The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-17

than that shown for averages by de-
partments.
IL has been found that differences of
average cost by departments closely
follow differences i'm method and that
the greatest cost is found in the de-
partment where the method is most
involved Another fact is of Interest,"
viz, that in the two departments above
referred to, which show the lowest
averages. orders have been issued
which will lead TO large saving with
out impairing efficiency. It cannot be
said what the saving ultimately viii be
when the attention of officers in all Of
the departments has been focused on
present methods with n view to chang
ing them in such manner as to reduce
cost to the lowest point compatible
with efficient service. 1t, however,
must be considerable percentage Of
nearly S5,00O,OO0, the total estimated
cost Of handling this part of the gov.
ernment business at Washington.
Need For Labor Saving Office Devices.
The use Of labor saving Office devices
In the service has been made the sub
ject of special inquiry. An impression
prevails that the government is not
making use of mechanical devices for
ecohomizing labor TO the same extent
as are efficiently managed private en-
terprises. a study has been made of
the extent TO which devices of this
character are now being employed in
the several branches of the govern
ment and the opportunities that exist
for their more general use. In order
to secure information as to the various
kinds of labor saving devices that are
in existence and as to their adaptable
ity TO government work, an exhibition
OF labor saving office appliances was
held in Washington from July @ to 10,
1911. One hundred and ten manufac-
turers and dealers participated, and
more than 10000 officers and employees
visited the exhibition. There is no
doubt that the exhibition served the
purpose of bringing to the attention of
officers devices which can he employed
by them with advantage. The holding
of this exhibition was, however, but n
step preparatory to the contemplated
investigation.
Unnecessary Cost Of Copy Work.
The efforts OF the commission result
cd also in the adoption by several bu-
reaus or departments Of improved
methods Of doing copying. The amount
of copy work therefore, done by hand
each year in the many offices is esti-
mated to aggregate several hundred
thousand dollars. The commission ex-
hblted at its offices appliances that
were thought to be especially adapted
TO this kind Of government work. Fol-
lowing these demonstrations methods
of copying were introduced which have
brought about saving Of over 90 per
cent in Offices where used for six
months. This change in one small cross
section OF Office practice will more than
Offset the whole cost of my inquiry.
Waste In Distribution Of Public Doeu-
ments.
Going outside the, Office, one Of the
business processes which has been in
vestigated is the distribution OF depart
mental documents. This is subject
with which both the congress and ad-
ministration heads are familiar. The
prevailing practice in handling depart
mental publications is TO have them
manufactured at the government print
ing Office. Each job when completed
is delivered TO the department. Here
the books or pamphlets are wrapped
and addressed. They are then sent to
the postoflice. There they are assorted
and prepared for shipment through the
malls. From the postoflice they are
sent TO the railroad station, which Is
only few steps from the government
printing Office, whence they started.
The results of this laborious ana cir
cultous method Is 10 make the use of
the best mechanical equipment imprac-
tlcable and to waste each year not less
than a quarter OF million dollars Of
government funds in useless handling,
TO say nothing Of the indirect loss due
TO lack OF proper coordination.
Wasteful Use of Properties and Equip
ment.
The use Of equipment is n matter
which also has been investigated. Up
20 the present time this investigation
has been In the main confined to the
subject Of electric lighting. The gov
ernmcnt pays over 100000 per year
for electric current. 1t has made large
capital Outlays for wiring and fixtures.
With the increasing demands in many
buildings the present equipment Is tax
ed to its limit, and II the present meth
DDS are continued much OF this wir-
Ing must be done over In many places
employees are working at a great
physical disadvantage, due TO made
quate and improper lighting and there
by with reduced efficiency. In every
place where the inquiry has been con.
Quoted It appears that there is large
waste; that without the cost OF re-
wiring, simply by giving proper atten.
tion to location Of lights and the use
of proper lamps and re6ectors. the
light efficiency at points where needed
may be much increased and the cost
bf current reduced from 30 10 go per
rent. Other inquiries into the use
which is being made Of properties and