Farmington, N.M. April 30th, 1911.
Editor American Magazine:
I am deeply interested in Frederick W. Taylor's artcles on scientific management. Only, it seems strange to me that so able a man should see but one side of the subject, or, at least he presents but one side of the question. He clearly shows that the difference in returns to employer and wage worker would be greatly augmented, and does not consider the significant results of such a situation. The business men's profits would be greatly increased by his system no doubt; his employes would each be more efficient and productive, therefore he would need fewer of them; these few would wear out faster, and the masses of the people would be out of employment. What kind of nation would ours be, composed of a few inordinately rich men, a number of scientifically efficient workers putting in every amount of their time at highly productive labor, and throngs of forcibly idle men with nothing? Is the condition of humanity nothing, beside the gains of capital?
Then of course, if this system prevails, the speeding will go on all over the world. A few wealthy men, a number of overworked men and masses of idle, penniless men cannot buy up the immense output of products. Where will the market be found? I should like an answer to these questions.
Yours respectfully,
L. M. Holmes
