DEPARTMENT OP COMMERCE

Division of Simplified practice

Washington

MONTHLY NEWS BULLETIN July 15, 1525 No. 4.

GUIDING THE FUTURE EXECUTIVE

Interest which is being shown by educational institutions, engaged

in training the coming business executives, in simplified practice as a fundemental in modern management, is of the utmost significance, and betokens

the turning over of a new leaf in the books of many business plants of the

country.

The country is suffering now, and has been for years, from the

fact that too large a proportion of its business executives had to learn by

bitter experience the proportionate value of matters about which the modern

student has a wealth of information at hand. Some of the old-time exec- utives haven't been able even yet to overcome the influence of heritage in

matters such as the overdiversity of their products, or in their attitude toward their competitors.

The Department of Commerce, under Secretary Hoover, has become a veritable laboratory for the test of business and industrial methods. And

it is a sign of a great educational awakening that more than 50 schools of

business administration and related subjects in the colleges and universities

of the country are delving into the findings of the various tests, particularity of Simplified Practice.

Some of these universities and colleges include St. Louis University

at St. Louis, Mo., Clark University at Worcester, Mass., Emory University at

Emory, Ga. , Harvard University School of Easiness Administration at Cambridge,

Mass. , Washington University at St. Louis, Mo. , the Univeristies of Kansas,

Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, Maryland, Purdue University at Lafayette, Ind. , Mercer University at Macon, Ga. and others.

The agricultural colleges connected with Cornell University the

Universities of Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, South Dakota, Illinois, Ohio State,

Missouri, California, Maine, New Hampshire and other places are likewise taking

a deep interest in the work.

Perhaps the old adage about not being able to "teach an old dog

new tricks" is true. But, it is certain that the students of today are

going to faco the world with fa.cts in hand which will make them valuable

aides in coping with the complexities that have entered business and commerce

in recent years.

*****

If there is one place where uniformity is essential for the protection of life and property, it is in the coupling screw thread for fire hose.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the National Board of Firo Underwriters, American Waterworks Association, National Eire Protection Association

and Chamber Commerce of the United Sta.tcs have worked for a number of years.
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and tliror.gh the American Engineering Standards Committee have issued standards for manufacture and inspection for thread dimensions.

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President William Green of the American Fedora/tion of Labor has

placed that organization on record in a letter to the Division ••as being in

favor of the principles of Simplified Practice. The worker is keenly interested in cooperating in matters which have a direct bearing on his living

costs, and it is recognized that Simplified practice is of direct effect in

this direction.

* * * *

E. M. Hudson, Chief of the Division, recently addressed the students

and faculty of the School of Commerce and Finance at St. Louis University on Simplified Fractice as a means of eliminating industrial waste.

* * * *

Simplification of hotel china,ware has brought a price reduction of

approximately 15 0/0 from at lee.st one pottery which adopted the "recognised

sizes" under Simplified Practice, and is making these sizes in four "open

stock patterns". Both user and producer benefit.

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Manufacturers of sanitary ware have begun the consideration of

simplification of grades and dimensions for their products, the first meeting

being held on July 8th. This stop is intended to bo a further protection

to the consnmer as well as to the distributor and the plnmbing industry.

* * * *

American Lumber Standards, representing a tremendous simplification

of variety of soft wood yard lumber items, have been in effect a year. Reports to the Central Committee on Lumber Standards , c’cy-crinp the first year

indicate that sub-standard lumber is falling off in demand. Surveys made

in November 1924 indicated that thinner than standard lumber was 32 0/0 of the

total. The survey completed July 1, indicated that this grade was but 11 0 / 0 . This shows that standard and extra standard lumber is coming into its own. The survey also showed that standard or extra st ndard lumber is permissible

under 91 0/0 of building codes on which reports were received.

* * * *

Manufacturers, shipper associations and others using box board will

moot in Few York on July 29th in the Hotel Commodore to act on Simplified

Practice Recommcnda.tions reducing the thicknesses of box board for cont minors and establishing color standards. The program has already been en- dorsed by a number of shipper organizations.

. * * * *

Recent surveys by members of the Division of the adherence by the

clay brick industry to the Simplified Practice Recommendations show that there

is little deviation from the "recognized sizes. "

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P roxiosals for the ralwction of existing capacities for ten items

of aluminum ware, including coffee pots, colanders, roasters and other items,

"by about 50 per cent, have been developed by a simplification committee of

the industry, headed by C. R. Jamison of the Enterprise Aluminum Company,

Massilon, Ohio, The Tentative Plan is being considered by the entire man- ufacturing group before Simplified Practice Recommendations are ready for

submission to distributors and users,

* * * *

While the Division is cooperating with some 35^ industrial groups,

word comes from individual concerns who are simplifying their lines "on their

own". One of these, a manufacturer of anti-skid tire chains, has reduced

from 50 to 20 sizes. His jobbers can carry a full line with lower investment and quicker turnover and the consumers will get better quality and ser- vice, too.

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The Rational Supply and Machinery Distributors' Association, whose

president, B. H. Ackles, was recently added to the Advisory Committee of the

Division of Simplified practice, has begun a survey by its members of the

lines they handle, the variety and demand for the different classes of goods.

These surveys will indicate what, in the opinion of the distributors, offers

the greatest opportunity for further simplification activities.

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Seven Simplified Practice Recommendations in official pamphlet form

have been received by the Division recently. They include: Ho. 2d, Eaves

' trough, Ho. 23 Plow Bolrs; Ho 25, Hot Water Storage Tanks; Ho 28 Sheet Steel

Ho. 30 Terne Plate; Ho. 3^, Concrete Building Units; Ho. 33? Restaurant and

Cafeteria Chinaware. These and previous official publications are described

in a price list which may be obtained by writing to the Division. Other

material may be obtained, describing the Division and its procedure and

services, without cost, on request.

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Simplified Practice is one of the subjects being considered as one

of the important parts of the program of the Rational Association of Master

Plumbers at its convention in Portland, Ore. Pour Simplified Practice

Recommendations,- Structural Slate, Brass Lavatory and Sink Traps- Range

Boilers, and Hot Water Storage Tanks, - have brought themaster plumbers savings in time, money and labor.

* * * *

The West Coast is "stopping out". Tho California Manufacturers

Association, with 1,000 members, and the California Pruit Growers 1 Exchange,

12,000 members, are circuit ri: .-ng their members for closer cooperation in

Simplified Practice. Both have pledged their facilities and assistance in

furthering the work of tho Division.

* * * *

Manufacturers of tin containers for vegetable and fruit products

have nearly completed a tentative program for Simplification of sizes and

will meet July 21 to submit their proposed reductions of dimensions.
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