DEPARTMENT OF XJUZRCE

Division of Simplified Practice

Washington

MONTHLY NEWS BULLETIN December 15, 1325 No. 9

EXTRA. DIVIDENDS

Newspaper comment and word-of-mouth gossip in financial centers often

occapj.es considerable time in speculations about whether some stock or another

is to pay extra dividends. Often trading is active in stocks about which

such conjectures are current, traders seeking to participate in the "cutting

of uhe melon". And the stocks which have a record of frequent extra dividends

are always in constant demand, when the extra dividends are based on sound

business practice.

There is an equal opportunity for "extra dividends" to be obtained by

those who have had a part in Simplified Practice Recommendations. This opportunity lies in the acceptance by each group of the simplifications as developed

by another group; so that there may accrue to each participant the influence of

all of the others in the adherence to simplifications in general,

While it may not be apparent at first glance, it is a fact that one simplifying group may be producing articles or commodities that are consumed

by another group which is engaged in a simplification work of its own products.

Obviously, the full exchange of acceptances of the simplifications by each will

work to the advantage of the other.

Such an exchange of acceptances of Simplified Practice Recommendations

promotes a closer and. more general adherence of all programs. To those who

have adopted simolification in their own industry, who are finding material

gains, the "cross-acceptance" brings added influence, and helps to broadcast

the action to a greater degree. It also brings to each program the viewpoint

of others as to methods, progress or needed changes, which the standing committee

say consider with profit. In short, it is a case of a group which is benefittin

in one industry stretching out a cooperative hand to a similar group from some

other industry; a cooperation which is a growing trend of our whole social life.

With full application of interlocking acceptances, it is not stretching

the imagination too far to foresee a time when it will be possible to assemble

a "directory of Simplified Practice Recommendations" and a directory of acceptors

to indicate to the industries of the country the extent of application and the

degree to which Simplified Practice has spread. And it is then that the interlocking of acceptances will bring to each of the groups added benefits which

will constitute the "extra dividends".

Bequests have "been received that the Division consider the simplification

of hard surface floor coverings such as linoleums, congoleums, oilcloths etc.

The members of the Floor Covering Association are being canvassed for suggestionc

through ..iorri s Dobrow , their secretary.

The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England, has placed in its

library Simplified Practice Recommencaticn Ho. 3^ or. billing Cutters. This is

another proof that British engineers are awakening to the need for British

Simplified Practice. It is also a hint for American industry.

At a conference of makers, distributors and users of sidewain and vault

glass, architects and others, held on November 12, reduction of styles from

?0 to 5; sizes from ISO to b; and 10 shapes to 2 was adopted unanimously.

During the last month, the International Railway Fuel Association, with

1100 members, was registered among those making formal acceptance of the standard invoice, purchase crder and inquiry forms.

Reductions amounting to approximately 75^ in the variety and sizes of

die head chasers used in automatic screw threading machinery were adopted by

a general conference cf manufacturers, distributors and consumers on December '4, The manufacturers estimate an annual saving of $300,000 as one result of this

step, not to mention great improvements in convenience to users.

takers of steel sash have declared that considerable reductions are

possible in size and variety in this commodity and have asked the Division's

cooperation in developing a program of simplification.

lith the adoption of uniform sizes cf bank checks by a conference of

bankers, bank stationers, lithographers, accounting officers and others, the

machinery was set in rution to substitute a few sizes for thousands of variations. Further steps rill have to do with the material on the face cf the

check, a matter which is being referred to Federal Reserve authorities.

A committee which is studying the existing variety in sheet metal ware with

a view to preparation of Simplified Practice Recommendations reports that it

is nearly ready to submit a program to a general conference of all concerned.

The Division will call this meeting in January.

when the Knit Goods Manufacturers Association meets next month, its

members will be asked to consider suggested simplifications prepared by the

Southern Yarn Spinners Association as regards the variety of numbers and plies

of yarns. Russia has ''beaten us to it n

. The Yegoriev-Ramen Trust, after

lengthy work, has introduced almost completely the plan cf standardization for

manufacturing yarns suggested by the Supreme Textile Syndicate, according to

reports received by the Division, By the adoption cf these standards the

number of kinds of finished goods will be reduced from to So- The number

of kinds of coarse good3 was reduced last October from 65 to , the report

states.

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The Canadian Club of Toronto, has invited, the Chief of the Division '

to speak at a meeting of the club c-n January 25th about Simplified Practice. This

is Qfcly another proof of the interest our northern neighbors have, as several

of their trade publications and some of their trade bodies have been represented

at simplification confer OZj.0 6 G *

The Polemic Club of Lincoln, Nebraska, has undertaken a study of simplification during the month. And the Inquisitors’ Club, an economists 1 group, at

New Haven recently devoted sessions and discussions to simplified practice, as

did the Economists’ Club of Yale.

The American Engineering Council is planning a five year program of

research, and has asked the Id vision of Simplified Practice to have a part in

the drafting of this program. This indicates the close liaison between the two

bodies.

The 275 national and local industrial bodies and the 38 state todies

comprising the National Industrial Council are being called on through the publication of that organization to cooperate actively with the work of the Division,

as a result of the emphatic endorsement given by the directors of the Conference

some weeks ago in St. Louis, to simplification work. It is hoped that the 38

state manufacturers’ associations of the council will each form a cooperating or advisory committee similar to one already formed by the California Manufacturers 1 Association, to extend interest in the work of Simplified Practice in their

respective states.

Inquiries were received during the month from England, Germany, Holland and

Sweden regarding the work of the Division and the progress cf Simplified Practice

in the United States.

Simplified spelling in Osaka, Japan, results in the use of but 2490 characters instead of 6,000. That’s not the only interest they have in simplified

practice for recent visitors to the Division to study its worm, procedure and

results, have included Mr. H. Goto, of the military Arsenal, Tokio, Mr. Yasutar©

Hirai, professor of Business Administration, Aobe, Japan, Higher Commercial

School, and others.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs, through its Division of Problems

Industry, is conducting a study in forty two states of Simplified Practice, and

the elimination of waste through standardization. The subject is one of much

interest, apparently, for Mrs. James A. Devitt, chairman of this work, reoorts

receiving calls for additional information. When women, who buyalarge proportion

of goods sold, throw their influence behind Simplification, a long step forward

will have been taken.

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