GOVERNMENT
other n e w m a n . Such rapid shifting of supervisors tends t o develop a cautious, stand-pat attitude on t h e part of t h e temporary incumbent rather than t h e bold, daring attitude s o necessary for successful research a n d development. U n d e r the circumstances, technical people waste enormous amounts of time in training a n d becoming adjusted to n e w supervisors. They often feel progress is being made at a snail's pace. > High Turnover. Frustrations such as these play h o b with morale of t h e scientific staff. This i s reflected in t h e abnormally high rate of turnover of r e search and development people, some times estimated t o be over 507c during t h e past three years. T h e Reid group says: "The research a n d development group expressed the strongest feelings of all occupational groups against their status quo." Most w e r e dissatisfied with m a n a g e m e n t of research and felt t h a t ability and performance counted for little in advancement, t h e report adds. Also gnawing at civilian technical m e n is the lack of opportunity for per sonal and professional development through organization—sponsored train ing a n d training in outside institutions financed by Government. By contrast t h e military has a n outstanding program of officer training t h a t has paid off handsomely in results. An opinion sur vey b y the Reid group among key per sonnel shows that, while 7 3 % of t h e officers have received full time training at Department of Defense expense, only 16% of the civilians have received comparable training. • W r o n g End of Telescope? O n e of the most serious criticisms leveled b y the Reid g r o u p at t o p management is that it b e c o m e s so involved with t h e problems of local operations that t h e broader p r o g r a m appraisal is over looked. Result is that, instead of b e ing free t o plan and appraise results, top level personnel "resort t o a police function which results in detailed m a n agement controls at t h e local l e v e l / ' Basically, says t h e Reid report, this o p erating practice sterns from insufficient delegation of authority. Local m a n a g e m e n t is heavily b u r d e n e d with numerous, unnecessarily d e tailed controls established by higher echelons. T h e higher staff levels a r e quick to s a y t h a t these controls a r e merely guides b u t fail to a d d that even minor exceptions often require approval b y higher echelons, notes the Reid r e port. Best remedy according t o the Reid g r o u p is t o revamp t h e organization along business lines—decentralize a u thority a n d give more authority a n d responsibility t o field levels of m a n a g e 4810
C&EN
N O V . 7.
1955
man found that automation was wel comed as "progress" by all witnesses, including those w h o feared it would cause short-run hardships. Among t h e witnesses with this type of opinion was Vannevar Bush, president, Carnegie Institution of Washington. Bush says automation will bring long-run benefits but possible "distress and hardship for individuals" in t h e near future unless "wisdom and restraint" are used. • No Explosive Effects. Patman seemed generally reassured, however, that wisdom a n d restraint would b e used by industry for the most part. H e concluded that automation will spread through the economy gradually a n d without "explosive effects." Nor does Congress Likes Automation Patman foresee a n y widespread u n e m ployment because of automation's sudden impact. He also concludes that Industry is g e n e r a l l y a w a r e factory jobs will be safer a n d less m o of its responsibilities t o notonous. worker replaced b y automa Adding weight to these conclusions tion, Congressional group was the earlier testimony of Allen V . _Ας*-ίη ^î^p^j-Qj. .^ç |-Ke Nations.' 3iires.ii of Standards. Astin said h e believed this country's future economic health No N E W LEGISLATION or legislative and expansion depended on mechanizachianges a r e required to keep pace with t h e impact of automation on the n a tion of all kinds. Automation, to h i s tional economy, concludes Rep. Wright way of thinking, is just another facet P a t m a n (D.-Tex.). He m a d e this state to the broad area of mechanization m e n t as h e brought to a n end his sub upon which t h e present economy is Astin also pointed out t h a t committee of the Joint Economic Re based. many of the τχ:achines, such as compu port's hearings on automation (C&EN, ters, developed by NBS d o routine Oct. 3 1 , p a g e 4 6 4 8 ) . types of work. This repetitive work is Only major flaw h e found during of such magnitude that any organiza t w o weeks of testimony was that t h e railroad industry leaders h a d not "rec tion, were it to hire enough personnel to do t h e same job, would find it eco ognized their responsibility" t o retrain nomically impossible. Without compu a n d relocate workers laid off b y laborters, no one would be hired and t h e saving devices. Patman warned that "Congress will do something about i t " problem would never b e solved. With computers, jobs are made possible, t h e i n t h e future unless the industry takes problems a r e solved, a n d t h e technol action. ogy and economy progress. On the positive side, however, Patment for more efficient operation. • W h y Do α Better J o b ? T h e sub committee deplores the absence of t h e profit motive or an effective substitute for the industrial profit a n d loss state ment in Defense Department opera tions. Missing are group goals for cost reduction a n d performance improve ment which a r e continually reset t o provide fresh challenges. Managers have n o incentive to cut costs and im prove performance since these factors have little significance in recognition a n d promotion. Again a return to cur rent business practice is t h e solution suggested by t h e Reid group.
Potomac
Postscripts
• The
Hazard
Reactor
Staff
is
shifted to AEC's Civilian Application Division. Transfer will augment work of the Division in protecting t h e public from potential hazards in the growing private atomic energy in dustry. Staff formerly was under t h e General Manager's Office. • A
reduction
in r e d t a p e for
certificates of necessity is here as t h e Office of Defense Mobilization abolishes form O D M F - 1 , requiring Census Bureau reports.
be decreased b y a Food a n d Drug Administration advisory ruling. I t asks industry t o p u t warning state ments on label. • Changes in flammability limits for various fabrics are under study by the Federal Trade Commission. Revisions a r e concerned with plain fabrics and looped fabrics such a s "terry cloth." • Census of Business and ManufacLU-lCa OKJKJll W i l l
• Accidental poisoning of children b y overdoses of aspirin and other salicylate preparations is expected to
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