The clique spirit is met with in many other places besides the
school-room.
[Sidenote: Stocking Factory]
The manager of a stocking factory found one group of girls among his
operatives making the days and nights miserable for the others in his
employ. They made loud and unpleasant remarks about other girls in the
dressing-room, were rude at all times to those not of their group, and,
by intimidation, forced the foreman to give them the advantage when
there was one to be given.
Things finally came to such a pass that no girl whom the clique disliked
could be induced to work in the factory, so unpleasant did the clique
make it for her.
The manager studied the situation long and earnestly when he realized
how serious it was, and finally hit upon the scheme of providing a
gymnasium for his women operatives. He hired a trained social worker,
who was also a gymnasium teacher. She developed team work and the spirit
of good sportsmanship in the course of a year’s work in gymnastic
classes and athletics, but it was largely the influence of her own
personality and the soundness of her teaching and example that worked
the change.
The clique spirit vanished as the result of her efforts. The manager of
the factory had realized the loss he was suffering in the lessened
efficiency of his workers; this loss was remedied only after the company
had expended much money.