Scientific Management. 13 



quired to perform each of the operations of its saw crew. The 

 observ'er lays out the work. A bunch of timber being selected, a 

 number of trees are carefully measured. The diameter at the 

 butt where the first cut is to be made is measured, then the 

 diameter of the first, second and third logs estimated. The tree is 

 given a stump blaze and numbered with a crayon. When the time 

 units for the trees marked aggregate a certain figure, and this 

 added to a certain percentage allowed for rest and necessary de- 

 lays, makes a day's work, — the observer makes out his "task" 

 card. This card indicates that the saw crew must fell Tree Xo. 

 27 in, say, 10 minutes ; the butt log must be cut in 5 minutes ; 

 the second log in 5 minutes ; the third log in 4 minutes ; time for 

 trimming limbs 10 minutes ; total time 34 minutes. 



The foreman accompanies this crew for the first few days, 

 times each operation, indicates the rest periods, and thoroughly 

 demonstrates to this crew the possibilities of the system. The 

 advantage of separately timing each tree is that the observer and 

 the men then know whether or not they are keeping up to their 

 schedule. 



It is not possible to discuss in this brief article the further steps 

 required in introducing the system generally among the workmen. 

 All this is thoroughly discussed in Mr. Taylor's book on "Shop 

 Management," to which the reader is referred. It is sufficient 

 here to say that once it has been demonstrated that a saw crew, 

 by making little additional effort, can increase its wages from $3 

 per man to about $4, sentiment in favor of the system should grow 

 rapidly. It is not, of course, possible to time each saw crew and 

 inform it during the day whether it is keeping up to its schedule, 

 nor is such close inspection probably necessary. The main thing 

 necessary, it seems to me, is that definite cards of instructions be 

 given the crews each morning when they go to work, informing 

 them what trees they must cut and the time allowed for each tree. 

 It should be insisted that the work be done exactly in the order 

 indicated and in the time given. Rests may be taken whenever the 

 crew is ahead of its schedule, such rests being allowed for. 



The crews should be informed each day by means of card re- 

 ports whether or not they have performed their task of the second 

 day previous in a satisfactory manner, and are entitled to their 

 bonus, or whether they must be content with regular wages. 



