DIVISION OF SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE

DEPARTMENT 0? COMMERCE

Washinguen

MONTHLY NE??S BULLETIN November? *6, 1925, No, Go

"MORE EASTER BONNETS"

Not long ago. Secretary Hoover, discussing the elimination of industrial

waste in its relation to labor, said; "What we are discus s5.ng are our economic

wastes. They contain the paradox that If we save them collectively we shall

have more goods and services to expend individually, Me do not by this process

propose to abolish Easter Bonnets; we propose more bonnets for the same money

and effort.

In some rare instances, this view seems to be mi sunder stood. The result

is that protests are made that the s imp1 ifi c at i on of variety would lead to

standards—as one editor puts it "to have the retailer sell but one type of

biscuit, one shape of shoe, one type of hat, one cut of coat" and so on. And

this particular editor declared "there is joy in variety, in * * the endless

variation of passing ideas and objects".

Anything can be carried to excess, and variety carried tb this extent lays

a heavy hand on our capacity to provide the means for enjoyment in the form the

editor describes. It is this condition of wasteful variety--the commodities

which vary so slightly that the consumer is bewildered, that gather dust on the

shelves of the merchant, and that tie up funds which might be better spent on

goods which can be kept moving and bringing in a return of profit —which the

American Engineering Council says, is adding 25 to 30 per cent to the costs

paid by the consumer. What this particular eidtor did not understand was that Simplified Practice

does hot set standards. It takes account of the extent of variety produced, and

of the demand for the various items in that variet;/, It then eliminates the

drag of the slow-moving, the "deed vrood", the obsolote, and concentrates attention—both production and sales—on the "live goods" with the result that the

stocks of the manufacturer and distributor are kept fresher, represent better

values; and that the investments are lower. The workman is substantially

affected by any such action. It means a more constant operation of plant, increasing his earnings. It does away with seasonal occupation, and allows him

greater spending capacity.

And another thing which this editor's criticism lost sight of was that

Simplified Practice safeguards the progress of invention, the changing trend

of demand, the individualism, by providing for periodical reconsideration and

revision of Simplified Practice Recommendations, In the mean time, the man

who wants the "special" type of article can get it. But he meet, pay the added

cost of that' special. He must not expect the maker to add part of the cost tc

the expense of the staple commodities which are in constant demand. And if, in

the interim between adoption of Simplified Practice Recommendations, and their

revision, the man wanting the "special" can build up a demand making it work

while, he can still present its claims for inclusion at the revision meeting.

Hundreds of manufacturers, distributors, consumers, and others have taken

part in Simplified Practice procedure. Their experiences and the benefits they

gained are responsible for the tremendous growth of the movement, fa* , be it

remembered, the Division of Simplified Practice cannot drag any industry or group into Simplified Practice, willy nilly. And as "the proof of the pudding

is in the eating", we recommend that the editor ASK SOME FIRM THAT HAS TRIED IT.

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®y *gr*&nimous vote, the advisory committee of the National Industrial

Council, comprising the officers of S% stftt-3 manufacturers • associations,

passed a strong resolution pledging the support of the council to the elimination of "waste program. The meeting was held in St. Louis, October 26th.

The City Club of Portland, Ore., recognises that simplification has possible

benefits for the community at large. It has asked for Simplified Practice publications and has indicated that its membership plans to get full information

on the subject. Other organizations can secure similar material by writing to

the Division.

By cutting our 4,070 possible combinations of sizes, finishes or grades

of shovels, spades and scoops, the makers, distributors and users of shovels,

meeting at Atlantic City October 19, placed themselves on record in favor of

eliminating waste. These 4,070 sizes furnished but cf the volume cf

business

.

The Electric Power Club has requested the Division of Simplified Practice to

call a general conference to consider their recommendations covering the dimensio

of Commutator Brushes and Brush Shunts.

Simplified practice recommendations for the reduction of variety and sizes

of milling cutters, and for eliminating 459,000 sizes of grinding wheels, have

been accepted by the National Machine Tool Builders' Association, This action

Dill permit the standing committees of these two groups to go ahead with plans

for further reductions, as the cooperation of the machine tool builders will

allow standard sizes for arbor holes and other items with which the tool builder

is concerned.

The hard rood industry has decided to throw its influence in the direction

of lumber standardization in its field, the Division was informed late last

month. This places the lumber industry as a whole in the unique position of

being the only basic industry in the country if not in the world, which is

whole-heartedly in favor of standards.

A reduction from 33 to 13 sizes and weights for lead arsenate, calcium

arsenate, Paris green and Bordeaux mixture was adopted at a general conference

of makers, distributors and users of agricultural insecticides and fungicides.

The meeting was held October 29.

Invitations have been sent out for a general conference to consider proposals that glass sidewalk and roof lights be simplified. The conference will

be held November 18, The tentative program would reduce styles from 80 to 3;

sizes from 320 to 6 and shapes from 10 to 2, yet the simplification committee

believes that this small number would satisfy 80y0 of the demand.

The recommended Simplified invoice, purchase order and inquiry forms have

been accepted by 41 associations and 211 individual firms to date.

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the business man nor tJS# |^a^g»;j* is making full use of

services g®tich the various state and $*£*?«*, bureaus, maintained at

exoe':ise, are organised and equipped to j says the monthly letter of1 the

American-Exchange-Pacific National Bank of New York City to its clients,,

"in some cases the facilities of bureaus are being taxed to the limit of their

capacities, but the services are being performed for the few who know their

value instead of the many who are not even aware tha t the bureaus exist."

Simplified Practice is such an activity; and the question arises; are your

clients using cur services?

Drastic changes have been made in the grading ru3.es for vitreous sanitary

ware as a result of a conference of manufacturers with Bureau of Standards

officials last week. Adopting definitions as to defects, which will permit a grading a s to "regular selection" and "culls"; the conferees set at work for

simplification of 11 roughing- in" dimensions, and this will come up for a Simplified Practice conference later. The result •'rill be the protection cf the

buyer as to quality, and considerable savings of time and confusion for tho

installing plumber and the architect*

Eighty cr more motor truck manufacturers, parts manufacturers, and others

comprising Motor Truck Industries, Inc. , mooting last week in the Department of

Commerce, made decided progress toward simplification of truck sizes, and standardization of non- competitive parts, which will permit greater interchangeability, Representatives of largo truck using branches of the government hailed

this progress as being of the utmost importance, not only to the government,

but to all interests engaged in transportation by truck.

Manufacturers of portable forges used in steel construction, garages,

factories and a number of other places, have begun a survey which will determine

later recommendations as to reduction of variety.

Acceptances have been received in sufficient volume from the makers,

distributors and users of grocery paper bags to warrant the issuance of a Simplified Practice Recommendation, effective October 15, Tho reduction was

from 6230 to 4700, and it was estimated that the economies in paper stock alone

will be $600,000 a year.

Proposals for the adoption of simplified sizes of bank checks will be considered at a general conference which is to be held November 23.

The standing committee on simplification of boxed elastic webbing has

notified the Division that because of lack of interest on the part of makers,

and distributors the Simplified Practice Recommendation will not become effective

This is the first instance wherein a group after adopting such action has failed

to stand back of its recommendations.

This month we offer a supplement, indicative of the tremendous interest in

foreign countries regarding Simplified Practice and its results.

SUPPLEMENT TO MONTHLY NEVIS BULLETIN No. 8.

BRITISH INIERE 3T_IN_S IMPLIFIED PRACTICE

The London Times Trade and Engineering Supplement , issues of August 8 , 22,

and 29, 1925, and British and American editions of "System11 for October devote

much space to a series of amides by Cecil Chisholm, an industrial consultant,

contrasting American and German Simplification progress with uhe apathy in

Bri t i sh In du s t. ry

.

Referring to a series of articles which he wrote for the "Times" in 1922,

on the sivrroli fication policy in America, Mr. Chisholm recalls a question he

raised then as to whether British manufacturers could afford to ignore a policy

sc far-reaching. He says; "Events have proved, as the success of American Standard goods and specifications in all pa.rts of the world shews, that they could

not." Mr. Chisholm notes that only one British firm sent representatives to the

United States to investigate the new policy thoroughly.

"During the past year, however, the position has changed, "he says, "There

are signs of awakening at last. The president of the Federation of British

Industries, a manufacturer who has studied the results of simplification in the

United States at first hand, has made a statement ** which merits careful

study:

"'I am convinced", he says, "of the immense possibilities latent

in the simplification of business practices. For goods at lower

prices there is an immense demand, not only in this country but

throughout the world. Is it realized what the wastage in industry in this country adds to the cost of the consumer? America

and Germany - and a very few progressive undertakings in Great

Britain - are defeating high production, transport, distribution

and selling costs by the scientific application of a policy of

reduction in the multiplicity of sizes, qualities, patterns and

specifications - that policy is now known as simplification. The

policy involves no encroachment on the wage bill in industry; no interference with the prerogative of the individual manufacturerand carries with it the essentials of a reduction in price to the consumer. It is time that every British business leader and every

trade association here studied the possibilities of this necessary

factor in industry and commerce.'"

Mr, Chisholm cites as recent developments in Great Britain a simplifi cat ion

of paper sizes by printers and stationers; and a 50^ reduction in the catalog

of one of the largest British distributing houses. Similarly, he says, cne leading house in half a dozen other great industries has taken similar steps.

"it is estimated" he says, "that simplification would save the hardware trade

about it. 1,000,000." The 50% catalog reduction referred to by Mr. Chisholm was

in the hardware field and involved 50,000 items. Nc serious less of orders has

resulted, he reports. Among the items was a class of manhole covers, 52 kinds

and as many as nine weights, which were reduced to 11. One firm of boot manufacturers which had been offering the home trade something like 500 different

samples from which to select, each made in anything up to 45 different sizes

and fittings, cut to 12 styles, each made in about 40 different sizes. Competition necessitated a modification of this firm's program and today there are

220 styles in 35 sizes and fittings offered, though one design may cover a half dozen different leathers.

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Mr. Chisholm consents: "in ..merica the boot and shoe industry has

managed to secure the best of both worlds by limiting the caprices of fashion

through united, efforts to keep stylo in one channel and by reducing the number

of violent changes.

Again, in the electrical machinery fields, Mr. Chisholm finds one firm

of motor manufacturers have cut their line and the director says "Our standard,

lines suit 'Vb% of the industrial users" and declares that he would not consent

to the addition of any items to this line. This manufacturer has held firmly

for a policy of production on a manufacturing basis rather than a specialty

basis, and ho asserts that under a specialty basis prices would have to be

25^ higher.

In the hardware field, Mr. Chisholm points to a listing of 1,000 items in

certain types of builders' hardware as against 20,000 of pre-war days. But he

asks "is there any reason for 40 different types of house gutter? Arc l-l/2

inch nails of 13, 14, 15 and 16 gauge really required when the Americans are making only the 13 gauge ? Are more than a fraction of our 65 sizes of wire nail

made from 1 inch to 6 inches in length necessary ?"

In the field of packing materials, Mr. Chisholm reports that one carton

manufacturer reduced from 12 sizes and qualities to 2, and yet satisfied 95fo of

his trade, while in another branch the firm reduced sizes from 50 to 3,

adopting one color, fastening and shape as its standard. Only one dissatisfied

buyer was reported by this form.

Another individual firm which simplified was a stationer, which formerly

irr-ndled 1,000 varieties and which reduced to 41, and yet lest bat 1% of its

old customers.

Reverting to the statement by Col. F. -ernon YYilley, president of the

Federation of British Industries, Mr. Chisholm says; "it will be noticed that

the president of the F. B. I. mentioned the wage bill. Now the wage bill is an even more serious factor in American business than in our own. Virtually spea

ing, simplification is America’s answer to increased costs in .every department cl

production and distribution. It is this pressure fc-r higher wages which has

forced the American manufacturer to use every device that science, invention and

management can devise in order to lower costs to the consumer. "’Uithcut simplification', said one maker the other day who owns plants in

both countries, ’ we simply couldn’t undertake building or developments of any

sort in the States.’"

Mr. Chishclm quotes from Department of Commerce reports to show the co- operation of industry with the Division of Simplified Practice, the American

Engineering Standards Committee and the Chamber of Commerce of the United States,

and he continues; "The saving in national effort through such cooperation, as demonstrated by many well known examples of simplification and standardization,

runs into millions of dollars. **In Germany, during recent visits, the writer

found increasing signs of the effective activities of the Normenausschloss der

Deutscher Industrie in controlling standards, particularly in the engineering

and electrical industries. The Brazilian Government has now a standardization

Bureau, working in harmony with various American simplification agencies.

German standards are frequently accepted in some of the other south American

Republics.

"in a word, the lists are set for the "battle of the standards" in engineering products. At the same time home and foreign markets are alike succumbing

to the simplified Practice which produces a highly finished article at a price

not too far above that of less high quality goods. ** In both those directions

America has secured herself a long start during the past ten years. Germany

makes a good second. The question is, what are vre doing to meet the same conditions?"
L
Quoting Mr. Hoover’s summary of the benefits from simplification, Hr.

Chisholm criticizes the government for its apathy. He says; "Before taking up

in detail ** one fact must be emphasized. The slow progress of simplification

in this country is largely due to the apathy hitherto displayed by the Government on this subject. This rapid spread of this more scientific method of

besiness practice in the States owes very much to the fostering hand of Mr.

Hoover and to the Department of Commerce.

"He require urgently some organization to do in what may be called the

semi-technical or non-technical trades what the British Engineering Standards

Association does so efficiently in the engineering trades, i.e., the work of

coordination. As the secretary of the B.E.S.A. once said, the problem of simpli

fientien may be divided into two parts, 85% depending on the human element, and

only 15% on the technical. The non-technical trades have heard little about

simplification. Even if one of these should desire to secure the benefits of

simplified practice, there is no one to whom its leaders can go for assistance

in drawing up even a tentative programme."

Again, in " System" quoting Mr. C, le Maistre, Secretary of the B.E.S.A.,

Hr. Chisholm says, "Tie have now passed the stage of mere academic interest in

standardization. I am inclined to think that the term standardization is going

out of date, because in recent days what we are after is simplification."

As to standardization, Mr. Chisholm remarks in the "Times" that "Great

work is being done quietly in the coordination of the general stores of the

Government, For the first time industry is able to take a hand in the Drafting

of Government specifications. At the present moment the Association has 420

committees at work. Over 2,000 engineers and business men are giving their

time and experience ** without a fee."

Mr. Chisholm then goes into considerable detail as to the procedure of the

B. E. S. A., andas an evidence of the time necessary for such work, he says

"For instance, the B. E. S. A. is just completing the simplification of steel

telegraph poles. The work has taken five years to complete, and even now cer- tain last-minute proposals are awaiting discussion. (Mr. Hoover’s division

reduced the number of varieties of American Paving stones from 66 to 7.

incidentally saving the makers, distributors and users $200,000 within six

months ) The thoroughness of the work done by the B. E. S. A. secures simplifications more perfect in detail than those achieved even in the United States

and Germany, ** But the simplification ** also secures that each of these

four types ** are not only standardized for Great Britain; They have been

provisionally accepted by all the Colonies and Dominions. In other words, when

finally published they will virtually have become ’Empire Standards’ ** a eelling point of no small value to the British maker and the distributor."

The most important work undertaken by the B. E. S. A., Mr. Chisholm believe

is in the field of building materials, taken up at the request of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, supported by the Ministry of Health,

and along such lines as asphalt for roofing, asbestos, cement sheeting, expanded

metal, steel arch girders, wire ropes and other materials.

Discussing "The American Plan," Mr. Chisholm describes the procedure at

each of the Simplified Practice steps, and he concludes;

"Here a very elaborate piece of national machinery is involved. Some

similar arrangements must be eventually made in this country, if competitive

conditions continue."