232 PROPOSED SYSTEM. 



stores, as when an ordnance establishment is broken up, the con- 

 tents of each box or other package would be represented by the 

 cards made out as the articles were put in, keeping as far as pos- 

 sible those of the same name together in the same box. Thus, 

 box No. 1 1 might contain 23 halters, 18 stirrups, 2 carbines made 

 out on three cards ; if there should be found room in it for 2 

 more halters, a separate card for 2 halters would make all right; 

 or the number on the first card might be altered from 23 to 25. 

 So in case some of the halters are taken out, to make room for 

 other stores. 



The top card of the lot or pile representing the contents of 

 each box is to be marked in the package space with the kind of 

 package, its weight and its measure if the shipment requires it. 



These cards, going to the stock clerk, may be sorted first by 

 packages, so as to show the actual contents of each package for 

 the quartermaster's invoice, and then by items, bringing all the 

 halters, carbines, etc., together for entry on the invoices and the 

 classified journal slips to be described. 



The value of such a plan will be appreciated by any one who 

 has had to break up arsenals or depots, or to receive their con- 

 tents. I have in mind such a case, embracing 693 items, 1,677,- 

 486 articles in 2,052 packages, which required about four months 

 for its settlement at the receiving end only. Had there been no 

 list or book, with its entries scattered over it and constantly over- 

 running, altered or erased, to confine the work to one man, 

 twenty men might have been set to counting, each having before 

 him one package at a time, the contents of which he would 

 enter as described on cards ; a separate card for every separate 

 name comprised in the contents of the package. The chief 

 packer would have compared the cards with the contents of the 

 boxes as the latter were repacked and would have punched them 

 if correct. Making out correct invoices or receipts would then 

 have been an easy matter. 



In cases of issue the Commanding Officer's punch-mark should 

 not precede the packing. If great particularity were required, 

 the packer might punch the L. S. section to attest the packing 

 of the stores and defer punching " Issued " until he had received 



