New-York tribune., 1910-12-10
IFrom The Tribune Bureau.
WaShjnp$Cp no1ep-

washington. December y
ALDRICH misunderstood. = The
assertion of the Secretary of the Treasury
that in his opinion. the expenses Of the
government cannot be materially reduced
below the limit OF the estimates ~ubmitted
by him, which are some S5e,Oooooo below
the total appropriations for the current
fiscal year. has served to recall Senator
Aldrich's statement. made on the floor OF
the Senate last February. that if he were
a business man and were permitted to do
It he would undertake to run the govern
ment for ssooooo.oa0 less than It is being
run for now. Much of the comment on
that statn1ent shows an entire misunder
standing Of the Senator's meaning. The
methods which would be adopted by
business man were he TO undertake to con-
duct this government as he would
private business radically different
from anything which is feasible IN the
administration of the affairs Of a great
nation that too much Importance should
not be attached to the Senator's chance
statement. To begin with. If Mr.. Aldrich
were to undertake 20 conduct the govern
ment as he would a private business, he
would begin by cutting off the entire pen
sion budget, which would mean saving,
according to the estimates for the forth
coming year, Of s15S.ssseo0 Then he would
eliminate all political considera tons in the
employment of men and women, which
would obviously and admittedly greatly IN
crease tho efficiency of the working force.
No man or woman would be retained who
did not perform his her full share Of
work. and that share would be greatly
increased by lengthening the hours. 1t Is
highly probable. moreover. that Mr.. Aid
rich would promptly rescind the laws
and regulations regarding 81 eight-hour
day, which greatly increases the cost of
government work. a notable instance be-
ing furnished just by the necessity
which confronts the Secretary of the
Navy of asking Congress for an addi-
tional N,50o.eJ0 TO complete the battleship
New York and an additional 100000 to
complete the hattleship Florida. Of course.
these things are entirely incpracticable,
but they are what Mr.. tldrich had in
mind, and II is necessary to understand
that in order 20 form a correct estimate
of his statement. That he ever for mo-
ment had any idea that these things could
be done is not true, but he was merely
suggesting what. under extraordinary cir
curnstances. could be done In order to in
duce the Senate to grant his proposition
10 create a cOmlnlItSS TO 90 dii lidb tiiiS5
prove practicable
DOING MUCH FOR LABOR.-As Presi-
dent Taft says in his message, the govern
ment has for forty-two years been doing
all in its power 70 promote the general
adoption of the eigllt-hour day, and he is
in sympathy with the movement. The
course of the government in this respect.
however. entails such expense that Ia Dor
should appreciate the sacrifice which the
government, and through it every citizen,
is making to promote its interests AS has
been said. Secretary Never, acting on the
carefully prepared estimates of his subordt-
mates. is obliged to ask Congress to author
iZe additional expenditure the battle
ship New York Of 81. 10000. and al addi-
tional expenditure of 100000 for the battle
ship Florida. being built in the Brooklyn
navy yard. which is exclusive Of the cost
of armor and armament. In the case OF the
Florida the exact cost q ton Of normal
displacement will be sesS q, as compared
with $50 for the Utah, the same type OF
ship as the Florida. but built under con-
tract. The Utah will cost s3e4soOa as
against 81. .4o9e 600 for the Florida Secretary
Meyer informs the naval committee that
the enforcement Of the eight-hour law in
tleships authorized at the last session Of
Congress will increase their cost by not
less than BIZ per cent. Considerable diff
Guilty is being experienced I'm placing the
contracts for the new ships because OF the
insfstence OF the department that the eight
hour law shall be enforced in connection
with their construction.
ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES is not
easy 70 appreciate the difficulties which,
confront a simple-Ininded and hard-work-.
ing President who undertakes to achieve
anything approaching economy In the ad-
ministraticn OF the affairs Of the govern
ment- Reference is made elsewhere in The
Tribune TO the intense indignation of mem
bers Of the House because Secretary Mac
yeagh actuated by due consideration for
the condition of the Treasury and the Pres
iGent's earnest desire for economy, omitted
from the annual estimates s26, 600, GOO
for public buildings Then the National
Rivers and IIarbors Congress adjourned to-