When it was established, more than a generation ago, the owner was a man who knew every one of his employees by name, was especially considerate of the women operatives, and was loved and respected by every one.

Hours of labor were long, but the work was done in a leisurely fashion, and wages were good enough to compensate for the long day's labor.
The original owner died, and in time the new firm changed to a corporation.

The manager knew only his office force and possibly a few floor superintendents and foremen.

The rest of the force were "hands." The whole state of the industry was altered.

New and complicated machinery was introduced.