Shop Management

118 SHOP MANAGEMENT slips of paper, to be placed in the tickler and returned to him at the proper time. Both the tickler and a thoroughly systematized messenger service should be immediately adjacent to this man in the planning room, if not directly under his management. The proper execution of this function of the plan- ning room will relieve the superintendent of some of the most vexatious and time-consuming of his duties, and at the same time the work will be done more thoroughly and cheaper than if he does it himself. By the adoption of standards and the use of instruc- tion cards for overhauling machinery, etc., and the use of a tickler as above described, the writer reduced the repair force of the Midvale Steel Works to one- third its size while he was in the position of master mechanic. There was no planning department, how- ever, in the works at that time. (7) Messenger System and Post Office Delivery. The messenger system should be thoroughly organ- ized and records kept showing which of the boys are the most efficient. This should afford one of the best opportunities for selecting boys fit to be taught trades, as apprentices or otherwise. There should be a regular half hourly post office delivery system for collecting and distributing routine reports and records and messages in no especial hurry throughout the works. (m) Employment Bureau. The selection of the men who are employed to fill vacancies or new positions should receive the most