Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-28
FRAUDS ON THE GOVERNMENT.
Very Small in Proportion to the Bust
ness Involved.

Very Small in Proporuon 70 tho DUEL
ness Involved.
To the Editor Of Tie Evening Star:
There has been an unusual amount or ois-
cussion during the past few months as 10
looseness Of method and wastefulness IN
the expenditures Of some of the government
departments. wonder II many OF our cit'-
zens realize how vast the business OF the
government really Is? Look at q few ns-
ures. Last year our national income was
$562. AIS, 233. and we had an excess OF reve-
nue. over ordinary expenses OF @l.SS''oo
The cost Of running the War Department
was SIP 272, 216: Navy Department, $o''-
500, 12S The nation paid out to the inoians
$1,000 585, and for pensions, SIZE. ABB. ooU' 70
nearly one million persons. While the OK
penses of the other branches of the govern
ment. including the payment OF about twen-
ty-nine millions OF interest on the pnOnc
debt, rose to the large sum of yl4Z5l SOY:
ment were nearly s125 100000. distributed
among 10000 post offices: $3.50 200 was
transferred in domestic money ORDERS
while the International money orders num-
bered /, 81. 900. and amounted 10 $ZZ.9l4,4so:
The number of pieces of postal matter OF
all kinds carried in the United States mails
amounted to about 100000, O00-so large
we can hardly comprehend the ngures.
The reader can readily understand the de-
Treasury and Interior Departments extend
ing to so many branches of service. 1t ID
marvellous that there have been SO rev
defaults and peculations-that the vast ma
jority of the officials and employees have
been faithful in the discharge of duty.
Economy of method involves another
question. 1t depends largely upon the per-
sonal qualifications and experience OF those
who are at the heads OF the various depart
mentS and bureaus.
The greatest difference Is apparent to the
casual observer in the conduct Of the bust
ness Of the several offices. In some the en-
ployes are overworked in crowded rooms
in others there is apparently surplus or
leisure, as we'll as of room.
Under our system of political appoint
ments we can hardly hope for an Improve
ment, so far as the cost Is concerned, untli
new and radical examinations are made by
practical men whose experience In life mas
been with business and Its affairs.
When an administration changes those
who are placed in control while as a rule,
men Of large capacity; are appointed as
political recognition
Would large business firms, with enorm-
GUS transactions long continue prosperous
if they pursued the same plan! and from
friendship or gratitude put men at the head
of the different departments of their esIaD-
lishments. who were almost entirely de-
pendent on their employees?
Many Of the rooms in our departments
have never been visited by cabinet oHcer
and yet transactions amounting to many
millions of dollars have been conducted
there.
In view of the fact that the income de-
mands and expenditures of the government
are so rapidly growing. would 1t not be a
good idea to have board of control or ad-
vice composed Of a practical representative
from each department. who shall carefully
examine any increase in business involving
additional expense and report In writing at
stated periods to the heads of the several
departments, with their joint recommended
ton?
In addition to this. frequent conferences
between cabinet officers and bureau officers,
with a general exchange of views ON the
same plan adopted by most of our large
commercial houses. would be an easy way
to keep in close touch with the vast re-
quirements of public affairs. which seem SO
frequently to suffer for want Of centralized
control B. H. WARNER