The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1899-05-20


A. Castle, auditor Of the postotice de-
partment. Capt Castle went to Wash
ington Immediately following a five years
service as postmaster of st. Paul. Here
he tried the "Bundy time lock with sat-
fsfactory results. -. ~
Capt. Castle thought the use of time
locks essential in his department at Wash
1ngton and put them in on his own re-
sronsibility. There were a lot Of clerks
who raised objections over the innovation,
but the captain said not word, but con-
tinuelt their use until the Department
chiefs; found out by personal observation
that the clocks were a good thing. That
this was the conclusion arrived at is
shown by the fact that other departments
were gradually supplied with them. Now,
however, there is pending before congress
an act to prohibit their use In the departs
ments.
Not only does the time clock point the
way to better service, but in Capt. Cas-
ties department it has proved matter
Of economy. Interviewed on the subject
by a Washington Star reporter, Capt.
Castle explained his observations and de-
auctions as follows: r'
This is one of the largest bureaus in
the departmental service, numbering 4S4
employees, separated into seven divisions
and engaged in the great variety Of i'm
portant work necessary to keep the
books, audit and settle accounts of the
entire postal service, including the enor-
nous and rapidly growing money-order
system. It is the largest accounting office
in the world, it's financial transactions
aggTegating in time Of peace more than
all the other departments of this govern
ment combined. Every grade of work is
done, from the lowest to the highest, and
all kinds of people are necessarily in
cluded in so large concourse.
Through the use of Bundy time clocks
during the past year we estimate that
we have saved in the aggregate the serv
ices of at least twelve persons by dis
pensing with timekeepers, and by reduc-
ing the aggregate of hardness and excess
sive absence below the previous record.
At the average salary of 81, 165 each paid
here. there has been saved to the govern
ment 81, $50 above the total cost Of our
clocks. This Is the economical side of the
proposition, which cannot be disputed.
The direct gain of twelve clocks is very
important to us, overwhelmed as we are
with increasing labor and having an in
adequate force to perform it.
II do not know how effective other
clocks are, but I know that those we use
are, practically unerring; that there has
been absolutely nc. complaint as to their
correctness; that the better class of clerks
are abundantly satisfied with the record
made. and wish the system continued.
If other and inferior clocks anywhere
have caused trouble and confusion I can
see that there might be valid objections.
But the Bundy clock is In use in all the
city postOjces throughout the country,
more than twenty thousand clerks and
letter carriers making their daily time
these mt
every day in the year, and without ser.
ious complaint from any quarter. These
employees work for the government much
longer hours at much lower average SAL
aries and with only fifteen days leave a
year, but we hear. of no talk Of congress
coming to their relief -, .....s. -.
'Thcee full months were allowed at our
Office in the beginning for employees to get
accustomed to the system, during which
period no nenalties for forgetfulness were
imposed. Ever since then that penalty
has been RENTED in every case of hard
ship brought to my attention. .......a
"Of course, there are complainers in this
and other bureaus on account Of the in
novation; that was expected; and it does
not trouble us ut all. An. old proverb
Bays that rogues never have a good opin-
ion Of ropemaKers.~ Habitual hardness Is
ore element Of inefficiency which usually
goes hand iii hand with others, but which
jar; honest time clock is in use. Ny knowl-
ledge Of this bureau is now tolerably
Thorough. My observation of other bu.!
.rcaus in the departments here confirms
me in the opinion that they average. all
in all, about alike. '.~'5 ~. .
! The Averages.
.'Sixty per cent OF the clerks are faith ).
full, intelligent, Industrious, worthy men;
and women. The older ones have been
many years in the service; they have ac-:
.cumulEted a vast and valuable fund Of;
knowledge in regard to their several func-
dtions. They know the laws, the .prece-
dents, the methods Of doing business, and
1.-THE benefit Of the government which EN-
5Iploys and pays them. Those younger
jim years and experience are growing into
sthe same fullness OF knowledge and tho
whole force, taken together, constitutes q
,ody of people with whom it Is pleasure
20 be associated, and whom It is dis
tinguished honor to lead Upon their
strong shoulders rests the actual admin
tstration Of the government. II they ever,
as whole, or In any considerable pro.
portion prove fanhless. the government
will break down Of it's own weight, an
alchy will prevail and the republic will
die. This class OF employees need no time
clocks or or any other incentive to 10y
ally perform their duty. Neither do the
great ElasS Ok honest taxpayers in any
community need jails or police courts, yet
sy the nature Of things they are requested
TO contribute to maintain those undesir-
1ble institutions.
Twenty per cent Of the total number
IT e1npl Dyes ere, through no avoidable
fault OF their own inefficient for the work
they are trying to do. Either by age,
physical fndrmity, mental deficiency or
other cause, they are only partially able
to earn the salaries they are receiving