The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-07
HI. TAFT

would authorize the gradual and annual
acquisition OF premises for diplomatic use.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Estimates for Next Years Expenses.
Every effort has been made by each de
partment chief to reduce the estimated
cost OF his department for the ensuing
fscal year ending June so. 19l2, ! say this
In order that Congress may understand that
these estimates thus made present the
smallest sum which will maintain the de-
partments, bureaus and offices of the govern
ment land meet its other obligations under
existing law. and that a cut of these ts,i-
mates would result In embarrassing ;l:e
performance of its duties. This remark
does not apply to the river and harbos
estimates except 10 those for expenses Of
lions under authorized contracts. nor does 1t
apply to the pubic building bill nor TO
the navy building program. OF course. as
to these. Congress could withhold any part
or all OF the estimates for them without
interfering with the discharge OF the or
binary obligations of the government or she
performance of the functions Of its depart
ments. bureaus and offices.
The hnaa estimates for the year ending
June 80. 1912. as they have been sem to
the Treasury. on November 20 Of th,s :ear,
for the ordinary expenses OF the govern
ment, including those for public buildings,
rivers and harbois. and ,he navy building
program, amounting to $3.50, 4~94,ol3,12. This Is
5a.964.SS7.S less than lie appropriations for
the fiscal year ending June 80. 1911. 1t Is
including supp'amental estimates SUBMITTED
to Congress " the Treasury for tia year
1911. and Is S6.57ta59.39 less than the orig.
nan estimates SUBMITTED by tbs Treasury
for 1911.
These figures do not include tins appro-
priations for the Panama Canal. the policy
in respect to which ought to b, and ~,
to spend as much each year rs Gin he
economically and effectively expended in
order to complete the canal az Promptly
as possible. and. therefore. che ordinary
motive for cutting down the expense Of thS
government does not apply 10 appropria-
tions for this purpose. 1t will be noted
that the estimates for tho Panama Canal
for the ensuing year are more than $4,000
appropriated for this year-a difference due
to tho fact that the estimates for 1al2
irclnde something over Sl9.O0lGW for .fe
fertilization of the canal.
Against the estimated expenditures. sCao.-
4o4 ,rlS.l2, the Treasury has estimated re-
| ceipts for next year. $3.50. 100000. making u
probable surplus OF ordinary ecaipts over
o.cinary expenditures OF about Soo VoaVD, or,
Panama Canal which are SOC, so,siI6 90, ana
winch will ultimately be paid in bonds,
It vii! !cave 4 deficit for the naSt year =.
to fortify the canal. the cost of the fortih-
cations is about sls. 100000. Should there be
no appropriations this year for Notifications
Panama Caral appropriation, a surplus of
about sl2,00GW. according to the Treasury
estimates.
The Treasury Department is one of the
! original departments Of the government.
With the changes In the monetary system
made from time to time and with the crea-
ton of national banks. 1t was thought
necessary to organize new bureaus and d.
visions. which were added In n somewhat
haphazard way and resulted in a duplica-
ton of duties which might we'll now be
ended,
This lack OF system and economic CO..
ordination has attracted the attention OF
the head Of that department., who has been
with the aid of experts and by consulting his
bureau chiefs. to it's reformation: and at
tho risk OF being tedious. but merely to
illustrate the character of the reforms that
Der OF changes that are being made, or
ought to be made. by Legislative aid.
The methods used at many places arc
archaic, There would seem to be no rea.
son at all why the surveyor of the port.
who really acts for the collector. should
not be a subordinate OF tho collector, at a
less salpy and directly under his control,
and there is but lIttge reason for tho exist
ence of the naval %officer. who Is a kind OF
local auditor.
There arc entirely too many customs dis
tricts and too many customs collectors.
These districts should be consolidated and
tho collectors In charge of them. who draw
good salaries. many of them out OF propor-
abolished or treated as mere branch offices,
In accordance With the plan of the Treas
ury Department, which will be presented
for the consideration of Congress-.
An investigation of the nppraislng system
now in vogue in New York city has shown
under-appralsement and a sacrifice ,nf tho
interests OF the government. which Is In tho
course OF bolng remedied by reorganization
and the employment OF competent experts.
Prosecutions have been instituted growing
sOut OF the frauds there discovsred aud