Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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r ^PnE| ppp^^ * ^SQ^^F * / A good weaver watches her productivity towards her production. _1 M. U rroaucTivii Almost every time we pitk up a newspaper or magazine, or listen to a news broadcast, we run into a story about productivity. Economists, politicians, business managers and many other Americans are concerned more than ever before with ways to increase our nation's productivity. Productivity certainlv affect*; nur Iu/pq But how? What is productivity? What does it mean to the ordinary American trying to make a living? First we must understand what productivity is and how it is measured. Productivity is simply a measure of how many goods and services a nation produces. Productivity compares the amount of effort that goes into making products (labor, raw materials and machinery for example) with the amount actually produced. Someone remarked the other day that it doe Another person was overheard to say, "I just c year." Other remarks include, "Christmas isn't like i Consider, too, that some folks would have us I Ever caught yourself thinking such thoughts Probably, if you're human. The mind, you see ordinary and Christmas is definitely not an ord The psychology of Christmas, then, lies with CHRISTMAS HASN'T CHANGED. It is wh Some of us try to hold onto childhood memories excitement of the past. Perhaps we don't stop to think that we ment build them up and our memories are better th u-espne sucn reelings, ^nrisimas nas a way o around, we're caught up in the excitement. Call it the magic of Christmas, it you will. It Christmas comes, whether we are ready or nc Christians in over half the countries of the world that it has spanned nearly 2,000 years of hist It is the happiest and busiest time of the yea family parties, exchangmggifts. and a feeling of a solemn holiday that would not be complete \ in i Mt uniitu slatfcs, cities, towns and decorations. Shoppers fill the streets, carryini co-workers. Stores decorate their windows and lights and Christmas trees. Churches hold special services and schools an often coming great distances at great expense. I exchanged and elaborate meals prepared. Reverence and a feeling of love and peace on i X f * 7 ' a i HE#** 7^ v . Diane Hellams has a positive attitude ty-How Doc America has always taken pride in being the world leader in productivity, and rightfully so. The reason we have more convenience in our lives (cars, homes, refrigerators, hospitals) is because of our productivity. In our first two centuries as a nation our abundant natural resources and the skills of our people have given us the world's best stan11... u<aiu ui living. In 1970 the average employee in America could buy a new car for 23 weeks of work. In 1980 the average American had to work 26 weeks to buy a similar model. A woman's dress could be purchased for 3 hours of labor in 1970. In 1980 it took 4 3/? hours of work to buy a dress of similar quality. While earnings grew larger in the period from 1970 to 1980, we have found out that the money buys less. ine Magic o isn't seem much like Christmas. an't seem to get into the Christmas spirit this t used to be. It has become too commercial." :hink that Christmas is only for children. 7 !. must be conditioned to anything out of the linary event. It is extraordinary, i the individual. It is what we make it. at it has always been. It is we who change, and we find that the present doesn't hold the ally enhance events of the past. We tend to an the events remembered i ^Hanging uui muugnib. oy ine ume u rous is a power beyond explanation. )t. And, it comes for hundreds of millions of . It is a gigantic celebration, so monumental ory and is still growing, ir in most lands of the world. It is a time for closeness among friends and loved ones. It is without religious ceremonies and prayer. villages sparkle with bright lights and gay g packages for their families, friends, and people decorate their homes and lawns with d industry close their doors. Families gather, 3lays are given and carols are sung. Gifts are earth add to the holy meaning of the holiday. Elizabeth Nelson, No. 2 Spinning, r her job. is It Affect Although productivity has grown slightly in the last year or so, productivity growth was zero in the U.S. from 1977 through 1980. In that same time, other nations were increasing their growth rates. At present rates of increase, France and West Germany could exceed the U.S. in productivity per person by 1986. Japan could pass us by 1987 and Canada could be ahead of us by 1990. In other words, America might not be the world's productivity leader four years from now. What can we do? We certainly can't rest on our accomplish meru5. wnne omer inaustries are tailing behind. the textile industry has been getting more productive in recent years. People are gaining more skills and companies like Clinton Mills are staying abreast with the installation of the latest equipment. At Clinton, many people are directly conf Christmas Fvpn thP tratfir i^mt anH rrrwucioti clnroc at atmosphere that is Christmas. It is obvious that no other event has such world. Of course, we know how Christmas is cele nations observe it? IN GREAT BRITAIN, children hang their i Christmas will fill them with treats. The Britisl this day. most families give money to the m them throughout the year. IN FRANCE, children put their shoes on thi or the Christ Child, can fill them with gifts. IN GERMANY, young people visit nine four on Christmas Even. They take three sips of wa do thl?; thpv will find their future hiichanH / IN ITALY, people fast, or go with little or no the day, the to.nily holds a ceremony around with tiny figures of the Holy Family, shephe IN SWEDEN, celebration of the Christmas Swedish children believe that elves called Jul children thank the elves by leaving food on IN NORWAY, the yuletide season starts or bake cakes especially for St. Thomas on Ch AND, SO IT GOES. Each country celebra traditions but the message is the same: Peace on earth, gc Whether we're ready o And it comes be 9 huhr ^ jT^^f*^* ' i A 3 m 1L. ' M ealizes the importance of productivity on Your Life? cerned with productivity. The Technical Ser vices Department and the Manufacturing start are always striving for ways to increase productivity and quality. Productivity has given us cars instead of horses, washing machines instead of scrub boards, television instead of Vaudeville, tractors instead of mules. We all think about the "good old days." but how many of today's conveniences would we be willing to give up? Let's all be conscious of the fact that every wastepart of our input to our product, whether raw materials, machine parts, electricity orjabor. is a drain on our productivity. The positive attitude of all employees is the main ingredient to success. Let's do our share to make each Clinton plant number one in productivity. frS ^ the height of the shopping season add to the impact on the individual, the nation, and the ibrated in the United States but how do other stockings by the fireplace, hoping that Father T rail the rtav after Phrictmac "Rn?mn Hon " r\n . ??..v> w-; mi?vi vnii^miig ww/mmg uajr. ul i ilkman, postman, and others who have served 5 doorstep on Christmas Eve so that Petit Noel, itains on their way to midnight church services ter from each fountain. Legend says that if they Dr wife waiting at the church door, food, on the day before Christmas. At the end of the Presepio, a miniature scene of Bethlehem rds, and wise men season begins on Lucia's Dav. December 13 il Nisse help them with many holiday tasks. The the table for them at night. 1 St. Thomas' Day. December 21 Norwegians ristmas Eve. tes in its own way, with its own customs and >od will toward men. r not. Christmas comes, icause we need it.