Cracking the whip

A Special Correspondent examines That is:

• Both hands and complete their same time.

• The two hands should not be idle at the same time except for rest periods.

• Movements of the hands should be in opposite directions and symmetrical.

• Rhythmic movements are essential to produce smooth performance.

• Materials should be delivered as close to the point of use as possible.

The report warns that to offset resistance to a new method from fear of a cut in earnings it is helpful if the previous level of earnings can guaranteed for a specific period' So in return for huge increases in output from the operatives, the employers 'guarantee' that wages won't be cut for a while.

Time-study-also called workmeasurement-is examined as a system for analysing existing times for operations and setting new 'standard performance' times for the work. The booklet claims: in the clothing industry It is generally accepted that for many operatives in the clothing industry the sum total of stitching time is only one-and-ahalf hours each working day, the rest of the time being spent in such work as handling of material, bundling and so on.' The report explains how operations are broken up into their component elements, each element being separately timed and rated. Rating is the method by which a worker is estimated to be at standard performance level. The booklet admits that 'this is largely subjective as it depends on the judgment of the workstudy officer' In other words, it is sheer guesswork.

As an example of how this is an operative might be timed as taking two minutes for a job, but in the opinion of the time-and-motion man, she is working at 10 per cent below normal rate. So according to him, the actual time for the operation should have been only 1.8 minutes.

Standard performance is said to be 'equivalent to a man walking over level , ground and unladen at a speed of four miles an hour'. • How a comparison is made between this and trouserstitching or any other operation in the industry is not described.

Each company using timestudy is expected to develop a table relaxation allowances to cover such items as 'personal needs, energy, output, posture, motions, visual fatigue, thermal and atmospheric conditions and other environmental factors.' MIXED REACTIONS have followed French writer Maurice Clavel walking out of a live showing on TV. He was taking part in a regular proPompidou showed aversion towards the Resistance. This reference was left out and prompted Clavel's hasty departure from the studio and from the screens of millions of French TV viewers.

The true Chinese God A FRIEND of the late Martin Luther King, Hosea L. Williams, of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, has just spent four weeks visiting China.

The Negro leader said on his return that he had not run across any racialism in China.

He told the Chinese: I love America and I want that clearly understood. I love America for two reasons. It's my home and I think it's one of God's most blessed nations.

Chinese reactions have not been recorded.

Williams said that he 'found in China more religion revealed No it's not Mao in the everyday life-style of the Chinese people than I find in the everyday life of my fellow Americans'.

He told the no doubt astonished Chinese that the education they gave their children was basically religious-and he did not mean worship of Mao.

Williams found a few faults in China, particularly, too much regimentation and not enough individual incentive.

He claimed that he returned a better Christian, more than ever convinced of the need for 'love and non-violence'.

In other words he intends to continue to prevent the growth of revolutionary feeling amongst black Americans.

Rail disaster THE LATEST attempt to put