Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1916-07-13
intellectual Management
Of a Public Industry.
Thousands of Dollars Saved
Annually by the Introduction
of Modern Methods,

Annually by the Introduction
of Modern Methods.
The interest of people in public affairs
is considerably heightened when they
learn that the revenues of the Govern
ment are wisely and judiciously managed
A statement of economical expenditure
which IS susceptible of proof will always
attract attention and please the thought.
full reader.
Among the varied industrial enterprises
of the Post Office Department in Wash
ington is an establishment devoted en-
tirely to the manufacture of mail locks
and the bag attachments used in mail
transportation. When this administra-
ton came into power, the Department
sorely needed an improved type of mail
lock. The shop was Immediately reor-
ganized, placed on business basis. and
it's activities enlarged so as to meet this
imperative demand. Within very short
time new and greatly improved lock had
been devised and it's production begun.
The lock in use weighed 81 ounces; the
new one weighs As OUNCES. As 43O, 900
of this new product have been put into
service, the difference in weight 1.-THE Gov
eminent paying as much for the weight
of equipment as it does for the mail it.
self can be easily calculated. The locks
replaced by this new and better style cost
81 cents each to make; those now being
manufactured cost 81 cents, direct and
indirect charges considered, the saving
thus shown on original cost of production
to date amounting to $53, $50. OF the
old style, SO, 600 were annually returned
for repair at cost of about 8 cents each.
Of the new style, out of the great num-
Der sent into the service, but 9O6 have
been returned, and as these new locks
can be repaired at a cost of cents each,
the annual saving on this item will be
over 2,l00.
Another valuable improvement has been
the perfected locking cord fastener de-
signed for use on tie sacks, something
which the Department for years has
needed and vainly endeavored to accom-
plish. This device will be of great value
to the postal service at large by increas-
ing the capacity and efficiency of mail
bags to degree difficult to estimate.
The modern system of business methods
and the proper encouragement of en-
ployees to take an active and earnest in
terest in their work, both of which desir-
able features this administration of the
Department has favored and put INTO
practice, is responsible for the many i'm
provements made and the advantages
gained.
Active experiments are constantly be-
ing made for the betterment of the SER
vice. For many years tremendous ex-
pense has been the labelling of the i'm
mense quantity of mail bags in use. The
form of label used in the past and still
used by clerks all over the country is the
doubling and refolding of what is known
as facing slip" The preparation of
these labels by the thousands has been
and is an expensive proposition. Under
present direction perforated label in
sheets and runs has been designed which
is practically ready for use when fur
nished to employees. Every postal clerk
in the country and thousands of post
office employees will find this new meth
cd of great advantage and it will result
in large economy in the service.
There have also been some other nota-
BILE improvements made, viz, the substi-
tuition of steel where brass was formerly
used, at very considerable lessening of
expense; device for fastening foreign
mail pouches. doing away with the old
fashioned method of string and seal; a
scheme for saving Irvine by means of
simple holder which permits free and
easy use without waste, and a flexible
stamp design, for which the contract
price was "a cents, but which will now
be made at cost of but cents. A me-
chanical pickup or facing table for use
in facing and stacking letters in first
class post Offices has also been developed
and will soon be perfected. This device
is considered superior to those now in
use and costs less than one-third as much
to manufacture. Those at present in
use cost approximately $1,000.
1t will thus be seen that the activities
Of the Post Office Department have been
centered along lines which will not only
produce large economies to the people of
the country, but will also prove great
convenience to those in the service. Dur
ing the past three years tw o objects have
beer kept constantly in view. viz. saw
ing the public money wherever possible
and serving the people to the fullest ex-
tent. There was room for great i'm
provement and there has been much &C.
complished 1t is but common justice to
award due credit in these administrative
reforms to the Fourth Assistant Post
master General, in whose Bureau these
measures of..economy were developed and
who has so faithfully devoted his time to
that purpose.
Picnic and Festival.
The United Brethren Sunday School,
of this place, will hold its 9Th Annual
Picnic on Saturday, July 20. The picnic
will be held in George A. Eyler's grove