Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-06-08
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE
Eliminating Waste

The bureau Of standards Of the department Of COM
merce saved American industry approximately $780,
100000 last year, according to Ray NJ. Hudson, assist
ant chief of the bureau, who recently addressed a
gathering Of business men in Dallas. Mr.. Hudson as
serted that American industry annually wastes 10000
100000, and that the sole objective Of the bureau Of
standards is to eliminate this terrific loss.
AS a result of the campaign against waste, economy
Of manufacture has been attained in numerous indus
tries, and in the last analysis the consumer profits
through lower prices for necessities. Experts Of the
bureau demonstrate to Manufacturers how they can
simplify production by Standardization Waste IS
generally recognized as the result Of inferior manage
rial ability, but through Standardization the major
part Of such waste can be eliminated. Fifty per cent
Of the vast sum annually wasted, which amounts to ss5
wasted every years for every person in the United
States, is due to poor management, experts Of the bu-
reau claim, and 25 per cent is due to inefficient labor.
Careful research indicates that the remaining 25 per
cent is due to factors over which neither have imme-
diate control.
"As an example Of what the bureau does" Mr.. bud
son said in his address at Dallas, there used to be
1850 varieties Of rasps and file manufactured in the
United States, and now there are but 600. Formerly
steel barrels were made IN so styles, and now they are
made in "a. There were $50 styles of woven wire
fence; now there are 50. More than 400 designs Of
steel window shashes were manufactured six years ago
when the bureau was organized, and these have been
reduced TO 2,l44. We have reduced the mouels OIL
grinding wheels from 7,015 to 1865
Standardization has been achieved in hundreds of
industries through the work Of the bureau, and produc-
tion and distribution have been simplified. In the con-
crete industry alone ~$4,500.Oo0 hes been saved annually
through reducing the manufacture of concrete reinforc-
ing bars from 30 styles to IL. Manufacturers OF shee.
steel have been saved s~2,4oo,ooO annually through re-
ducing types Of that product from 1878 to 263.
Throughout the United States the movement toward
Standardization has been given great impetus through
the efforts Of the bureau Of standards. In the vegeta-
BILE industry, which is now in process Of analysis BY
the experts, Standardization Of containers is expected
TO save millions, and Standardization of varieties, at
least to different sections. is also regarded as not inn
probable, all of which would serve TO increase the
profits Of producers as Standardization has increased
the profits Of industry.
The terrific waste Of industry and distribution can
never be entirely eliminated. but a reduction Of so per
cent would result in tremendous enhancement Of
profits for producers and equal reduction in cost to
consumers with labor securing a large share of the
profits. The bureau Of standards j. performing a very
important service and its value to the nation will in
crease as Standardization becomes more generally ac-
cepted as the main avenue to individual and national
prosperity.