THE IMPORTANCE OF RIGHT METHODS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1618, 4 March 1903, Page 65

THE IMPORTANCE OF RIGHT METHODS

In the December number of the “Century .Magazine” there is given a complete history of the great United States Steel Corporation, from its origin to the present, and an open exposition of its methods of co-ducting its business in all departments. We will speak of only one fact among tlie many there brought out. This is the efficiency and economy of its manufacturing methods. It is demanded from the head th-it all subordinate parts of their vast combination do their work in such a manner that there shall be no waste of labour, time or material; the cost of production shall be reduced to the lowest point by the highest efficiency possible in the methods that are used. There we have it in a nutshell. The least possible waste of labour, time and material, and the use of such methods that will “bring to each man the largest returns in product that is possible to give. To secure this result the system by which the business is carried on must be the very latest and best. How are tlie best methods secured? A committee of the most skilful operatives in each department is selected by the great company, into whose charge is . given tlie matter of inspecting, originating, or rejecting the methods used. This committee overhauls the methods daily and the writer says that the language they employ when they strike a dull man who is not working in the right method is as follows: “Is that the way you do it ? No wonder you are out of it. You are a back number; See?” There is a tremendous significance in the above statement for every dairy farmer. every creamery and cheese factory operator to consider. The great Steel Corporation is turning the vivid search light of the trained brain, intense thinking and most exhaustive thought on every detail of its business. Ignorance cannot be tolerated for a moment. It will stand or fall, succeed or fail, according to tlie methods it employs. Is it not just as true of every dairy farmer and every creamery and cheese factory operator in the land? Can they afford to employ wasteful and worn out methods any more than anybody else? Can they afford to rest in contented ignorance of better methods when

a little rousing.of their minds and their thoughts wiil show them the better Avay. To thousands upon thousands of dairy farmers all over this land should come tlie sharp yet kindly criticism : “Is that the Avay you do it? No avoiider you are out of it. You are a back number; Seer” We once heard a Avise old German dairy farmer, who was a strong, Avideawako student of the best dairy methods, utter the following criticism of some of his neighbours who did not Avant to learn the better and more profitable Avay: “Veil I tell you. In dis country Avheri any man vants to make k.umbug mit himself den he got dot riyl 4.” The difference between the man who makes the largest profit out of coavs and the man who makes the least, is in the methods they employ. The first, Avorks hard to Iciioav what are good methods; tho second Avorks about as hard not to know. One sets his mind at Avork; the other rr,|)s his brain up in a napkin and Rys it aAvay.