Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-30
STUDYING MANY TOPICS
SUBJECTS BEING CONSIDERED BY
THE KEEP COMMISSION.

Assistant Secretary Keep, who Is the
chairman of the departmental commission
that is busy seeking to better conditions
and methods in the government service.
said today, when asked by a Star reporter.
that the subcommittee handling a variety
of subjects are still at work and that there
is much to be done. He thinks 1t will take
a good many months before his commission
finishes it's work and hands in its final re-
port to the President. Just at this time
most of the members of the commission
are out Of the city, and the commission
itself is not making personal Investigations.
It is awaiting reports from subcommittee
Purchase of Supplies.
Probably the most important committee
now at work is that handling the question
of the purchase Of supplies by the depart
ments. 1t was the random. unsympathetic
purchasing of supplies by the departments
that led the President to appoint the Keep
commission.
In his instructions to that commission he
dealt especially with this matter. The
commission appointed subcommittee
headed by Prof. Stratt0n of the bureau or
standards and composed of purchasing Of
ficiais OF the departments. The subcom-
mittee Is nearing the end OF it's task, and
will soon be ready to make report. 1t Is
probable that the subcommittee VIII rec
ommend central purchasing agency,
through which every department of the
government will buy. For years each de-
partment has made its own purchases, with
the result that some departments have paid
more for Identical goods than others In
many instances the difference in prices paid
has been marked. 1t Is the desire Of the
President to have this changed. as he feels
that the government can save much money
and obtain better grade of supplies.
Freight and Transportation Accounts.
Another important committee that is fin
ishing It's labors is that on shipping freight
and settling transportation accounts. The
establishment of large shipping center,
possibly in New York. has for some time
been talked Of. Each department now ships
supplies to It's agents and employees In It's
own way. 1t Is claimed that the govern
ment could save money and facilitate bust
ness by shipping most of its supplies from
New York instead Of Washington. The
claim is made that better freight rates
can be obtained from New York than from
Washington.
The government has thousands of en-
ployes on railroads and the settlement
Of their travelling accounts has been with
out much system, one department making
q certain allowance and another differ
ent allowance. Uniformity of charges has
been lacking.
Department Bookkeeping.
The methods of bookkeeping in the Office
of the warrant division of the treasury and
elsewhere are being considered. and 1t Is
proposed to submit the recommendations of
this subcommittee to committee of ex-
pert accountants outside the department.
so as to get the best advice to be had.
Official bonds and the methods of auditing
In the auditors offices is another subject
that is engaging the attention OF COM
petent subcommittee. Another committee Is
Investigating the question of sick and an
nual leaves In the departments, and the
equalization of the hours Of labor. Still an
other committee Is looking after the print
ing department of the government. the
editing of documents and the elimination
of useless printing.
The scope OF the work ia 30 extensive
that even Chairman Keep does not have the
least idea how soon he will be able to sub
NIT to the President the recommendations
that his commission will make.