New-York tribune., 1909-12-09
ROOT HAS NEW TASK
WORK FOR ECONOMY.
Republican Leaders Erpect
Great Help from Him.
From tn. Tribune Bureau. I

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington Dec. s-The Republican
leaders in Congress are looking 70 Senator
Root for valuable assistance In working
out a definite plan for cooperation be-
tween the executive and legislative branches
OF the government TO enforce economy IN
expenditures. President Taft devoted spe-
cial attention to this subject in his message
and offered to the new Senate COMMITTEES
on Public Expenditures all the assistance
which the executive branch OF the govern
ment could render. He said that at least
two years Of close study and investigation
would be necessary 70 formulate definite
recommendations.
A fun meeting OF the Committee on Pub
lie Expenditures was held to-day. The
subcommittee OF which Senator Bourne is
chairman made a partial report suggesting
methods of procedure This report was
favorably discussed. and most OF the sug-
gestions were approved Four sub-commit-
tees were appointed to cooperate with the
standing committees which handle the bills
making appropriations for the executive
branches of the government.
Probably the most important OF these
subcommittee Is that on bills making new
authorizations involving appropriations
Mr.. Root was appointed chairman of this
committee. his associates being Senators
Warren. Nelson. DoIiver. Crane. McIAurin
and Hughes. II will be the duty OF this
committee to make a close study of all
legislation which may commit the govern
ment TO expenditures for new work For
instance. Mr. Roots committee will take
UP that part of the Presidents message
recommending the establishment OF bu-
reau OF health. II will have some juris-
a ~T,, -
and desirability OF establishing such a
bureau. and. IL IT is decided that the bu-
reau shall be organized. VIII recommend
TO the Committee on Appropriations the
amount Of the appropriation TO be made
To the end that the new bureau shall not
exceed its legitimate growth. Mr.. Roots
committee VIII he expected 10 suggest a
method by which it's development may be
so controlled as 10 avoid committing the
government TO extravagant future sppro-
priations.
In like manner Mr.. Roots committee will
take I'D the various other new projects IN
volving appropriations The President has
recommended an annual appropriation Of
$4,000 for two OF three years 10 enable
the Tariff Board 70 make its investiga-
tons 20 cost Of production here and
abroad. etc. AS the adoption of this policy
will involve continuing appropriations. the
subcommittee OF which Mr.. Root is chair
man viii make suitable recommendation
concerning II 70 the COMMITTEES on Appro-
priations.
Mr.. Root is peculiarly fitted TO perform
his new services His long experience as
Secretary OF War and Secretary OF State
has given him a comprehensive grasp OF
the administrative side OF government az
fairs. When he was Secretary OF War he
reorganized that department and made IL
one Of the most effective branches of the
service. His prominence and activity in
the movement TO enforce business methods
in the departments to the end that there
may be a proper relation between receipts
and expenditures. are most gratifying 10
those interested in the policy OF retrench-
ment
At its meeting to-day the Public Ex-
penditures Committee discussed the uesir-
ability of appointing a Joint commission 20
investigate conditions in the departments.
One plan proposed vss that this commits
sion should consist Of representatives OF
both houses OF Congress and the executive
departments This plan will be discussed
further at a meeting OF the committee IN
January.
Senator Hale presided at to-days meet
ing and appointed the following suh-com-
nnittees:
Military Establishment and Pensions
Senators Burton, Warren. Perkins. Hale.
Aldrich. Nelson. McLaurin, Fletcher and
Hughes.
Postal service.-Senators Aldrich. Pen
rose. Carter. Cunmins. Root. Newlands and
Hughes.
Agriculture, Public Lands. Reclamation
and Forestry-Senators Carter. DOlliver.
Nelson. Gamble. Crane. Cummius. New
lands and Owen.
Indian Arairs.-Senators Bourne. Clapp,
Gamble. Carter, Owen and Newlsnds