New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-08
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.

President Taft's message both in COM
rass and in character resembles the old
fashioned Presidential messages more
than those 10 which the nation has been
accustomed in recent years. The return
20 the old type is accomplished by re-
serving for discussion in special mes
sages his views concerning the most i'm
portant economic and political topics.
Conservation and the amendment OF the
antitrust and interstate commerce acts
are 10 be made the subject OF future
messages. They will thus attract great
er attention and receive more thorough
discussion. ana they do not Immediately
thrust aside variety Of routine mat
tiers which il is necessary 10 present 10
Congress and the country.
The most important topic that the
President discusses is economy in ma
tional expenditures. He shows how his
administration has met the existing sit
uation by cutting the estimated expendi-
lures so that there is an indicated sur
plus Of S35.931. 600 for 1911, following
upon deficits for the last two years. But
Mr.. Taft is not satisfied TO let economy
for such economies are largely in the
nature OF n postponemert Of projects
that win ultimately have 10 be carried
out. For more substantial economies II
is necessary 10 look 10 the reduction or
the costs Of permanent administration.
With this in view the President reports
that 1.-THE Treasury Department has in
''stituted an investigation by one OF the
most skilled accountants in the United
States" The object of the investiga-
ton is 10 devise means ito increase the
average efficiency of each elnploye' of
the federal government. There is great
room" SAYS the President. for i'm
'provemert 10 that end, not only by the
reorganization Of bureaus and depart
"ments and in the avoidance of duplica-
"tion, but also in the treatment OF the
individual employe."
For the thorough investigation Of this
subject two years will be required. II
is 10 be hoped that il will be pursued
with vigor. irrespective of any tendency
which an increase of revenues may have
&c reduce the present pressure for econ
omy. The need OF promoting Individual
efficiency il present in the public service
everywhere to-day. II the federal gov
ernment can set the example Of an eff
Gent organization, which has no place
for the overpaid, the incompetent. the
idler or tho supernumerary, il will exert
salutary influence in the states and the
cities.
1t is 20 he hoped that Congress viii
h., froS
mendation that a commission he sp-
pointed 10 revise judicial procedure in
the federal courts in order to eliminate
the laws delays. Mr.. Taft does not
exaggerate when he pronounces this ''the
greatest need In our American institu-
''tions.' The need is greater In the state
than in the federal courts. but nowhere
can a beginning OF this reform be made
so as 10 exercise a wider influence than
in the federal system. The recommended
ton regarding the regulation OF the in
junction process carries out the provision
Of the Republican national platform and
is in accordance with prevailing public
opinion.
The service which the Department Of
Agriculture has rendered 10 the country
indicates by analogy, as the message
says. the value which 2 federal bureau
Of health would possess. Such bureau
could approach many questions from a
broader point of view than that from
which they are treated by local health
authorities. Its creation would promote
economy and efficiency in the handling
% sanitary problems and would contrib
ute 10 the solution of many of them.
Few OF the recommendations Of the
President leave much room for differ
ence Of opinion, the more Inspirations
topics being reserved for special treat
nlent.