Engin 12-16-51 FOREWORD Everything which the Department of the Interior does involves, at some stage, the use of typewritten words. They are so much with us that we must guard against the danger of using more of them than are needed or of becoming slipshod in their choice and presentation. Like the Department's objectives, which they help us to attain, our letters, memoranda, and documents are important-not only to us and the recipients, but in many cases, to large groups of persons who may be affected by the actions and policies with which our writings deal. The necessity for care in the preparation and handling of typewritten material cannot be overemphasized. In substance, tone, and appearance, communications and documents should be finished products of which we can be justly proud. They should be concise, yet complete, correct and above all, clear. Their style and appearance should invite reading, not discourage it. When signed and dispatched, they should be clean and crisp, not smudged and dog-eared. The creation and transmission of such products call for teamwork by the dictators, stenographers, messengers, mail center personnel, administrative officials, reviewers, and all others concerned. For their convenience and guidance, this Correspondence and Style Handbook establishes official, uniform standards which are to be followed in the preparation and handling of correspondence, documents, and manuscripts in all bureaus and offices of the Department of the Interior. This Handbook, which represents a revision and expansion of the Stenographers' Handbook, is the result of many months of work by a Department-wide committee, of which Mrs. Dora M. Ihle served as chairman. I wish to express appreciation to her and each member of the committee for their painstaking work; to Mr. Robert E. Day, Mr. W. H. McCrillis, and Mr. H. A. Stevens, author of the Stenographers' Handbook previously used by this Department, for their editorial services; to Mr. John H. Ady for his guidance on printing and binding of the book; and to their many helpers for their contributions. This Handbook should be studied diligently and consulted regularly by employees throughout the Department in order that all may be familiar with and benefit from the procedures and practices described. Its instructions are sound and workable, and if adhered to, they will help us to produce the kind of communications and documents which will reflect credit upon this Department. gating Secretary of the Interior. III |