Use of Maps. A precaution on construction work that is very seldom taken by contractors generally, and one that is a most certain saver of money, is to have a complete map of the work to a large scale carefully prepared, on which should be indicated day by day the progress of the work. This map, if kept up to date, will enable the manager of a company, or the president and directors, to know in detail the progress of the work, without necessarily going out on the work; and from it can be found the quantities of needed materials, such as rail, pipe, etc.
Standard Instructions. Every organization doing field work would do well to follow the custom admirably illustrated by Frank B. Gilbreth, of issuing regular standard instructions to foremen and to employees generally. These instructions have been published in book form by the Myron C. Clark Publishing Company, and are an admirable example of the type. The idea follows that of the old Railroad Company's "Book of Rules" that will tend toward evading similar accidents in the future. In this manner eventually a contractor can obtain a control of his organization, and a freedom from accidents, that will be extremely valuable.
Chronological Charts. These are intended to show the proposed time of completion in certain parts of the work. A valuable aid to a manager on work requiring a large amount of material, and where there is a small amount of available space, is a chart showing the time and quantity of expected materials and supplies. This will enable him to see at a glance where he may expect to be in the matter of his materials, and will tend to relieve his mind of one of its most annoying problems. These same charts can also show him the estimated times of completion of certain parts of the work.
REVIEW QUESTIONS.
PRACTICAL TEST QUESTIONS.
In the foregoing sections of this Cyclopedia numerous illustrative examples are worked out in detail in order to show the application of the various methods and principles. Accompanying these are examples for practice which will aid the reader in fixing the principles in mind.
In the following pages are given a large number of test questions and problems which afford a valuable means of testing the reader's knowledge of the subjects treated. They will be found excellent practice for those preparing for Civil Service Examinations. In some cases numerical answers are given as a further aid in this work.