Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-12-07

at all why the surveyor of the port, who
really acts for the collector, should not be
a subordinate of the collector at a less
salary and directly under his control, and
there is but little reason for the existence
Of the naval officer who is a kind of local
auditor. His work is mainly an examina-
ton of accounts which is conducted again
in Washington and which results in no
greater security TO the government. The
naval officers in the various ports are
presidential appointees. many Of them
drawing good salaries, and those offices
should be abolished or with reduced force
made part of the central auditing system.
There are entirely too many customs dis
tricts and too many customs collectors.
These districts should be consolidated and
the collectors in charge of them, who draw
good salaries, many of them out of pro-
portion to the collections made, should be
abolished or treated as mere branch offices,
In accordance with the plan OF the Treasury
department, which will be presented for
the consideration Of congress. As an illus
tration, the cost of collecting 81 of revenue
at typical small ports like the port of
York Me-, was &JON. At the port of
Annapolis, Nd, it cost $SO9.H to collect 81
Of revenue; at Natchez. $52.7e; at Alex
andria, Va, S122.49.
A reorganization Of the special customs
agents has been perfeced with view to
retaining only those who have special
knowledge OF the customs laws, regulations
and usual methods OF evasion, and with
this improvement there will be no danger
TO the government from the recommended
consolidation and abolition OF cusoms dis
tricts.
An investigation of the appraising system
now in vogue in New York City has shown
under-appraisement and a sacrifice Of the
interests Of the government, which Is n
the course OF being remedied by reorganiza-
ton and the employment OF competent ex-
perts. Prosecutions have been Instituted
growing out Of the frauds there discovered
and are now awaiting hearing in the fed
erRl courts
Too Miami SIinta.
/ Very great improvements have been made
in respect TO the minis and assay offices
/ Diminished appropriations have been asket
/ for those whose continuance is unneces
sary, and this years estimate of expenses
/ is SS26,OOO less than two years ago. Their,
is an opportunity for further saving In the
abolition OF several minis and assay offices
that have now become unnecessary. Dur.
ing the last year 100 unnecessary employees
have been dropped from the Phlladelphia
mint Modern machinery has been in.
stalled there, more and better work Ina,
been done, and the appropriations hav,
been consequently diminished
In the bureau OF engraving and printinl
great economies have been effected Use
less divisions have been abolished with tn,
result Of saving $4,000 this year IN IN,
total expenses OF the bureau despite in
creased business.
The treasurers office and that OF the di
vision Of public moneys in part cover tn,
same functions and this is also true OF tn,
office OF the register and the division o.
loans and currency. Plans for tho elimt
nation OF the duplication in these offices
will be presented to congress.
The office Of the comptroller OF the cur
reney is one most important in the preser
walton Of proper banking methods in TN
national banking system Of the Unite,
States, and the present comptroller has i'm
pressed his subordinates with the necessit,
OF SO conducting their Investigations as 4
establish the principle that every bank fail
ure is unnecessary because proper inspec
tion and notice Of threatening conditions 4
the responsible directors and officers cal
prevent IL.
] In our public buildings We sull suffe