The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-04-14
FORMER GOVERNOR
IN CRITICAL MOOD
Myron T. HerriCk of Ohio De-
IiverS Caustic Address in
New York.
HARD RAP AT CONGRESS
PRESIDENT TAFT COMMENDED
FOR CUTTING EXPENSES.
HARD RAP AT CONGRESS

New York, April 13.-With the sweep
ing statement that American politics
have degenerated into a matter of spoils
and that the administration of public
affairs ito an amazing degree has been
left TO the incompetent and dishonest,
Former Governor Myron T. Herrick OF
Ohio made a caustic criticism Of the
public service tonight in an address be-
fore the National Hotel Trades asso-
citation at Hotel Aston
Mr.. Herrick defended President Taft S
administration, who, he claimed, by
economies in many departments had
reduced the estimates $40, 100000 and
would effect a still further reduction
if he was properly supported by Con-
gress. Members of Congress were
charged by Mr.. Herrick with the waste
and extravaganza which. he claimed,
permeated the departments. 1T is
with the greatest reluctance" he said,
that Congress approves any change
that may involve a decrease in patron
age"
Mr.. Herrick said the bonded indebt-
edness of the cities was increasing
much more rapidly than municipal as
sets. and that taxes for operating ex-
penseS were becoming more burdensome
with each succeeding year.
Taxes increasing.
In 1902" he said, the percentage of
the revenue of all the cities in the coun-
try to their debt was 1913. By 1909. this
percentage was decreased to 25.9. In
cities above 100000 in population, the
municipal expenditures increased 20 per
cent per capita from 1902 to 1907. If
this increase continues the pressure of
taxation will soon become intolerable
and credit exhausted"
The cause of governmental dishonesty
and incompetence is due, according to
Mr.. Herrick. TO the fact that the ablest
men in the country are attracted by
the extraordinary opportunities that
business affords in the United States
and refuse to adopt a political career.
Many of those who have assumed
the administrative functions of govern
ment." he said, ARE so poorly qualified
for their duties, so devoid of high pur-
poses, that the consequent extravaganza
and waste is appalling. This cOndi-
ton is not confined to any particular
administration, nor to any one section
of the country 1t is as widespread as
the nation, and characterizes the gov
ernments of municipalities, counties,
states and the nation"
Postoffice and Policies.
incidentally Mr.. Herrick condemned
the proposed postal savings bank. He
declared that the postoffice department
is run as a political organization, in
stead of a business department.
"Since the Jackson administration, -
he said. tine postOffice has been essen
italy q political organization. 1t is
now proposed that this department,
which can lose So, 600, coo in one branch
of its business without exciting more
than passing comment, which has not
changed its methods since 1885, shall
become the custodian of the people 5
savings"
The remedy for governmental evils,
in Mr.. Herricks opinion, lies in the
extension of the activities of such or
ganizations as the bureau of municipal
research in New York and the Merriam
commission in Chicago. These, and
similar organizations should, Mr.. Her
rick maintained, carry their inquiries
into every department of the national
and state governments, and lay before
the people an exact account of how
| their affairs are being transacted.