Mechanized Unit Reporting [Discussion]

The very title of this paper brings to some minds the thought of push-button statistics , of simply deciding upon what is wanted and "letting the machines do the work". Mr. Barber makes clear, though with due modesty he does not stress, the careful planning and continual vigilance which is required to maintain the 80-colunm accuracy which is a prerequisite for success in a large scale undertaking of this kind. The report indicates that the development of the mechanical process was facilitated by previous experience with the use of continuous forms in typing unit reports under the method previously employed. Every punch card is verified and carefully guarded while in transit from punching to tabulating, indicating that the personnel has had experience with the maintenance of accounting accuracy with alphabetic equipment. The ingenious use of special type-bars to translate coverage codes into symbols evokes admiration on its own account, but the final accomplishment is no mere trick , to be achieved by anybody merely by the use of special gadgets.