=Interdepartment Correspondence.= Of considerable importance in every large organization is the interdepartment correspondence--the notes from one department head to another. Every department head finds it necessary at times to request information from other departments. Even with an intercommunicating telephone system, with which every large office and plant should be equipped, many of these requests are of a nature that, to guard against misunderstandings, demand written communications. Usually, these communications call for prompt replies; a letter from a customer may be held or some important action delayed until the information is received. A good rule for the correspondent is to give attention to these notes as soon as received, and answer them at the earliest possible moment. The stenographer should, as a rule, write these notes first, or if written in the order in which they are dictated, should place them on the correspondent's desk immediately. Of course, judgment must be exercised, for some of these notes do not require immediate attention and should be held until more important correspondence is disposed of. There are also many notes giving instructions, either from a department head to his subordinates, or from the executive heads to the heads of departments. Except on general orders, affecting all employes, the names of all department heads to whom the order applies, should appear at the head of such notes. The manager may wish to call attention to some act, common to all department heads, without making it a personal matter with any one of them, so writes the same note to all. For example: July 15, 1909. Mr. Blake, Mr. Watson, Mr. Kimball, Mr. Cobb, Mr. Royce, Gentlemen; During the past few days some of you have been a little careless about getting to the office on time. If you arrive 5 or 10 minutes late, it will have a very unfortunate effect on the discipline of your department, and I trust that each of you will strive to overcome the habit of arriving late--a habit which, I am sure, is entirely due to carelessness on your part. Yours truly, General Manager. In the above example, five copies of the note are required, and four of these can be carbon copies. When Mr. Blake or Mr. Watson receives the note, he knows that it is not addressed to him alone, but that each of the others has received a copy. Without detracting from, but rather adding to, its effectiveness, this note leaves a much more pleasant impression than a personal note to each man. No one man feels that he has been singled out for criticism. CORRESPONDENCE SHORT CUTS =Dictating by Number.= One of the greatest time savers in handling correspondence is dictation by numbers. The plan is to indicate each letter by a number, instead, of requiring the stenographer to take down the name and address.