10 JANUARY 1914, Page 2

remarkable illustration in the profit-sharing scheme of the Ford Motor

Company announced in Wednesday's and Thurs- day's papers. The company proposes to distribute two millions sterling among its employees, whose wages at present start at 10e. 6d. a day, from its earnings in 1914. Female employees will have their wages increased, but will not participate in the profit-sharing unless they can prove they are supporting a family. A curious feature of the scheme is the establishment of a "sociological department," with a view to eliminating as beneficiaries any who are found using the extra money in such a way as is considered improper for right living. The scheme has been welcomed with enthusiism by Mr. Carnegie and Mr. Redfield, the United States Secretary of Commerce, but the inquisitorial methods of the "socio- logical department" excite misgivings in many quarters, and it is thought that the generosity of an exceptionally pros- perous firm must cause unrest and dissatisfaction among the employees of other companies who cannot possible compete in the race of munificence.