The state herald., 1910-12-09

portation. under the Erdman act, joint
ly with the chairman OF the interstate
commerce commission.
II cannot speak In too high terms Of
the success of the two officers In con-
Citation and settlement OF controver-
sizes which. but for their interposition.
would have resulted disastrously to all
interests.
Civil Service Commission,
THE civil service commission has
continued its useful duties during the
| year. The necessity for the mainte-
nance of the provisions of the civil
| service law was never greater than to-
| day Officers responsible for the poL
Icy of the administration. and their
| immediate personal assistants or depu-
ties, should not be included within the
classified service, but In my judg.
ment, public opinion has advanced to
the point where 1t would support bill
providing a secure tenure during eff.
cheney for all purely administrative
officials. | entertain the profound con.
viction that 1t would greatly aid the
cause of efficient and economical gov.
eminent and Of better politics II con.
gress could enact a bill providing that
the executive shall have the power
to include In the classified service all
local Offices under the treasury depart
ment, the department of justice, the
postoflice department. the interior de-
partment and the department OF com
merce and labor, appointments to
which now require the confirmation
Of the senate, and that upon such
classification the advice and consent
of the senate shall cease to be re-
quired In such appointments. BY
their certainty of tenure, dependent on
good service, and by their freedom
from the necessity for political activ.
ity, these local officers would be in.
duced to become more efficient public
servants.
Economy and Efficiency.
THE Increase in the activities and
In the annual expenditures of the fed.
eral government has been so rapid
and so great that the time has come
to check the expansion OF government
activities in new directions until we
have tested the economy and efficiency
with which the government OF today IL
being carried on. The responsibility
rests upon the head Of the adminlstra
ton. He Is held accountable by the
public, and properly SO. Despite the
unselfish and patriotic efforts OF the
heads Of departments and others
charged with responsibility of govern.
ment there has grown up In this coun'
try conviction that the expenses OF
government are too great Tho fun.
damental reason for the existence I'M
detected Of waste, duplication, and bad
management Is the lack Of prompt, 40
curate information
Il have requested the head OF each
department to appoint committees ON
economy and efficiency In order to So
cure full cooperation In the movement
by the employees OF the government
themselves
Il urge the continuance Of the ap
preparation Of 100000 requested fot
the fiscal year 1912
MY experience leads me 10 believe
that while government methods are
much criticized. the bad results-if va
do have bad rcsults-are not due to
lack Of zeal or willingness on the part
Of the civil servants"
Interstate Commerce.
There has not been time to test the
benefit and utility of the amendments
TO the Interstate commerce law con
tanned In the act approved June is
1910 The law as enacted did not con
tain all tho features which | recon-
mondod II did not specifically de
nounco as unlawful the purchase by
one OF two parallel and competing
roads Of the stock OF the other Nor
dld II subject TO the restraining innB
encc Of the Interstate Commerce com
mission the power Of corporations on
gagged In operating Interstate railroads
10 issue new stock and bonds, nor -
Il authorize the making OF Temporary
agreements between railroads lI-Hitcd
to 30 days, fixing the same rates ~
traiilc between the same places
- do not press the consideration 4
any Of these objects upon coHere 4
this session,
| The Interstate commerce rH.
sion has recommended Hppruprs 10
for tho purpose Of enabling n 20 nj
upon valuation of all railroads . s
has always been within the iuri s
ton OF the commission. but the roo b
site funds have been wanting ST..
Ties 10 the value of each railroad We 4
be valuable for many purposes,
clally II vi. ultimately enact ans "a.
itations upon the power Of the IN '0
state railroads TO issue stoet ad
bonds, "a I hope We may
For tho protection Of our on
people aud the preservation OF -
credit In foreign trade. urge 81.
congress the immediate enactm,4. 4
a Law under which one who. Ia q
faith. advances money or credit upon
a bin OF ladinE issued by com 10