The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1910-12-06

1
fjie f,ort. Who really aeis Tor the col
Iector sliousd not be q sullot tlinate Of
the coIiect0r Mt less salary and dt-
ri56tIts under his control. and there Is
but little reason for the existence OF
the naval odcer. who Is a Kind OF LEGAL
auditor. His work IS mninly IN e1-
animation OF accounts which is con-
Quoted again in Washington and
which results in no greater security
to the government. The naval officers
"a the various ports are presidential
nppoinfeeS, many OF them drawing
good salaries. md those offices should
be abolished or with reduced force
made part OF the central auditing sys-
tenn.
There are entirely too many customs
districts and TOO many customs col
Iectors. These districts should he con-
solidnted and the collectors in charge
of them who draw good salaries. many
of them out OF proportion to the col
IectIons made, should be abolished or
treated as mere branch Offices, IN ac-
cordance with the plan OF the treas
ury department., which Will be present.
I'd for the consideration of congress-
AS an illustration, the cost OF collect
ing 81 Of revenue at typical small
ports like the port of York. Me, was
5000. at the port Of Annapolis Nd,
It cost $3O0.41 to collect 81 of revenue;
at Natchez, $52.T6; Mt Alexandria. Va,
$122.49.
1t is not essential to the preventing
of smuggling that customs districts
should be increased in number. The
violation Of the customs laws can be
quite as easily prevented and much
more economically by the revenue cut
ter service and by the use of the spe-
cial agent travelling force OF the treas
ury department. A reorganization OF
the special customs agents has been
perfected with view TO retaining only
those who have special knowledge Of
the customs laws, regulations and usual
methods Of evasion, and with this IN
provement there will be no danger to
the government from the recommend
ed consolidation and abolition OF GUS
toms districts.
An investigation of the appraislng
system now IN vogue in New York city
has shown underappraisement and u
sacrifice Of the interests OF the gov
ernmenr, which is IN the course or
being remedied by reorganization ana
the employment OF competent experts.
Prosecutions have been instituted grow
ing out of the frauds there discovered
and are now awaiting hearing In the
federal courts
Very great improvements have been
made in respect to the mints and assay
offices. Diminished appropriations nave
been asked for those whose continu-
ance is unnecessary. and this years es-
innate OF expenses is 1896. 600 less than
two years ago. There is IN opporth-
nffy for further saving In the abolition
nd v
have now become unnecessary. Dur
ing the past yenr 100 unnecessary en-
Dloyees have been, dropped from the
Philadelphia mint. Modern machinery
has been Installed there, more and bet
ter work has been done. and the nppro-
prfations have been consequently d.
mtnIshed.
In the bureau of engraving and print
Eua, great economies have been erect
ed. Useless divisions have been ahol-
fshed with the result OF saving $40
600 this year in the total expenses OF
the bureau despite increased business.
The treasurer's office and that OF the
division of public moneys in part cover
the same functiOnsI and this is also
true of the Office of the register aud
the division OF IoHns and currency
Plans for the elimination of the dupl-
cation in these Offices will be presented
TO congress.
The office OF sthe comptroller Of the
currency is one most important in the
preservation OF proper banking meth
DDS in the national banking system OF
the United States. and the present
COMPTROLLER has impressed his subordi-
mates with the necessity of so conduct
ing their Investigations us to establish
the principle that every bank failure IS
unnecessary because proper inspection
and notice OF threatening conditions
to the responsible directors and officers
can prevent 1t.
Public Buildings.
In our public buildings we still sut-
fer from the method OF appropriation
which has been so much criticised In
connection with our rivers and mar
bors. Some method should be devised
for controlling the supply OF public
buildings SO that they will harmonic
with the actual needs Of the govern
ment. Not only are buildings hpHropri'
ated for by congress which nEe not
needed and buildings left U'E.1propr-
nted for by congress which are needed
but when It comes to the actual con-
struction there has been in the past
too little study of the building plans
and sites with view to the actual
needs of the government.
Postodice buildings which are In ell.
feet warehouses for the economlcal
hnndlinE of transportation of thou
I 800. - Hrr, y 2 mail bnva Re9n made