The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-12-06

probability SO enlarge the jurisdiction
as to enable congress TO inciuue IL
within the control OF the government
OF the District OF Columbia ana ac-
tually make 1t q part of Washington.
earnestly recommend that steps be
taken to carry out this plan
kree1men's bank.
renew my recommendation that
the claims OF the depositers in the
freedmens Bank be recognized and
paid by the passage of the pending
bill on that subject.
Negro Exposition.
l also renew my recommendation
that steps be taken looking to the
holding of a negro exposition in cele-
bration Of the fiftieth anniversary Of
the issuing by Dir. Lincoln or the
Emancipation Proclamation.
Civil Service Commission.
The civil service commission has
continued Its useful duties during the
year. The necessity for the mainte-
nance of the provisions Of the civil
service law was never greater than
tot-day. Officers Responsible for the
policy of the administration. and their
immediate personal assistants or
"a. put.es. shouiu not he included with
in the classified service hut in my
judgment, public opinion has adeane-
ed to the point where ii would sup
port bin providing "a secure tenure
during efficiency for all purely admin
istfativc officials.
Inquiry Into Economy and Efficiency.
The increase in the activities and
in the annual expenditures of the
Federal gov ernment has been 80 rapid
and so great that the time has come
to check the expansion Of government
/ activities In new directions until We
have tested the economy and eiii-
cheney with which the Koyernme nt
to-day il being carried on. The re-
sponsibility rests upon the head Of
the administration. He ts held ac-
countable by the public. and proper
ly SO. Despite the unselnsh and pa
triotic efforts of the heads at depart
ments and others charged with re-
! sponsibility OF government. there has
! grown up in this country a conviction
that the expenses OF government are
| too great. The fundamental reason
| for the existence undetectel OF waste.
| duplication and bad management is
| the lack of prompt. accurate iufor-
! nation The president OF Il private
/ corporation doing 30 vast n business
as the government transacts would.
/ through competent specia lists, rnain-
tain the closest scrutiny on tho COM
| tive costs In each division or depart
| ment of the business. He would
/ know precisely what the duties ana
| the activities of each bureau or div4-
| sion are ia order to prevent overlap
| ping. No adequate machinery at pres
eTlt exists for supplying the President
| of the United States with such In
| formation respecting the business for
which he Is responsible. For the first
| time in the history OF the govern
ment. Congress in the last session
| supplied this need and made an ap-
| preparation to enable the President
| TO inquire into the economy and efti-
cheney of the executive departments,
and am now assembling sn organi-
cation for the purpose.
AT the outset | md comparison be-
/ tween departments and bureaus I'M
| possible for the reason that in 10 two
| departments arc the estimates and
| expenditures displayed and classified
alike. The first step Is to reduce all
! To common standard for classified
| ton and Judgment and this work is
| now being done. When it IL com
| pleted tho foundation will be laid for
! business like national budget, and
for such just comparison Of the
economy and efficiency with which
the several bureaus and divisions are
| conducted as will enable the Presi-
dent and the heads of departments
to detect waste, eliminate duplication,
encourage the Intelligent and effective
civil servants whose efforts too often
| 60 unnoticed, and secure the public
service at the lowest possible cost
Economy and F,niciency.
The committees on appropriations
OF Congress have diligently worked
10 reduce the expenses OF govern
ment and have found their efforts
often blocked by lack of accurate in
formation containing proper analy-
sis of requirements and Of actual and
reasonable costs. Tho result of this
inquiry should enable the executive
IN his communications to Congress to
give Information to which Congress
Is entitled and which VII enable II to
promote economy.
] have requested the head of each
department to appoint committees on
economy and efficiency In order to se-
! cure full cooperation In the move
ment by the employees OF the gov
eminent themselves.
urge the continuance of the ap-
preparation Of 100000 requested for
the fiscal year 1912.
My experience leads me 10 believe
that while government methods are
much criticised the bad results-if
we do have bad results-are not due
to lack OF zeal or Willingness on
the part Of the civil servants, on the
contrary, ! believe that q fine spirit
of willingness TO work exists in the
personnel. which, II properly encour.
aged. will produce results equal to
those secured In the bert managed
private enterprises. In handling gov
eminent expenditure the aim il not
proiit--the aim iS the maximum OF
public service at the minimum of cost.
We wish to reduce the expenditures
OF the government. and We wish to
save money to enable the government
to 90 into some OF the beneficial pro-
jects which We are tiebarred from
taking up now because we ought not
to Increase our expenditures,
At a later date l shall send to con-
gress 9 special message on this gem
eral subject.
Civil Service REQUIREMENTS.
It Is impossible to proceed far In
such an Investigation without perceiv-
ing the need of a suitable means OF
eliminating from the service the SUI
perannuated. This can be done In one
Of two ways, either by straight civil
pension or BY some form Of contribu-
tory plan. \,
Careful study Of exkerments made
by foreign governmants shows that
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