New-York tribune., 1910-02-22
RIG CHANCE TO SAVE
1LDRICH ON ECONOMY
Sans Government Expenses
TouId Be Cut $500, 900, 900.
r.,,,, Tho Tribune Bureau. !

IFrom The Tribune Bureau
washington. Feb. 21.-Senator Aldrich in
-orned the Senate to-day that II ne were
1, charge of the business aHa'rS Vi INC
I-nited states he would be able TO cut oo"h
the annual expenditures SooWc'oU me
pbode Island Senator did not indicate 'ha'
ra was an aspirant for the place OF pu7i-
,ess manager of the nation On the con-
- - he intimated that the task of enforc-
r.. business methods in the government
.,.;ce would involve so much labor that
- did not care for the place. The fact ttidt
~. aIdrich is probably the closest student
IN congress of the country's fiscal atairs
I'D is noted for his conservatism. made MS
Lament regarding expenditures the most
.+r,l.ine contribution to the days proceeo-
inrs in Congress.
Tearlv three weeks ago Mr.. Aidrich re-
+od from the Committee on Public tX-
,di+ures a bill providing for the creation
:. ,overnment business methods commls-
-, "a consist of three Senators, three KEEP
o,+a+ives and three men appointed DS
H. president AS the purpose OF the pro-
,ad LEGISLATION is to devise a plan ior
economy in public expenditures. it was not
,houebt that there would be serious oppo'i
,;on to the bill. When Mr.. Aldrlch cdiieu
nm the measure to-day Senator DoliiH'i
made a short but earnest speech against It.
Tho Iowa Senator stirred up Senators bo'
er,dee Bristow and others and genera
debate followed. Finally MI Aiorich Gun
sented that the bill should g2 over, out an
nounced that he would not permit IL 10 pe
sidetracked and would press for vote a'
the earliest opportunity
Mr. Dolliver opposed the oil! on the
ground that it would bring no net results
He thought too many commissions were
heine created and the dominant poitlcai
marty was not being helped by the Irequeht
INQUIRIES authorized. Mr. Doiliver SAID IL
was impossible to conduct the business ol
th-, government with the same system anu
economy that private corporation con-
Quoted it's business. He thought pup''
confidence in the government Wouiu De uii
derrnined if Congress should think il neces-
sary to secure the services OF experts en-
ploved by great oil companies or great rail-
road companies TO inform the lawmakers
how to run the business of the government
The bill was a disparagement OF the pusl-
ness methods of the United States, he de-
o,arad With the lowest estimate the work
would involve an expenditure of &ooeVo
and would not be finished for a year OF
more II would involve the employment OF
| a great force of clerks and trips to Europe
| by members of Congress, and would be an
! admission to the world of the business m
! capacity of those conducting the govern
/ ment of the United States.
! In reply Mr.. Aldrich said that every in
teIligent observer was aware of the fact
that the business methods of the govern
ment were obsolete. In many places Work
was being duplicated. At least 10 per cent
of the present appropriations could be
saved by the introduction of modern busl-
/ moss methods in the various departments
! Mr. AIdrich said he did not think the
/ American people uoul be distruStful of the
! ino,,irv or would regard such an inquiry
as was proposed as a disparagement OF the
ability of public officials to conduct the
! affairs of the government lie called at-
i tention to the fact that in his annual mes
| sage President Taft urged the need ol
! economy in government expenditures, aho
| said the bill was an honest effort TO carry
| ont the recommendations of the President
! No duty to be performed by congress
would be more fruitful of results IN the
| nubIic interest than the passage OF TINS
| bill.
eff / as a business man. were permitted
| IN run this government Mr.. Aldrich con
tinued. II could run it for $500, 900 a year
! less than it now costs to run IL
Mr.. Beveridge urged that the bill siloui'
| go over saying that he desired 10 DISCUS
| it. On motion of Mr. Aldrich, the Dill Wa
amended to provide that the COMMISSION
should consist of five Senators and nv
| Representatives.