Store-keeping in the Railway
Suppliers' Viewpoint

Keeping shop is a game all children enjoy, particularly when the rules allow the making of money to the heart's content.

When Germany went in for an inflated currency, she carried the game so far that the wildest dreams of childhood were overstepped, and the paper mark as a means of exchange became absolutely valueless.

There is a kind of paper currency in use by the Railway Department known as an approved S.3 which secures for the Requisitioning Officer, without any further payment, whatever commodities entered thereon may be passed for issue, and this currency has the additional fascination that no matter how much it is over-worked, it never drops in value.

It is a cheque drawn for an indeterminate amount which, when duly countersigned, produces the goods required.

The convenience of such a system is beyond question, but it is quite likely that if employees were dealing in actual money they would appreciate more thoroughly the value of the articles supplied through the medium of the stores requisition form.

The ordering, control, and distribution of stores for Departmental requirements is an undertaking of considerable magnitude calling for keen, well-trained business capacity to ensure the successful economic management of its wide-spread phases.

The Stores Branch, under the leadership of its present head, has adopted many improvements in keeping with the best modern railway practice.

Mr. Guinness in his capacity as Comptroller of Stores, is keen on economy, modern methods, and further education of the staff in the proper ordering, distribution, and use of materials.

“If,” said Mr. Guinness, “they could realise and bear constantly in mind that stores cost money, every approving officer, every requisitioning officer, would see that a very close watch was kept over the ordering, approval and use of supplies.

The porter, who, in making up disinfectant calling for proportions of 1 in 400, uses a 1 in 50 mixture; the man who leaves a broom out in the rain; the employee who needlessly discards material of any kind which is capable of being put to further effective service—is, each in his own way, causing waste that eats up money and has inevitably a bad effect upon the general conditions under which employment and operations proceed.”