Part 54

DEVICES OF THE FUTURE

One of the successful devices which is being perfected at this time is a combination of an adding machine and a cylinder billing machine which can be operated as a combined machine or separately as two machines, and may be actually removed, one from another. The idea is to have a platen or roll which can act as shuttle between the typewriter and the adding machine. By pressing a button, the roll travels from the typewriter to the adding machine. This scheme has the same advantage as has the farmer who can operate his horses singly or in pairs.

The adding machine people have been experimenting and gradually increasing the printing capacity of their machines. They are now able to print the different months of the year and some other abbreviations for monthly statement work. Further developments can be expected along this line. Adding machines which list are a very important factor in office work and their capacity is so large for certain classes of work that space does not permit of detailed treatment here.

Fig. 29. Adding and Subtracting Machine Combined with Cylinder Billing Machine Remington Typewriter Co. ]

While marvelous improvements have been made in the last decade, the next one promises equally well, especially in the adding-machine line.

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.

REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THE SUBJECT OF COMMISSION AND STORAGE

1. What advantages are derived from a division of the ledger? Name the three most common subdivisions of the ledger.

2. What accounts are kept in the purchase ledger; in the sales ledger; in the general ledger? Under what circumstances should accounts with an individual be kept in both purchase and sales ledgers?

3. What is a controlling account? What do the balances of sales and purchase controlling accounts represent? From what sources are the debits and credits to these accounts derived?

4. When loose-leaf order blanks are used, what is the customary routine followed in filling and charging orders?

5. For what purposes are special distribution columns in a sales book used?

6. To what accounts in the general ledger are total purchases, as shown by the invoice register, posted? In what way are these two accounts distinguished?

7. Describe briefly the cash journal, and explain how it is used? What, if any, objection can be raised to making entries which do not involve an exchange of cash, or its equivalent, in the cash journal?

8. Why is the expense account divided? Name some of the accounts representing different classes of expense.

9. What is meant by petty cash, and how should the account with petty cash be handled?

10. The check of Martin Mason for $164.20 went to protest, and was returned by our bank with a protest fee of $2.50. What entry is necessary to record this on our books?

11. Prepare trading and profit and loss accounts representing the transactions listed in Art. 16, Pages 28 to 31, inclusive.

12. How can an order record be used as a sales record? Why is an abstract of sales used in connection with such sales records? Explain how this abstract is made up.

13. If goods are sold at f. o. b. prices, but the freight is prepaid as an accommodation to the customer, how should it be treated on the books? Why?

14. Name three or more subdivisions of sales expense, and explain what items are properly included in each.

15. Why are check registers taking the place of the old style check book? When a check register is used, how are the checks kept?

16. What is a cash received book, and for what purpose is it used?

17. Complete the exercise given at the end of Art. 29, Page 42.

18. What is your understanding of the meaning of the terms commission and brokerage? What is the distinction between a commission merchant and a merchandise broker?