Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-01-17


Ill papers before fling. Some use press
topics; others retain only carbon cop
les.
Cost of Handling and Filing Core
spondence.
The reports also show not only a
very wide range in the methods of
doing this comparatively simple part
Of the government business, but an ex-
traordinary range in cost. For the
handling Of incoming mail the aver
ages of cost by departments vary from
1854 to SS4.4 40 per 1000. For the han
ding of outgoing mail the averages by
departments vary from 1894 to S69.S9
per 1000. This does not include the
cost of preparation. but is confined
merely to the physical side of the
work. The variation between indi-
vidual offices is many times greater
than that shown for averages by de-
partments.
1t has been found that differences of
average cost by departments closely
follow differences in 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. 1t cannot be
said what the saving ultimately will be
when the attention of officers in all of
| the departments has been focused on
present methods with view to chang
/ ing them in such manner as to reduce
cost to the lowest point compatible
with efficient service. 1t. however,
must be a considerable percentage of
nearly S5.000,O00, the total estimated
cost of handling this part Of the gov
eminent 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
lecOnomizing 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 adaptab bill
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 be employed
by them with advantage. The holding
of this exhibition was. however. but a
step preparatory TO the contemplated
Investigation.
Unnecessary Cost of Copy Work.
The efforts of the commission result,
ed 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
hibited at its Offices appliances that
were thought to be especially adapted
to this kind of government work. Fol
lowing these demonstrations methods
lnf tn lob, h,,Y
brought about a saving of over rs pei
cent in offices where used for siI
months. This change in one small eros:
section of office practice will more thai
) offset the whole cost of my inquiry.
Waste In Distribution of Public Docu
ments.
Going outside the office, one of thu
business processes which has been in
: vestigated is~the distribution of depart
. mental documents. This is a subjec
. with which both the congress and ad
, ministration heads are familiar. Tn,
prevailing practice in handling depart
! mental publications is to have then
manufactured at the government print
: Ing office. Each job when completed
Is delivered to the department. Her
the books or pamphlets are wrapped
: and addressed. They are then sent t.
the postofice. There they are assorted
: and prepared for shipment through tn
: mails. From the postoffice they ar
: sent to the railroad station, which Il
only few steps from the government
: printing office. whence they started
The results of this labOriOus and cir
= cuftOus method is to make the use o
the best mechanical equipment impraC
tcable and to waste each year not les
than quarter Of a million dollars O
) government funds in useless handling
} 10 say nothing of the indirect loss du
to lack of proper coordination.
WastefuI Use of Properties and Equip
rent.
The use Of equipment is a matte
which also has been investigated. o.
r to the present time this investigation
/ has been in the main confined to tn
: subject Of electric lighting The gov
| ernmeDt pays over 100000 per yea
= for electric current. 1t has made larg
= fapital OUTLAWS for wiring and fixtures
{ With the increasing demands in man.
buildings the present equipment is tax
ed to its limit and if the present meth