issue, nor be di- verted from the great task of fitting ourselves to take and to hold the mine's as a lead to other sections of our fellow workers. Only lack of confidence, difficulties of mass action and craft divisions prevent us from seeing that we have the capability and the right to control. The young eagle, though c hained, feels that it can fly. Let the critical times ahead find us prepared to go ahead into a new world, removing our wea.k- nesses, learning from our errors and confident of success. M.S.