New Britain herald., 1924-02-21
RECKLESS WASTE
 CAUSE OF H. [. OF |.
Government Official Tells Local
 FOremen of HO0Yer'S Plan

How Secretary of Commerce Her.
 bert Hoover is trying to help the in-
 dividual American through his CO.,
 operation with American industry
 was discussed lat night at an obser-
 vance of "Foreman's Night" in the
 New Britain Y. Nj. C. A. by A. F. Eoote of the division of simplfied
 practice of the Department of Com
 merce.
 One big reason for high prices, Mir. Foote explained. is that many manu-
 facturers and merchants are forced to keep large sums invested in wide varieties of stocks. many Of which are not actively traded in. This un- necessary burden is reflected in the prices of the more active goods.
 'Simplified Practice is a joint effort of the Department of Commerce, groups of manufacturers. distributors, and consumers to eliminate unneces- sary varieties, sizes and styles of everyday commodities in order that the burden may be lifted all along the line"
 It is not case, Mr. Foote declared, of government seeking to impose its plans upon industry or commerce. Many individual manufacturers learn ed during the wartime days that big advantages were to be gained, and increased their output and decreased their investment by simpliiication. And as other manufacturers and mer- chants are seeking the example of those who have undertaken simplifi- cation, they are getting together vol- untarily with the consumers and with the cooperation Of the Department of Commerce, are doing the same thing for their own benefit.
 There is difference between sim plification and standardization, the speaker said. "Simpliflcation," he said. does not mean that we will all be obliged to wear one type of hats. shoes or clothes. II does, mean. however, that tho merchant will not he obliged to carry overoads of slow moving stocks In 1922 there were more than 25.000 business failures. with liabilities totalling s625,O00, 900, and major cause Of these failures were frozen stocks and excessive in- yontories.
 While Mir. Hoover was president Of the American Engineering society, a study was made Of waste in industry. It was found that there was an aver age waste or nearly DO per cent in six of our leading industries. Applying the same factor to the fabricated pro- duction of the United States, which for l922 amounted to s60,00O, ,00O,0 900, we find an annual loss Of s3O,0OO.- 10000. Various authorities have es- timated that one-third Of that waste. or sl0,O0u. .0Gb. .nb0 can be saved through simplitication. By saving our share Of that preventible waste we are rendering patriotic service service which will be Of benefit to everyone
 Surveys connected with simpiiica- ton movements. Mr. Foote said. showed that in the case of mems soft felt hats there were g.72 styles grades, weights and c0lors; that chain retail drug stores were carrying 22.- o00 articles: that woven wire fence was made in 552 styles and put up in s.074 packages. and that sheet steel was manufactured in 1.13s varieties Of size and gauge.
 When interested groups nave got ten together they have made huge satings. Forty Of the principal rail- road systems put simpfifcation into tractiCe. Mir F0ote said. and lowered their investment in stores from S4S0,e00.096 to t30e.GBg. 900. One shoe manul sctuneF. who had three ] grades and 2.5e styles in each line. cut his lines 10 one grade and 100 styles. The cost to the consumer was lower | cd 25 per cent, while the manufactur- CTS sales 0f menfs shoes gained so per cent and his cost of production drop- 1 ped Si per cent. These are but a few l instances. One hotel released ss5O,- I 0ge from ifs inventories and saved ! FlVO.e1o year by simplification, | Simpliiication in the lumber industry 1 represents g saving 10 the industry and the public of fz5B.g9b. .gyB a year. |
 Through tie federal specifications board. simpiification will benefit the taxpayer in bringing government pur- chases into line with common busi- I ness practice and making the manu- facturer Of special articles for govern | nent use unnecessary.