The Washington times., 1908-03-17
THE WASHINGTON TINES TUESDAY, MARCH II, 1908

tition.' says the report, land in some
cases supplies were furnished at a price
nuch greater than that charged by
other companies for similar material.
some instances larger supplies have
been laid In than were required"
lie committee reports the award OF
a contract for the complete refurnish-
ing OF the job room at a total cost Of
Sls.lSs-25, which Il states to be entirely
unWaTanted.
The report shows that the number OF
officials and clerks in the administrative
branch of tho office Increased from
20 on July i, 1868, to $50 on Jan
uary ]. 1903, and their Compensation
from Sl26,0o9.9i TO Sl95. 47i44. The In
crease IN the six months preceding jan
uary i, 1903. was 70 in number and
so, "a 20 in compensation.
The number Of clerks increased from
81 in 1905 10 rs in 1905, this increase be-
ing accompanied by an advance in coin
pensauOn from Sl5.238 to Sl47.3O0A. II is
said that large part or this expense is
due 70 the cost of maintaining the
Audit System OF cost accounting. Also.
Ih4t there - now a larger official and
clerical force than is needed and that
IN many cases compensation allowed is
out Of proportion 10 that of the grades
established by Congress for the execu-
live departments.
Many Typesetting Machines.
The report doubts the economy in in
stalling SO many typesetting machines
at one time, ana concludes that the or
hce has all the machinery that il should
be required 10 purchase for many years
10 come.
Mr. Suilings, in replying TO the Eos-
sitter report makes the claim that ho
was matted in the midst OF his work
ana that within eight months the Gov
t sIillileht Frlnung Office would have
Deen made model plant He s,ys the
Auult System was allowed 70 furnish
supplies in order TO expedite the work
OF the system
lie adds. however. that in the light
on recent events, IL would have been
better not % have purchased anything
OF the Apdit SYSTEM.
ne statement that an annual eX-
pehdLture or Sl4l .50e.2J will be required
20 maintain the cost analysis estab-
usheu by the Audit System IS omen 10
question as 7 do not think when il is
iully established IL VIII cost 80 much. d"
states Air, StillIngs.
However. The comparison OF the cost
OF the new system with the exBendi-
Jure covering all similar work under
the old system Of 81. % is absurd. There
never has been a cOst-analysis system
ID the Government Printing Office such
as IS inquired 70 cost &lfI 80 - The pres
ent Bookkeeping system, which IL IS
plainly admitted BY tho investigating
committee possesses some merits and
Is principally to be criticised upon the
score that IN an attempt 10 secure all
classes OF detail the amount Of labor
entalled upon each GmplCye for the pur-
pose OF recording necessary facts and
the amount Of labor required for subse-
quent fluctuations were so great As TO
make the system almost prohibitive.' as
compared with the old method Of ChGrg-
ing which the report states was rudi-
mentary. incomplete, and doubtless in
accurate is, 10 say the least mar
propriate and susceptible OF dec uctions
unfaVOra bic to the committee
Whether j Is cheaper to eXpend ap-
prcXimately S147, 3002i TO maintain a sys-
tenn possessing some merits and crit
cised only on account Of its attempting
10 DO too much. or 10 eXpend approx
mately $1,000 on q Sp-Salled system
which Is stated as 'rudimentary, incom-
plete. and doubtless inaccurate
leave 10 your judgment"