Judge, 1919-05-17 · page 5 of 32
Judge — May 17, 1919 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Beauties of System" - Analysis This is a satirical article by E. Albert Apple about business management efficiency. The top illustration shows office workers managing filing cabinets and card index systems—the "beauties of system" referenced in the title. The main text describes a narrator who hires a systems expert to reorganize his struggling business. The expert insists on implementing cost controls and inventory management using card index systems—then modern innovations in business organization. The embedded cartoon labeled "Pegasus Rebels" (drawn by A.B. Walker) shows Pegasus, the mythical winged horse, being controlled by Mars (god of war). The caption "Mars, the public is tired of you in every way" appears to be separate political commentary, likely about militarism or war. The satire likely mocks both overzealous system-building and contemporary attitudes toward organization and control in business.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Number 9!” I Cattep to tHe Orrice Boy, “ Bkinc Me NumBer 286-y.”" i altictot, SERBABBE SAB He Broucut a Cuspipor The Beauties of System By EE. Avpert AppLe Illustration DECIDED toinstall a system. All my business friends had systems—and each boasted at the club that his was the best. “Miss Squeak,” I instructed my stenographer, “I find my system needs immediate attention. Get a man at once.” He car He was a somber individual who talked from the sub-tellar of his abdomen. “When did you first decide you needed my help?” “Tt’s been coming over me gradually. Friends keep telling me my system is not what it should be. An hour ago, I decided it needed a general overhauling.” “T suggest an iron tonic. Let me see your tongue.” “Are you an installer of systems?” I demanded. “No, I’m a doctor.” “Tt’s the wrong kind of system builder,” I coldly in- formed him. ‘Good-day, sir! Finally we got the right man. I was delighted. “They call me stem Jones,” he id gravely. “Do you have a cost sys- tem?” No.” Ah! then how do you know you are making mon “I started with nothing. Now I owe nothing and have money in the bank.” He frowned. “I observe you lack the first principles of sys- tem.” I saw Drawn by A.B. Watsem he was Pecasus ResBets “Mars, the public is tired of you in every way” 5 by Avsert Leverinc displeased. I would leave it to him. He was a sys- tem expert. “We must have a cost system—at once,” he in- sisted. ‘All progressive business houses have them. Also we must install a running inventor! Cards on each bin to show exact number in stock. As you add to the bin, you add to the card; as you take from the bin, you subtract from the card. A glance shows the exact quantity of stock. It’s a wonderful idea.” “But we manufacture unboxed tacks in bulk.” His frown was thunderous. “But you must have it,” he declared. “All pro- gressive business houses have it. Besides, it is the first time it has been done in the history of your industry. Maybe the trade journals will write you up. Have you a card index system?” “No. What will we use a card index system for?” de- cide later. The im- portant point is, we must have a card in- dex system. I will now begin my sur- vey.” Five weeks passed. A carload of filing cabinets and printed forms ar- rived. The systems were installed. il hired four extra men in the office to help keep the system. We got behind and be gan to work nights.