Article April 15, 1944 Issue

Harmonious Industrial Relations

ROSE PRICE

Commenting on labor disputes, a factory supervisor once remarked, "There are always three sides to a question: yours, the other fellow's, and the right one." To this, Christian Science answers. There is really only one side to any question, the spiritually true. "The spiritual reality is the scientific fact in all things. The spiritual fact, repeated in the action of man and the whole universe is harmonious and is the ideal of Truth," writes Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, on page 207 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." And our need of alertness in proving the spiritually true is indicated on page 168 of the same book, where the author states. "Whatever influence you cast on the side of matter, you take away from Mind, which would otherwise outweigh all else."

It is heartening that many progressive industrial and business organizations are sincerely seeking a sound basis for peaceful industrial relations. Prejudice is slowly yielding to thoughtful inquiry. Earnest research is beginning to reveal that men need to control the machine in order to conquer the monotony, apathy, and fatigue that are believed to result from highly mechanized operations, which in turn result in discord and unrest. Intelligent leadership, where men follow from free choice those whose example they respect, is gradually being preferred to heavy discipline, coercion, force, or compulsion.

In many places elaborate departments, devoted to the skill of personnel management, are set up. Expert human knowledge is utilized to better morale and enlist greater co-operation. For a time these expedients bring results. But far too often, even under the most careful vigilance, such methods after a time lose their effectiveness. Why?

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"The beauty of holiness"