Part 16 (1/2)

Jimmy had given the matter of pay considerable thought, but the trouble was that he did not know what an efficiency expert might be expected to demand. He recalled vaguely that the one his father had employed got something like ten dollars a day, or one hundred a day, Jimmy couldn't remember which, and so he was afraid that he might ask too much and lose the opportunity, or too little and reveal that he had no knowledge of the value of such services.

”I would rather leave that to you,” he said. ”What do you think the work would be worth to you?”

”Do you expect to continue in this line of work?” asked Mr. Compton.

”When this job is finished you would want to go somewhere else, I suppose?”

Jimmy saw an opening and leaped for it. ”Oh, no!” he replied. ”On the contrary, I wouldn't mind working into a permanent position, and if you think there might be a possibility of that I would consider a reasonable salary arrangement rather than the usual contract rate for expert service.”

”It is very possible,” said Mr. Compton, ”that if you are the right man there would be a permanent place in the organization for you. With that idea in mind I should say that two hundred and fifty dollars a month might be a mutually fair arrangement to begin with.”

Two hundred and fifty dollars a month! Jimmy tried to look bored, but not too bored.

”Of course,” he said, ”with the idea that it may become a permanent, well-paying position I think I might be inclined to consider it--in fact, I am very favorably inclined toward it,” he added hastily as he thought he noted a sudden waning of interest in Compton's expression.

”But be sure yourself that I am the man you want. For instance, my methods--you should know something of them first.”

In Jimmy's pocket was a small book he had purchased at a second-hand bookshop the evening before, upon the cover of which appeared the t.i.tle ”How to Get More Out of Your Factory.” He had not had sufficient time to study it thoroughly, but had succeeded in memorizing several princ.i.p.al headings on the contents page.

”At first,” he explained, ”I won't seem to be accomplis.h.i.+ng much, as I always lay the foundation of my future work by studying my men. Some men have that within them which spurs them on; while some need artificial initiative--outside encouragement,” he quoted glibly from ”How to Get More Out of Your Factory.” ”Some men extend themselves under stern discipline; some respond only to a gentle rein. I study men--the men over me, under me, around me. I study them and learn how to get from each the most that is in him. At the same time I shall be looking for leaks and investigating timekeeping methods, wage-paying systems and planning on efficiency producers. Later I shall start reducing costs by studying machines, handling material economically and producing power at lowest cost; keeping the product moving, making environment count on the balance-sheet and protecting against accident and fire.” This was as far as Jimmy had memorized, and so he stopped.

”I think,” said Mr. Compton, ”that you have the right idea. Some of your points are not entirely clear to me, as there are many modern methods that I have not, I am sorry to say, investigated sufficiently.”

Jimmy did not think it necessary to explain that they were not clear to him either.

”And now,” said Compton, ”if you are satisfied with the salary, when can you start?”

Jimmy rose with a brisk and businesslike manner. ”I am free now,” he said, ”with the exception of a little personal business which I can doubtless finish up tomorrow--suppose I come Thursday?”

”Good,” exclaimed Compton, ”but before you go I want you to meet our a.s.sistant general manager, Mr. Bince.” And he led Jimmy toward Bince's office.

”This is Mr. Torrance, Harold,” said Mr. Compton as they entered. ”Mr.

Bince, Mr. Torrance. Mr. Torrance is going to help us systematize the plant. He will report directly to me and I know you will do everything in your power to help him. You can go to Mr. Bince for anything in the way of information you require, and Harold, when Mr. Torrance comes Thursday I wish you would introduce him to Everett and the various department heads and explain that they are to give him full cooperation.

And now, as I have an appointment, I shall have to ask you to excuse me.

I will see you Thursday. If there are any questions you want to ask, Mr.

Bince will be glad to give you any information you wish or care for.”

Jimmy had felt from the moment that he was introduced to Bince that the latter was antagonistic and now that the two were alone together he was not long left in doubt as to the correctness of his surmise. As soon as the door had closed behind Mr. Compton Bince wheeled toward Jimmy.

”I don't mind telling you, Mr. Torrance,” he said, ”that I consider the services of an expert absolutely unnecessary, but if Mr. Compton wishes to experiment I will interfere in no way and I shall help you all I can, but I sincerely hope that you, on your part, will refrain from interfering with my activities. As a matter of fact, you won't have to leave this office to get all the information you need, and if you will come to me I can make it easy for you to investigate the entire workings of the plant and save you a great deal of unnecessary personal labor. I suppose that you have had a great deal of experience along this line?”

Jimmy nodded affirmatively.

”Just how do you purpose proceeding?”

”Oh, well,” said Jimmy, ”each one of us really has a system of his own.

At first I won't seem to be accomplis.h.i.+ng much, as I always lay the foundation of my future work by studying my men. Some men have that within them which spurs them on; while some need artificial initiative--outside encouragement.” He hoped that the door to Compton's office was securely closed.