The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-06

1912. say this in order that congress may understand that these estimates thus made present the smallest sum which will maintain the departments, and meet it's other obligations under existing law and that cut of these estimates would result in embarrassing the executive branch of the govern ment in the performance of its duties.y
 This remark does not apply to the river and harbor estimates, except to those for expenses of maintenance and the meeting of obligations under au- thorized contracts, nor does it apply to the public 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 ordinary obligations of the gov ernment or the performance of the functions of its departments, bureaus and offices.
 The final estimates for the year end ing June 30, 1912, as they have been
  year for the ordinary expenses of the governmers. including those for public buildings, rivers and harbors and the navy building program, amount to $630,- 494,O13.12. This is $52,964, ,SS7.36 less than the appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 90, 1911. It Is $16,- S83, 153.44 less than the total estimates, including supplemental estimates sub mitted to congress by the treasury for the year 1911. and is $5,574, ,659.30 less than the original estimates submitted by the treasury for 1911.
 Tbese figures do not include the ap- populations for the Panama canal, the policy in respect to which ought to b. and is to spend az much each year as can be economically and effectively expended in order to complete the ca nal as promptly as possible, and there fore the ordinary motive for cutting down the expense of the government does not apply to appropriations for this purpose. It will be noted that the estimates for the Panama canal for the ensuing year are more than $t6,- 10000, an increase of $20, 900, GOO over the amount appropriated for this year. a difference due to the fact that tho estimates for 1912 include something over $1s.ooo.oo2 for the fortihcation of the canal.
 Against the estimates of expendi- lures, $c30, 494 4,013.12, we have esti- mated receipts for next year $6S0,000 GOO, making probable surplus of or dinary receipts over ordinary expendi- lures of about $50,O0OyO00, or, taking into account the estimates for the Pan- anna canal, which are $56 920, ,847.60 and which will ultimately be paid in bonds, 1t will leave a deficit for the next year of about $7,O00,O00 if con- gross shall conclude to fortify the ca nal. The cost of the Notifications i1 about $19,OO0,OO0. Should there be no appropriations this year for fortifca- tions, then there would be, even in- cluding the Panama canal appropria- ton, a surplus of about $12000,000.
 The treasury department is ono of the original departments of the gov ernmeA. With the changes in the monetary system made from time to time and with the creation of nation al banks, it was thought necessary to organize new bureaus and divisions, which were added in a somewhat hap hazard way and resulted in dupH- cation of duties which might well now be ended.
 This lack of system and economic coordination has attracted the atten- tion of the head of that department, who has been giving his time for the last two years, with the aid of ex- perts and by consulting his bureau chiefs, to its reformation, and at the risk of being tedious, but merely to illustrate the character of the reforms that are possible, shall comment on a number of changes that are being made or ought to be made by lesis- lative aid.
 The auditing system in vogue Is as old as the government, and the meth- ods used are anticipated. There are six auditors and seven assistant au- ditors for the nine departments, and under the present system the only function which the auditor of de~ pertinent exercises is to determine, on accounts presented by disbursing ofI ficers, that the object of the expendi- ture was within the law and the aps' propria tion made Sby congress for tho purpose on its face and that the calcu- lations in the accounts are correct. Ho does not examine the merits of tha transaction or determine the reason- ableness of the price paid for the ar ticles purchased, nor does he furnish any substantial check upon disburs. ing officers and the heads of departs ments or bureaus with sufficient promptness to enable the government to recoup itself in full measure for unlawful expenditure.
 A careful plan is being devised ana will be presented to congress with thO recommendation that the force of audi tors and employees under them bs greatly reduced, thereby effecting sub stantial economy. But this economy will be small compared with the larger economy that can be effected by con- solidation and change of methods. The possibilities in this regard have been shown in the reduction of expenses and the importance of methods ana efficiency in the office of the auditor for the postoffice department, who,