| Richard Albert Feiss | |
| Birth Date: | 2 July 1878 |
| Birth Place: | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Education: | Harvard University (AB, LLB) |
| Employer: | Joseph & Feiss Co. |
| Occupation: | president and co-owner |
| Credits: | President Taylor Society, 1922–1924 |
Richard Albert Feiss (July 2, 1878 – June 4, 1954)[1] was an American lawyer, business manager, and president of Joseph & Feiss Co. in Cleveland, Ohio.[2] He is known as 6th president of the Taylor Society from 1922 to 1924.[3] [4]
Feiss was born and raised in Cleveland, son of Julius Feiss (1848–1931). He studied law at Harvard University, where he obtained his A.B. in 1901 and his L.L.B. in 1903.[5]
After his graduation Feiss had practiced law in New York for a year. In 1904 he returned to Cleveland to join the garment manufacturing company of his father, producer of men and boy's clothing. The company had just opened a new factory, which was "actively working to eliminate the evils of the "outside" shop system."[6]
In 1907 the company adopted the new name and trademark, Joseph & Feiss. Feiss adopted the new scientific management principles, and "set out to manage the company’s work force in a manner that would maximize productivity but at the same time create a humane work environment that would keep workers healthy and happy."[7]
Feiss joined "together Taylor’s principles of scientific management with Progressive era welfare capitalism, establishing a work environment at Joseph & Feiss that many at the time viewed as the most progressive in America."[7]
From 1922 to 1924 Feiss served as president of the Taylor Society as successor of Henry P. Kendall, and succeeded by Percy S. Brown in 1924.