ABSTRACT
Many improvements in the plant and in working conditions which were begun by a few progressive employers in the early years of this period gathered momentum after the turn of the century. The literature does not throw much light on employer motivation with respect to these personnel activities. Undoubtedly, certain employers voluntarily sought to make the work environment more pleasant and to provide greater comfort to their employees. Many employers found that such activities not only made for more comfortable working conditions and more pleasant surroundings but improved employee morale, increased productivity, attracted better workmen to the plant, and, as a result, reduced production costs. That progressive employers did not always have a free hand in undertaking such activities but had to convince their stockholders that such improvement should be made is indicated by the testimony of an executive of the Weston Electrical Instrument Company at the National Civic Federation's Conference on Welfare Work in 1904.
