Evening star., 1925-11-07
ARTICLE v.

A selected group of Government
employees. 25 in number, meeting ap-
proximately once a month. has saved
the Federal Government $1.0o0,000 in
round figures over somewhat less than
four years simply by taking thought
of traffic matters.
This group, representing virtually
every branch of the Government
which sends it's clerks or supplies over
che rails. is designated the Federal
Traffic Board. 1t has as Its chairman
Comdr. f. G. Pyne Of the Navy De.
partment and It's accomplishments
are summarized by him In the follow
ing terse statement:
THE total direct saving 10 the Gev-
srnment through the routing OF Gov.
eminent traffic and other accomplish.
mentS OF the board IL $96S.8S4 Of
which $135.6 .632 was achieved during
the fiscal year 1925"
In report of this boards activ-
tiles made to Gen. H. G. Smither,
chief co-ordinator. and by him trans.
mitted to the Bureau of the Budget
the following instances, taken at ran
dom, are typical of the savings effect.
ed and of the manner in which the
Coolidge economy campaign was car
ried on by this organization.
"A purchase of 10000 tons Of Goa |
by the United States Penitentiary at
Atlanta was made on Il delivered bas sis
al the penitentiary. After learning
of this contract and the terms, the
board was instrumental In having the
contract changed TO an f.o.b. basis at
the mines, resulting in a saving on the
contract Of $500.
Part of the contract had been de.
livered, but this office was success
full in arranging with the carriers to
refund the difference between the
commercial rate and the landgra mt
rate. thus giving the Government the
benefit Of the land grant rates on the
entire contract.
The Governments purchase OF ce-
ment from southern cement mills for
the Wilson Dam at Florence. Ala.
has been very large. Owing to Il
change proposed by the carriers which
would have resulted in a material In.
crease in the Governments cost for
trans portation. this board. after fail
ing to convince the carriers that the
announced change WAS unreasonable
hled complaint with the Alabama
Public Service Commission which re.
suited in an order being issued by that
commission sustaining the Govern.
ment's contention and stoppinr the
proposed advance
The order will also result in q
refund on past shipments. A con.
servative estimate OF the amount saw
ed to the Government upon past and
future shipments will approximate
$4,000.
''On IA shipment of coal for Missis.
sippi River Improvement work near
Vickshure, routed by the district en-.
9ineer. a refund of S696.6e was Sc
cured.
On one oCca sion il was found de-
sirable to move ! 900, 900 feet OF lum-
Der from the Pacific coast TO Eastern
points. The Traffic Board realizing
the considerable freight charge in
VolVed. cast about for substitute meth.
ods of transportation II possible liz
found the Government transports 2
which. without inconvenience. could
move the shipment. The lumber was
loaded on these transports and
brought by them to its destination a.
II net saving. the board reports. uf
81 900 under the rail cost which other.
wise would have been expended
One of the favCrite economy meth
DDS of the board on Goa st -to-coast ship
ments Is the utiliza ton of steamers
rather than freight cars. This prac-
tice applies. OF course, only 10 ship
ments not urgently needed at destina
tion. Another instance of the saw
inss effected thereby is lifted from