The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
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the cost of engineering and construc-
ton is due TO a substantial enlarge
.nent of the plan of construction by
widening the canal 100 feet in the
Culebra cut and by increasing the di-
mansions of the locks, to the under
estimate of the quantity of the work
to be done under the original plan.
and. to an underestimate of the cost of
labor and materials both of which
have greatly enhanced in price since
he original estimate was made.
Estimates to Be Made Low.
In order to avoid a deficit for the
ensuing fiscal year, 1 directed the
heads of departments in the prepara-
ton of their estimates to make them
as low as possible consistent with i'm
rerative governmental necessity. The
result has been, as am advised by the
secretary of the treasury, that the
estimates for the expenses of the gov
eminent for the next fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1911, are less than the
appropriations for this current fiscal
year by $42,S1S.0O0. So far as the
secretary of the treasury is able to
form a judgment as to future income
and compare it with the expenditures
for the fiscal year ending June 80.
S11, and excluding payments on ac-
count of the Panama canal, which will
doubtless be taken up by bonds, there
will be surplus of $35.931,00O.
Cut to the Quick.
In the present estimates the needs OF
the departments and of the govern
ment have been cut to the quick. SO to
speak, and any assumption on the part
of congress, so often made in times
past, that the estimates have been pre-
pared with the expectation that they
may be reduced will result in seriously
hampering proper administration.
The secretary of the treasury points
out. what should be carefully noted in
respect to this reduction in govern
mental expenses for the next fiscal
year, that the economies are of two
kinds-flrst, there is a saving in the
permanent administration of the de-
partments, bureaus and offices of the
government, and, second, there is q
present reduction in expenses by a
postponement of projects and i'm
provements that ultimately will have
10 be carried out but which are now
delayed with the hope that additional
revenue in the future will permit their
execution without producing deficit
/ am aware that there is a strong
feeling in both houses of congress and
possibly In the country against the
esta blishment Of civil pensions and
that this has naturally grown out of
the heavy burden of military pensions
which 1t has always been the policy
Of our government to assume, but am
strongly convinced that no other prac-
teal solution of the difficulties pre-
scented by the approximation of civil
servants can be found than that Of
system of civil pensions.
increase In Expenditures.
The business and expenditures Of the
government have expanded enormous
ly since the Spanish war, but as the
revenues have increased in nearly the
same proportion as the expenditures
until recently the attention of the pub
lie and of those responsible for the
government has not been fastened
upon the question of reducing the cost
of administration. We cannot, in view
of the advancing prices of living, hope
to save money by a reduction in the
standard of salaries paid. Indeed, If
any change is made IN that regard an
increase rather than a decrease will be
necessary, and the only means of econ
omy will be in reducing the number of
employees and in obtaining greater
average of efficiency from those re-
tanned in the service.
Close investigation and study needed
TO make definite recommendations in
this regard will consume at least two
years. / note with much satisfaction
the organization In the senate of a
committee on public expenditures,
charged with the duty of conducting
such an investigation, and 1 tender to
that committee all the assistance which
the executive branch of the govern
ment can possibly render.
Frauds In the Collections of Customs.
regret to refer to the fact of the
discovery Of extensive frauds in the
collection Of the customs revenue at
New York city, In which a number of
the subordinate employees in the weigh
ing and other departments were direct
ly concerned and in which the benefi-
Charles were the American Sugar Re-
hning company and others. The frauds
consisted in the payment of duty on
underweights Of sugar. The govern
ment has recovered from the American
Sugar Refining company all that it is
shown to have been defrauded Of The
sum was received IN full of the amount
due which might have been recovered
by civil action against the beneficiary
Of the fraud, but there was an express
reservation in the contract of settle
ment by which the settlement should
not interfere with or prevent the
criminal prosecution of every one who
was found to be subject to the same
Criminal prosecutions are now pro-