13
New Ideas and Improved Methods
FLOYD QUERY,
It is the purpose of this column to Ideas, Editor, 161$ Nebraska Avenue,
make better known the new ideas and Salem, Oregon.
improved methods devised by State A n Im proved Method
employees. Industry and government
A. M. Burt of Woodburn, a section
have found in their employees a fertile crew forman for the State Highway
source of new ideas. They have found Department, devised a method for ap
too, that by encouraging employees to plying fine crushed rock to icy road
make known their ideas, that material surfaces. That was the original purpose
savings and improvements can be of the device. Since then it has been
made.
used for many other purposes. Mr.
Employees suggestions adopted by Burt and his Superintendent, F. W.
the Northwest Airlines have saved Farrar, took the idea to E. F. Halik,
more than $300,000 in two years. Master Mechanic, who turned the mak
Nearly 6000 suggestions have been re ing of the device over to John Harns
ceived. The Southern Pacific has de berger, Blacksmith Foreman. John add
voted considerable advertising space to ed some ideas and refinements with
savings and improvements devised by the result that a very satisfactory tail
its employees. General Motors has a gate shutoff was made. It will open
plan for utilizing and rewarding em and close on either or both sides w ith
ployees for good ideas. The huge ship out lowering the truck bed or stop
yards in Portland also make good use ping the truck. Operations can be con
of ideas and methods submitted by em ducted by one man on a truck at least
ployees. Some branches of the federal five times faster than was possible
government have had unusual success before. W ith the old method it was
with the use of the "Idea Box” for necessary to have two men on each
governmental employees.
truck, one of whom had to shovel by
It has been recognized by all of these hand out of the truck bed. This method
agencies that the executive head, com was painfully slow, cold, and oft times
petent though he is, cannot think of dangerous.
everything. He cannot be expected to
Mr. Burt’s idea and its use has saved
devise all the details of a project. Here many dollars for the taxpayers, besides
is where the door has been opened to providing protection for the traveling
admit the ideas of the employee who 'public when it is most needed. Inci
works with the details.
dentally, the cost to build one of these
State employees and department tail-gate arrangements is only $14.
heads are invited to send in their ideas
for better ways of doing things, or ex
All Oregon State Employees are in
amples of new methods that have been
adopted. We want data from all state vited to join The Oregon State Em
departments. Be sure to mention the ployees Association. If you desire more
name or names of the persons devising information please write to Forrest V.
it; where he or she works; what the
ideas or improvement is, and the sav Stewart, Executive Secretary, 141 New
ing in time or money possible by its Bligh Building, Salem, Oregon or call
use. Mail all suggestions to The New Salem 7998.
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