The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-16
PROBE FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS
SWEEPING INVESTIGATION BEING
MADE At WASHINGTON.
Method OF Conducting Business OF the
Government Likely to he Rev oluti ON.
ized-MOre Grating May BE Disci Osed
-Probers Appointed by President.


ized-More Grating May BE Discios
--PrObers Appointed by President.
WASHINGTON, June 15.-The manner OF
conducting business In the several depart
ments of the Government will in all proba-
blity be revoutionized as the result Of an
investigation now being made under the
direction Of President Roosevelt. Tho
inquiry in question Is in charge OF COM
mittee composed Of five OF the more promi-
nent younger men Of the administration, all
OF them close personal friends OF the Presi-
dent. James r. Garfield, Commissioner
Of Corporations, Is understood to be the
chairman Of this committee Of inquiry.
Clifford Pinchot. Chief Forester OF the
tary Of the Treasury; Mr.. Murray, As
sistant Secretary Of the Department Of
Commerce and Labor, and Mr.. Hitchcock.
First Assistant Postmaster General, are
the other members.
Tho committee has already made con-
siderable progress. although until this
time the public has not been advised OF
It's operations. It IA understood that the
committee has 40 far devoted itself to one
department much to the annoyance Of the
head OF that department, who believes,
1t is said. that the various bureaus under
his direction are up to date In every re-
spect.
What occasio ned this Investigate on, which
is comprehensive In it's scope, embracing
every detail Of depart mental administration,
including the manner OF despatching the
routine business the systems followed in
ma king dis bursements and the methods
employed in making contracts. is not made
clear. IA an incident Of the postal scandal
1t was developed that the gross frauds
perpetrated in tho Depart ment were the
outgrowth Of lax methods in handling public
moneys and an responsibility on the part
Of many officials due to divided authority.
Up to the time Postmaster General Payne
reor ganized 1t the Department really ran
Itself. all the work being practically done
by subor dinatee superior officers signing
papers prepared by their subordinates.
Lax business methods were responsible
In the opinion Of those who were on the
inside during the scandal inquiry for the
grating done by August W. Machen,
George Beavers and other former officials
who have since been indicted or convicted
| The Department is now established on a
business basis. Allowances for the inn
| pr ovement Of the postal service are now
based upon the needs Of the public instead
| Of upon the will or within of Senators and
Representatives in Congress.
If methods we're loose in the Post Office
| Department. IL Is fair to assume said an
official, that they are loose in other
branches Of the Government. The recent
defalcation in the Smithsonian Institution
| Is a good illustration OF the possibility OF
| fraud in the public service nowadays"
1t Is understood that Mr.. Garfield and his
colleagues have been authorized by the
President to make a searching inquiry into
every bureau and department In Washing
| ton. The President is credited with the
| introduction OF many administrative re-
| forms since he has been in the White House,
and his friends say that II he can establish
up to date business methods in the conduct
| OF public affairs and throw the greatest
possible safeguards around the expenditure
OF public moneys before he retires he will
consider 1t not the least OF the accomplish
ments Of his administration.
! 1t was pointed out to-day that in en-
trusting this work to subordinates the
President takes q chance Of disturbing the
peaceful relations that now exist in his
official family, There is good reason to
believe that one member OF the Cabinet has
already expressed some irritation oveI
what his friends term the inquisitoria
methods of the Garfield commission. 1t is
not generally known yet among the 200ot
or more employees in the Government
service that their work has come within
the focus Of a commission created by the
President but the fact cannot longer b.
concealed from them.
For some years" said departmental
official to-day, things have been running
along In free and easy manner in the
service. 1t Is safe to say that the Govern
ment does not get nearly as much work
out OF clerk az would private corpo
ration or an individual. The average
clerk takes things as they come, and per
forms his allotted task with his eye Away:
on the clock and having no real pride il
his work. The commission has got {
big Job on its hands. but it will undoubtedly
do great deal of good. 1t is high time
that the antiquated forms followed in the
despatch of public business should b'
suppanted by the modern and up to date
methods of private corporations and firms :"
HOT WEATHER DOG CHASE.