The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-12-07

original departments OF the government
| With the changes in the monetary system
| made from time TO time and with the
creation Of national banks IL was thought
necessary to organize new bureaus and
divisions which were added in some
wha, haphazard way and resulted IN a
now be ended.
This lack OF system and economic CO.
ordination has attracted the attention OF
the head OF that department who has
been giving his time for the last two
years, with the aid OF experts and by
consulting his bureau chiefs 10 its re-
forma ton; he has abolished 400 places
In the civil service without at all inJur-
Ing It's efficiency: and al the risk Of being
tedious. but merely 10 illustrate the char
acter OF the reforms that are possible,
! shall comment on Il number OF changes
that arc being made, or ought 20 be made,
by legislative aid.
The auditing system in vogue is as oiJ
as the government and the methods used
are antiquated. There arc six auditors
and seven assistant auditors for the nine
departments, and under the present sjs-
tenn the only function which the auditor
OF department exercises is to determine,
on accounts presented by disbuTSinG ofb-
GERS, that the object of the expenditure
was within the law and the appropriation
made by congress for the purpose OH It's
face. and that the calcula tfons In the ac-
counts are correct.
He does not examine the merits OF the
transaction or determine the reasora bl,-
ness OF the price paid for the articles
purchased nor does he furnish any sub
stantlal check upon disbursing officers
and the heads OF departments or bureaus
with sufficient promptness to ena bic the
government TO recoup itself In full meas
ure for unlawful expenditure
A careful, plan is being devised and will
be presented to congress with tho recon-
mendation that the force OF auditors and
employees under them be greatly reduced
thereby effccting substantial economy.
But this economy will be small compared
win the larger economy that can be cf
fected by consolidation and change OF
methods. Tho possibilities in this regard
have been shown In the reduction of eX-
penses and the importance OF methoGs
and efficiency in the office of the auditor
for the postoffice department. who with
out in the slightest degree impaIrins The
comprehensiveness and efficiency of his
work. has cut down the expenses Of his
office 100000 year.
Again. In the collection OF revenues
especially the customs revenues, very
great Improvement has been effected, anG
Iurtner improvements are contemplated.
sugar upwards Of So 400, 900 have 5cen re
covered from the benefciaries OF the fraud,
and an entirely new system free from
the possibilities Of such abuse has been
the method OF collecting duties at the port
OF New York so as 10 save the govern
ment upwards Of ten or eleven million
collars; and the same sViril of change and
customs Offices OF the country.
Archaic Methods In Vogue.
The methods used at many places are |
archalcs There would seem to be no rca-
son nj all why the surveyor OF the port, |
VINO really acts for tho collector. should |
a less salary and directly under his con.
trol. and there is but little reason for the |
existence OF the naval officer, who is a |
KING ,.i OF iocai auditor His work is MAIN
n
conducted again In Washington and whic? |
results In no greater security to ,hc gov.
ornment The naval officers in the varI- |
Gus ports are presidential apyontecs
many of them drawing good sala iIcs and
nose offices should be abolished or with /
rednced force made part Of the central
auditing system.
There arc entirely too many customs
llstrlcts and too many customs collectors
Lhcse districts should be copsCIioate lea and
Ipe = ~ coleGtorS ae IN charge OF thcn wnq
proportion 10 the collections nIa,lC shnuid
pc abolished or treated as mere branch
ornces. In accordance with the plan OF The
srn,sd ssdry ~ depaftment: @ which Will be prc-
as ~ an Illustration. the cost OF collecting
n ihs or nrt refen4e I & at typical small ports IKE
port g p9g' or ., a,nspo, nara Me- vas 56oci 4. the
to % collect H"sapoi!S' 81 OF Ma; 1t cost ssooa1
So2.'e; 81 Alexandria. Va, sl22.4e
IL is not essential 10 the Droynr,
ing or smuggling that customs distrirts
should oe Increased in number The vioe
at'on or the customs laws can be- ouiie
as easi,y prevented, and much more eco
ioin'SdHy, py the revenue cutter service
snn s1in, oy me me use Of The special agent trav-
.nns force of the treasury department,
"A reorganization Of the special customs
agents has been perfected with a view n
retaining only those who have sneciaJ
KS,nowiedge Of the customs laws, reEuIa-
.lons' ana usual methods of evasion and
with this Improvement. there will he No
Iahser 10 the government from the rec
'mmcndcd consolidation and abolifIon NJ
customs districts. va
An investigation Of the appraIsinc svs-
Lem now IN vogue in New York CITY has
SHOWN under -appraisement and a sac
-incc OF the interests OF the government
Rhieh Is In the course of being romodied
~ reorganization and the employment nr |
Competent experts. Prosecutions have !
1een instituted growing out of the frauds
mere discovered and arc now 8WaitInr
learing In the federal courts
very great improvements have bccn