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Show TIIK IXTKLI.K'l'XT MAX.U'KMKXl OF A PI.' HMO IXDLSTKY Thousands of Dollars Saved Annually by the liilrodiK'tioii of Modern Methods In the Post Olllee Department. The interest of people in public affairs af-fairs is considerably heightened when they learn that the revenues of the Government are wisely and judiciously judicious-ly managed. A statement of economical econom-ical expenditure which is susceptible of proof will always attract attention and please the thoughtful reader. Among the varied industrial enterprises enter-prises of the Post Ollice Department in Washington is an establishment devoted entirely to the manufacture of mail locks and the bag attachments attach-ments used In mail transportation. When this administration came into power, the Dupartment Boroly needed an improved type of mail lock. The shop was immediately reorganized, placed on a business basis, and its activities enlarged so as to meet this imperative demand. Within a very short time a new and greatly improved im-proved lock had been devised and its production begun. The lock In use weighed 51!; ounces; the new one weighs 2 4-5 ounces. As 4 30.000 of this new product pro-duct have been put into service, the difference in weight (the Government paying as much for the weight of equipment as It does for the mail itself it-self I can be easily calculated. The locks replaced by this new and better style cost 21 cents each to make: those now being manufactured cost 8 'i cents, direct and Indirect charges considered, the saving thus shown on original cost of production to date amounting to $5:1.750. Of the obi stive, 30.000 were annually returned for repair at a cost of about y cents each. Of the new style, out of the great number sent Into the service, but :mi6 have been returned, and as these new style locks can he repaired at a cost of 3 cents each, the annual saving on this Item will amount to over $2,100. The Department has in this administration admin-istration encouraged Its employees to give their best service to the Government Govern-ment and many Instances have recently re-cently come to notice wherein the Department has greatly profited by this wise public policy. In the lock shop a recent achievement in this direction is an Improved cord fastener, fasten-er, the work of tlir e of its employ, for use on bags; also one i!esliMi-l for locking lari;e i uaut it ies of panelpot matter, which hai heretofore been without this protection. It can be made at n very low price. recihring less material and a fewer number of nperat ions. The significant part of this lies in tin great number required requir-ed in the service, between three and four millions, the output being "'ii,-iiiiii "'ii,-iiiiii annually. As the cost has been reduced by the new method from 4 x-j to 3 rents ouch, it will be seen what a splendid nhowing this makes for administrative economy. Another valuable luiproemetit has been the perfected locking Cord fastener fast-ener designed for use on tie sacks, something which the Department for years has needed and vainly endei-vored endei-vored to accomplish. This de ice will he of great value to the postal m-rv Ice at large by Increasing the capa- iclty and ctllclciicy of mall bags to a decree ditbcult to estimate. The mod era siem of business methods and the Joper em ouragement of em ploces to take an active and earne-' 'Interest In their work, both of utn.li desirable features this administration of tile Department has favored nnd put Into practice. Is re-ponwihlc for the many Improvements made niil the advantages gained, i Active experiments are constant!) being made for the betterment of the servlie. For many years u tremei. dous expense has been' the labelim: of the Immense quantity of mall bag- . In ii'oi. The form of label used !n tin- pant nml still used by clerkc all over the country Is the do.ibliiu; an I refolding of what is known us a ''nc lug slip." The pi epural Ion of these hint Is by the thousand!' has 1 n and is an expensive proposition, yet tneie ap'icars to have bt no efloit on toe pari of prevlm.-t mini lit In I rat ioi i. ! trrrtess from the old method. ( n-t'er n-t'er present il Iret " i.ill a perforated I."' I In sheets an I runs has been designed which la practically read) for use when furnished to em p!o ee-c Kvery postal clerk In th" count rv and tllollMallils of post -otllce etlipioveen will 11 ii 1 1 this new method of great advantage ami It will result in a larce economy In the servli There have also been some other notable Improvements mad.', viz, the su list It ul Ion of steel where brass was formerly used, at n ery conslii enible lessening of expense; a device for fastening foreign mall pouchei. doing away with the old fashioned method of wiring and seal; 'i scheme for saving twine by means of a simple sim-ple holder which penults free and easy use without waste, and n flexible flexi-ble slump design, for which th, contract con-tract price was ,'H cents, but which will now be maile at a cost of hut S cetilH. A mechanical pickup or facing fac-ing table for use In racing and slacking slack-ing letters In Urst-dnss post oll'.ce:i has n bio been developed and will soon be perfected. This device Is com Ider-ed Ider-ed superior to those now In n nml cosIh Ichs than one third as much to iiiiinufaiinre. Those nf present In use cost approximately $ 1 ..oil. It will I has be seen I hat the ucl Iv I-tles I-tles of (he Donl Olllee DepaM illicit have been centered nloiig lines which will not only produce large ecouoni 'en to the people of the country, bill ' will also prove n great con ven Pm, to lltose III lht service. Dining Hie patil j Mirer years two obJeclH have been liepl const a nf ly In view, viz., inning, I he public money wherever posnllile and serving (he people In the fullest exlenl. There was room for great I Improvement ami there ban been I in mh aci'otitpllshed. II In but coin 1 inoii Jiuiilrn o award due ereilli In Iliese ad iii III Inl in 1 1 ve reforms to lite I'oiiiih A itn In I ii ii I'osl niaiil er ( I r.tl, III whose Itllieitll these IlieilsiilC't oil economy were developed and who has so hill hf ul! v devoted his I hue lo I hat pui pone. |