BUSINESS LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15307, 21 May 1913, Page 10

BUSINESS LIFE.

, COST OF CARELESSNESS. Some time ago the' general manager of a big tramway company found that the cost of small supplies was much higher than the actual quantities needed seemed to warrant. Investigation showed that men in repair and construction gangs were wasteful of bolts, screws, rods, wire, and like material, and careless about picking up small tools. Instead of blaming the men, the boss blamed himself. " It is my fault," he said, " for I have never taken the trouble to, let those fellows see what. carelessness costs us. The yearly ■ total as it comes to my desk is plain enough: but the repair'man who loses a wrench or leaves half-a-dozen bolts lying in the road, can't be expected to sea that total. It's up to me to put the proposition to him clearly." So average prices were set on each bit of material. Some, of the little items, like bolts, cost: only a farthing apiece, but the number that had been wasted every year ran into a good many pounds. To make it worth while to look after supplies, each gang was allotted a monthly quota sufficient to do its work without skimping. Records were then kept of .ill supplies" issued to or returned by each gang, and all savings on this quota were credited, prizes being awarded to the gangs doing their work most economically. The scheme worked perfectly.

TO WHICH CLASS DO YOU BELONG. I have had a hundred thousand people in my employ in different parts of the world, at the same time, and have had pretty good opportunities to study mankind. In my mercantile life I have noticed the man who arrives at his post on time, and not one minute later, and who leaves on the minute, und not one second later. He does no more than lie ha-* to do, and, naturally, does not do that well, for he gauges himself. . Then there is the man .who arrives ahead of time, and works late if there is anything to be finished. Tho latter takes an interest in his work, and is anxious to be advanced. We wonder what we - should, do if _ho should decide to leave, for it is recognised that it would be difficult to fill his place! But in regard to the man who watches the clock we are indifferent, and would probably never miss him. I have known young men in my employ to come to' me and ask to be advanced. If I knew the applicant to be worthy, and I could not comply with his request, I have advised him to start out for himself, and have loured him five or six hundred dollars to establish himself, but never to a man who had not saved, for thafo is money thrown away. In regard to myselfl live, within my means.. I have never, in the course of my life, overstepped that line.—Coliis P. Huntington. Great thoughts reduced to practice '. become great acts. _ Again, great acts grow out of great occasions, and great occasions spring from great principles, working changes in society and tearing it up by the roots, . ; - William Hazlitt.