Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 304, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1918 — HE CUT ERD TAPE [ARTICLE]

HE CUT ERD TAPE

A With toe Fo^Sblo^»y^ r H« < * Preferred to Pay for Anything r That Ho Might Require. —— I wanted a wire paper clip. Mlsn she would fetch some from the storekeeper. That’s what started the matter. I pinned the loose. papers together and went on with my work. The storekeeper had evidently refused to part with any clips Without: an order. Miss Smith brought me aprinted foldeFtontalnlng a request for “paper clips, wire,”<*which she had typed in triplicate on pip* headed •“Ministry of Eqpnomy. For departs mental use only.” She said it was ths right thing to do and I was to sign IL and then Mr. Jones, downstairs, would deal with it. It sounded quite innocent; t initialed it without misgiving. '■’■'-Later in the week the folder came _hptk. It contained several extra Sheets- of paper and had evidently traveled. The first minute was from Mr. Jones: “In reference to Mr. Temporary’s request for paper clips, wire, for departmental use, I fail to see what advantage these have over paper dips, brass, which are in use in my department” , Mr. Robinson said that the question opened, a wide field, and he had requested the storekeeper to let him know how many paper clips, brass, he had in stock. “Bee attached sheets A and Al.” These were a formal request to the storekeeper, and his reply, to say be had 37 one-gross boxes on hand and one box, partly opened, which he estimated to contain 60. If the exact

number, was required he would have toe dips counted. 7 Mr. Short pointed out that bis colleagues had not noticed that the matter was one which came within the province of the ministry of wire drawing. He had consequently put through a request for a price at which paper clips, wire, could be supplied. He attached a carbon copyof his letter, and a reply from the applied wire department, ministry of wire drawing, to say the matter was receiving attention and would be dealt with in due time. The next minute was frbnra gentleman who had evidently set the vast machinery of the directorate of office supplies and sundries at work. Attached were papers from them to say they had paper clips, wire, as well as paper clips, brass, in stock. They wished to be certain that no change in design was necessary, and were sending, by motor, samples of the paper (wire) /they had in stock, as perhaps' one or\other might prove suitable. - Appende® were other papefs of which the first Was from the ciuefofthe departmental garage to* say liAhad a motor at Huntingdon awaiting'ayhsmsignment of paper A He had instructed the driver to return‘at once. his arrival he would requested. . '. .. \ ■ y As this point Mist Smith entered t ■ “Will you make ouy an /order for a typewriter eraser?” / “No,” I answered 'firpaly. "YOU will please give this dime to one of the and ask her to go out and buy one!”—S. P., in London Malt