CHAPTER VI. 



PRESENT SYSTEM. 



B. INTERNAL RELATIONS. 

 (ADMINISTRATION.) 



GIVING ORDERS. 



Orders are given in writing for important work, and verbally 

 for minor matters. 



If given in writing, the orders are sometimes entered in a 

 " fabrication book " showing date, authority, purpose, Command- 

 ing Officer's signature, and finally a column for the date when 

 their completion is reported. 



Sometimes the orders are in letters or notes to the Master 

 Workman or foremen; and often, particularly in large orders 

 which have been long discussed and for the beginning of which 

 no certain time is set, the written order is omitted altogether. 



However the orders may be given, they are generally entered by 

 the foreman in a memorandum book in the order in which 

 received. His intention is to keep this book with him as a re- 

 minder of what work is incomplete, finished jobs being crossed 

 off as they are done. These being reported to the office, the 

 date of completion is entered on the fabrication book, and the 

 circle is complete. 



This seems at first sight a very natural and sufficiently perfect 

 way of keeping track of orders ; but it is open to the following 

 grave objections: 



1. The entry is only a memorandum; nothing depends on it; 

 nothing prevents work from beginning before the entry is made, 

 or from continuing after it is crossed off as complete. 



2. Beginning and ending with himself, as the foreman's entry 



