DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Division of Simpil£i?§4 Practice

Washington

MONTHLY NEWS BULLETIN January 15, 1926. No. 10

SIMPLIFIED FRACTICE AND THE SCIENCE OF BUYING

The science of buying is recognized more nearly in its proper perspective

today than ever before, particularly in the industrial and commercial world*

Increasing consideration is being given, not only to the first cost, but to

the longer-range factors of fitness, interchangeability, renewals, replacements

and general maintenance, as well as the wearing qualities*

More and more, manufacturers are seeking, through advertising, service

bureaus, and the like, to induce the prospective buyer to purchase according to

his needs and on. a long-range basis, rather than to depend solely upon the price

consideration.

Manufacturer, distributor and consumer alike have an opportunity to con- tribute to the general fund of knowledge and to bring about higher standards of

buying, and a better understanding, through Simplified Practice. It is a matter of continued existence for the first two groups to give good values, fair

prices, and reasonable service as to delivery and maintenance of what they sell,-

at a reasonable profit. The buyer is concerned with making his dollar do its

full duty, Simplified Practice, by doing away with superfluous varieties of

no real difference, is one of the biggest factors in increasing the value of

that dollar.

All three interests have an equal part in development of a Simplified

iractice program, for the manufacturers and distributors of one group of commodities are buyers of some other groups* The fact is that there are the same advantages for the latter two groups to buy simplified lines as to manufacture

or sell them. Purchase of such simplified goods, which the manufacturer or distributor needs not only helps them to reduce their costs in this direction,

tut helps to make the n other fellow's 11 dollar more effective; and this car. ce best brought about through an interchange of acceptance of Simplified Practice

Recommendations where there is contact which will justify it.

In the words of L* M. Boomer, president of the ftaldor f-Astor ia, Inc.,:

"If ycu cannst apply Simplification to the things you sell, apply it in the

things you buy. Do not buy 15 varieties of bolts if you can, by study, make one

jsind of belt satisfy the 15 uses*’1

Simplified Practice helps to lessen confusion occasioned by existence 01

hundreds of needless and superfluous variations—whether of bolts or scores c: other commodities in everyday use. And for the ultimate buyer and user , the

lessening of such confusion permits him to better know his needs, the values of

simplified articles, and to consider the factors of value, maintenance and

service when purchasing.

-2

- That it has helped to maintain and even reduce price levels in some commodities in the face of increased cs*»t i# proof that

"it Pa., s to Buy Simplified Lines".

* * + & « *

" Simplified Practice, Vvha t It Is and What It Offers" has teen translated

into Russi.an hy the Russian Agricultural Agency in the United States as an aic. to

the Soviet's standardization and simplification work, according to D. N. Borodin,.,

director, v?ho recently visited the Division.

J* ;f * -fi Jf. ,-K Representatives of more than 90% of the sterling silverware manufacture of

the country have developed a recommendation which would simplify hundreds of

varieties to b2 . They are now worming with distributors of their products and

a General Simplification Conference is expected late in February.

* * * Not content with having simplified the sizes and varieties ana standardizing

sizes of grocery paper bags, the manufacturers are launching an advertising

campaign through their service Bureau, to tell their story to the wholesaler and

retailer. *******

When the Rational Canners Convention meets late this month in Louisville, Ky. , a report will be made by Leland S. Argali of -Mar shalltown, la., chairman of the

Simplified Practice Committee on Can Food Containers, on the production and demand

for various sizes of cans. This will be considered as a step toward a Simplified Practice program.

* * * * -f- * * PM YOUR SIMPLIFIED INVOICES WITH SIMPLIFIED BANK CHECKS

* 4: jf. Uf m. The Paperboard Industries Association has adopted a set of resolutions

pledging its fullest support to the simplification of box board, and products

converted from box board.

* jje + * * if. * "The work of your Division of Simplified Practice has aroused much interest

in Sweden, as it is showing some of the weak points of modern industrialism. In

this respect, we have much to learn from the practical results already attained in

the United States", says a letter from the General Export Association of Sweden.

» * * K » Sending a check for 250 copies of "Simplified Practice, What It Is and What

It Offers", the Cutler-Hammer Mfg. Co., of Milwaukee, Wis. , says: "It is our purpose to place a copy of this booklet in the hands of each one of our department

heads, designing engineers, draftsmen, and foremen, and then to call for suggestions

looming toward the simplification of our own product and practices."

* * * + X * * More than 190 big corporations in various fields, including some which represent more than 60 per cent of the passenger automobile production of the country,

have to date accepted Simplified Practice Recommendations reducing grinding wheels

from 725,000 to 233,000.

* * * * * -* * Two railroads of the country have reported an important step in the elimination

of waste. The Chicago and Alton, through a committee of heads of stores departments,

foremen, etc., has eliminated 7 . 302 units of material in U 7 classes from their

standard stock list. The Illinois Central, has reduced its staple stock of material

from 42, OCX) to 35.000 items. Beth are making further studies along this line and

ill make further cuts in the near future-

< * Jf. .% jf jf

The Swedish Industrial Standardization Commission, and other organisations,

together with the printing and paper trade, are working on a program of paper

standardization, along lines of the international paper standards. Norway has

likewise undertaken consideration of adopting these standards.

fc * * *< + * jf: The central Committee on Lumber Standards is having its worm augmented by the

appointment of a Single Standard Committee, to study the existing dual standards

and make recommendations at the May conference; and by a Short Lengths Committee,

to recommend a workable plan for the economic distribution of short lengths which

may be included in the American Lumber Standards. Charles T. Fisher of the Fisher

Body Corporation has been added to the central Committee, representing the automobile body manufacturers.

J* * * * ;*c * * following resolutions pledging the cooperation of the National Association of

manufacturers to the Simplified Fractice movement, state manufacturers' organizations in California, iviassachusett 3 and Maryland have named committees to push such

cooperation. The Maryland Committee, just completed; comprises; I’.H. Jennings,

Frederick a. Fletcher, M» A. Long, Clyde Friz, E. B. Whitman, John A. McBivid,

B. T. Scott, and C. S- Gant, representing manufacturers, architects, contractors,

purchasing agents and consulting engineers of the state. Grtorgia, Ohio, Illinois,

iiine , Nebraska, Virginia and Washington associations are forming similar committees. Similar action is being considered by state associations of Iowa,

Michigan, tjorth Dakota and Wisconsin.

rusiness men from the atlantic to Pacific, in a vote conducted by n System"

pn the greatest thing happening to business in the last 25 years, have ranked

‘'Simplification and the Department of Commerce" as tenth in the 12 most notable

events.

* * Greater economy in building construction, especially of small dwellings,

’ b ^ &r

^a

^, nee<^ ^e United States to-day" according; to Dr. John M. Gries, Chief

the x-ivision of Building and Housing of the Department of Commerce, and Treasuer of Better Homes in America. Simplified Practice, in his opinion, has already

^.ome a most constructive factor, and its more extensive application during 1926

^ Dr ^ nS consequent benefits to industry and the public. Good business, as

•• xi as the welfare of American families, stands to gain if the great latent demand

0 * dwellings within reach of families of average income can be more fully met.