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Organized Knowledge Paves the Way to Profits RGANIZED knowledge is ne- O = if a thorough analy- sis of a problem is to be made. All factors involved in a problem must be considered if accurate conclusions are to be obtained. Cargo handling operations planned on a basis of in- complete knowledge as to methods, types of equipment and the mechanical details of equipment, will not achieve as profitable results as when all this information is obtained. When a problem is studied in this manner, the facts needed cannot be obtained without the aid of organ- ized sources of information, except with the expenditure of time and money which is not always justified by the results obtainable. In modern America there are many organized. sources of informa- tion in the way of engineering indices, the trade press, books, asso- ciations and institutes and govern- ment bureaus that must be utilzed if the best results are desired. Mod- ern American business experience has proved conclusively that avail- ing oneself of these organized facts is not only well worth the effort but essential to a thoroughly well man- aged business. A man can carry only so much in- formation in his head. There is ad- ditional information available if he has the time and money to travel and read extensively but most execu- tives do not have time available for these activities and even if they did it would be impossible to get as much information as is obtainable through organized sources of infor- mation. The experience of thousands of men can be obtained by use of the trade press and indices which or- ganize this knowledge so that the information desired may be quickly 68 New Types of Gear are Constantly Developed located. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has a system of ecard indices covering thousands of magazines in many languages so that the knowledge contained in the trade press of the world is made available on cargo handling and other engineering subjects at a very small cost. This same service makes available the records of meetings of engineer- ing and other associations where practical men of industry get to- gether and interchange information about their experiences in working out problems they have had to solve. The men attending these meet- ings not only gain in the specific knowledge acquired but gain also in the stimulation of the mind which results in new ideas and new view- points. Often this result is of far greater value than specific facts ob- UUNUUUULSOOUTOOUONUUUOUTOYO DUNT Use of skid plat- forms for handling cargo has grown because progressive executives use organized know - ledge to cut costs. AVNQIQUUVUNUQQQUUGUONNNTUUUUIUOUENUUUUIUON MARINE REVIEW—November, 1931 tained at a meeting. An incorrect viewpoint of the cargo handling problem is the chief obstacle to a more rapid progress. The methods and equipment, and the men to put these into effective use are available, but the unprogressive viewpoints of executives prevent this. profitable result. It is particularly important in times of depression that view- points be changed so that modern methods and equipments and modern minded executives be permitted to cut costs and create profits. Knowledge is power and the more complete the knowledge the greater the power for profit, provided the acquisition of knowledge and its use is directed by those who understand the value of knowledge with respect to the problem at hand. Some engi- neers and some business executives will carry studies of a problem far beyond the point justified by the economic value of the results ob- tainable. The relationship’ of time and money expended must be con- sidered always, in relation to the results in dollars. Progress in cargo handling can be accelerated by a greater use of or- ganized sources of information now available but the use of this avail- able information and the stimulation of new viewpoints, rests to a large degree on the utilization of associa- tions, for the interchange of informa- tion and ideas. There are organi- zations of executives in existence that can be utilized in this manner. The success of similar organizations in other lines of activity and the need for a greater acceleration of cargo handling progress in times of depression make it important that something be done now and justi- fies any expense commensurate with results obtainable. Study Towboat Design The mechanical section of the Engi- neers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh section of the American Society of Mechanical Engi- neers held a joint meeting and inspec- tion trip on Oct. 8 in the interest of the design of river towboats. Members were invited to inspect three repre- sentative types of modern towboats which were docked in the Monongahela river. The meeting was held in the evening at the William Penn hotel. A general paper on “The Design of River Towboats” was contributed by T. R. Tarn, naval architect, Pittsburgh. Other papers, covering special phases, included one on “Boilers” by V. B. Ed- wards, vice president and chief engi- neer, Dravo Contracting Co., Pitts- burgh; “Unaflow Engines as Applied to River Towboats” by Herman C. Mueller, chief engineer, Skinner En- gine Co., Erie, Pa.; and “Diesel Engine Drive” by J. C. Barnaby, consulting marine engineer, Worthington Pump & Machinery Corp., New York.