The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-12-06

s'.:ile at the same time requiring that
ale many permanent improvements
ieeded TO complete n fitting capital
city shall be carried on from year to
1.ar snd Mt a proper rate OF progress
with funds derived from the rapidly
increasing revenues.
Fresdmsn's Bank.
renew my recommendation that
the claims OF the depositors in IT,
Er.edmen's bank be recognized and
paid by the passage Of the pending bill
on that subject.
Negro Exposition.
also renew M recommendation
that steps he taken looking 10 the hold
ing Of negro exposition in ceiebra-
ton OF the fftieth anniversary OF the
issuing by Mr.. Lincoln Of the emanci-
patton proclai ton.
Civil Service Commission.
The civil service commission has con-
enued It's useful duties during the
gear The necessity for ;he mainte-
nance Of the provisions OF the civil
service law was never greater than to-
day. Officers responsible for the poll
cy ~ the administration and their i'm
mediate personal assistants or depu-
ties should not be- included within the
classified service. but In my judgment
public opinion has advanced to the
point where 1t would support bill
providing a secure tenure during eff
cheney for all purely administrative
officials.
entertain the profound conviction
that II would greatly aid the cause OF
efficient and economical government
end Of better politics II congress could
enact bill providing that the execu-
i've shall have the power TO include
In the classified service all local Of
ices under the treasury department.
Che department OF justice. the post
sflice department. the interior depart
inent and the department Of COM
merce and labor. appointments to
which now require the confirmation
~ the senate, and that upon such
classification the advice and consent
~ the senate shall cease to be re-
CURED In such appointments.
BY their certainty Of tenure, depend
eat on good service. and by their free
DOM from the necessity Cor political
activity these local officers would be
induced TO become more efficient pub
Nc servants.
The civil service law II an attempt
% solve the problem Of the proper Sc
lection Of those who enter the service.
a better system under that law for
promotions ought to be devised; but.
given the selected employee. there re-
mains still the question Of promoting
bis efnciency and his usefulness to the
government. and that can he brought
about only by careful comparison OF
unit work done by the individual! and
. pointing out Of the necessity for i'm.
provement In this regard where I'M
provement Is possible.
Inquiry Into Economy and Efficiency.
The increase In the activities and In
the annual expenditures Of the federal
government has been so rapid and so
great that the time has come to check
She expansion Of government activities
In new directions until we have tested
the eCouofItN anu euutleINS WIN
ehe government OF today Is being car
eicd on. The responsibility rests upon
che head of the administration. He II
held accountable by the public. and
properly so. Despite the unselfish and
patriotic efforts Of the heads Of depart.
ments and others charged with respon-
pibility Of government there has grown
On In this country conviction that the
expenses of government are too great.
The fundamental reason for the exist.
encc undetected Of waste, duplication
and bad management IL the lack OF
prompt. accurate information.
The president Of n private corpora
ton doing so vast business ms the
government transacts would. through
competent specialists, maintain the
closest scrutiny on the comparative CT
Ccisucy and the comparative costs In
each division o. department Of the
business. lie would know precisely
what the duties and the activities OF
,Ach bureau or division are In order
20 prevent overlapping. No adequate
machinery at present exists for sup
plying the president Of the United
States with such information respect
ing the business for which he Is re
Uponsible.
For the first time In the history OF
the government congress In the las
session supplied this need and made
an appropriation to enable the presi
dent to inquire into the economy ant
efficiency Of the executive departments
and l am now assembling an organi
0aticn for the purpose.
At the outset I find comparison be
tween departments and bureaus impos
sible for the reason that In no two de
part1nents are the estimates and ex
penditures displayed and classified
alike. The first step Is to reduce nj
60 a common standard for classified
don and judgment, and this work II
DOW being done. When II Is completed
che foundation will be laid for bust
NAsslike national budget and for sucl
Just comparison OF the economy ant
efficiency with which the several bu
rcaus and divisions are conducted n
will enable the president and the head
Of departments to detect waste, elimi
nate duplication. encourage the intelli
gent and effective civil servants who's
efforts too often 60 unnoticed and sc
cure the public service at the loves
possible cost.
Economy and Efficiency.