The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1910-12-09

portation. under the Erdman act. joint
ly with the chairman OF the Interstate
commerce commission.
Il cannot speak In too high terms OF
the success OF the two officers in con-
ciliation and settlement OF controver-
sizes which but for their interposition.
would have resulted disastrously to all
interests.
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 to-
day. Oficers responsible for the pol.
icy OF the administration. and their
immediate personal assistants OF depu-
ties. should not be included within the
classified service. but In my judg-
ment. public opinion has advanced to
the point where II would support bill
providing a secure tenure during EN-
cheney for all purely administrative
officials. entertain the profound con.
viction that II would greatly aid the
cause OF efficient and economical gov
crnment and OF better politics II con-
gress could enact bill providing that
the executive shall have the power
10 include In the classified service all
local Offices under the treasury depart
ment. the department OF justice. the
postoffice department. the interior de-
partment and the department OF COM
merce and labor. appointments to
which now require the confirmation
OF the senate, and that upon such
classification the advice and consent
OF the senate shall cease TO be re-
quired in such appointments. BY
their certainty Of tenure. dependent on
good service. and by their freedom
from the necessity for political activ-
ity. these local officers would be in
duced to become more efficient public
servants.
Economy and Efficiency.
The increase in the activities and
in the annual expenditures of the fed
eral government has been so 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 efficiency
with which the government of today 10
being carried on. The responsibility
rests upon the head OF the administra-
ton. He is held accountable by the
public. and properly so. Despite the
unselfish and patriotic efforts Of the
heads OF departments and others
| charged with responsibility OF govern
ment. there has grown up in this coun-
: try conviction that the expenses of
government are too great. The fun
} damental reason for the existence I'M
detected OF waste. duplication, and bad
= management is the lack OF prompt. &C
{ curate information.
3 Il have requested the head OF each
+ department to appoint committees on
+ economy aud efficiency In order TO Sc
cure full cooperation in the movement
s by the employees OF the government
y themselves.
# Il urge the continuance OF the APP
y preparation OF 100000 requested for
h tho fiscal year 1912.
4 "My experience leads me to believe
!" that while government methods are
much criticized, the bad resultsif we
\, do have bad results-are not due TO
: lack OF zeal or willingness on the part
of the civil servants"
y Interstate Commerce.
:. There has not been time to test the
:. benefit and utility OF the amendments
n. to the Interstate commerce law con-
10 tanned in the act approved June Is.
"a 1910. The law as enacted did not con-
y tain all the features which | recon-
n mended II did not specifically de-
In nounce as unlawful the purchase by
a one OF two parallel and competing
.. roads OF the stock OF the other Nor
r. did IL subject to the restraining infu-
N ence OF the Interstate Commerce COM
mission the power OF corporations en-
gagged in operating interstate railroads
to issue new stock and bonds; nor did
n it authorize the making OF temporary
d agreements between railroads limited
- to 30 days. fixing the same rates for
VI trafic between the same places.
ie Il do not press the consideration OF
u any OF these objects upon congress at
this session.
THE interstate commerce commits
sion has recommended appropriations
for the purpose OF enabling II 10 enter
upon valuation OF all railroads. This
!. has always been within the jurisdic-
ton OF the commission. but the requi-
- site funds have been wanting Stalls
!. tics to the value OF each railroad would
be valuable for many purposes. espe-
=, cially II we ultimately enact any linn
- itations upon the power OF the inter
state railroads TO issue stocks and
bonds. as | hope we may
For the protection OF our own
m people and the preservation OF our
ST. credit in foreign trade. urge upon
congress the immediate enactment OF
a. a law under which one who. In good
ng faith. advances money or credit upon
or a bill OF ladlng issued by common
lis carrier upon an interstate or foreign
In shipment can hold the carrier liable
er for the value OF the goods described
50 in the bill at the valuation specified
IN in the bill. at least to the extent OF the
advances made In reliance upon II.
of Il further recommend that punish