The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-24
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Continued from Page one.

OF methods. keeping pace with the growth
OF the country in other lines, has grown
into a great business, in a class by itself
THE United States government, how
ever, still has in use obsolete methods Of
doing things. invented years ago. We
must find out what these methods are
before any intelligent action can be taken
looking to improving them. You cannot
improve until you know conditions.
Biggest Business in World.
1.-The country is like nothing so much
as great manufacturing concern, with
capital of s14O,O0O0OO.OO0, with 7O,oOO.OOO
stockholders and board of directors
composed of the members of Congress,
with the President as chairman of the
board We must approach our problem
with that smile In mind. realizing that
this is perhaps the biggest business in
the world. and the people of the country,
the 1000, coo stockholders. ought. and. I
think. viii, welcome an investigation into
the way their business is being conducted
for them by the board of directors.
II do not think the line of this inves-
tigation should be for the purpose of
cutting down expenses. merely. It should
be for the purpose of increasing the pur-
chasing power OF the governmental dol
lar. The public should not get the idea
that the commission is TO be formed for
the purpose of dismissing employees and
saving a few thousands OF dollars here
and there. My idea is that the commits
sion should work rather on the line OF
evolving merit systems, holding out TO
the government employe a realization
that demonstrations of good service will
receive proper recognition. thus increas-
ing the efficiency and the esprit de corps
OF governmental service.
II was greatly impressed last summer
with the work being done by the Treas
ury Department, when experts were en-
ployed to investigate systems and
methods In six bureaus. alone. recon-
mendations were made necessitating no
additional, expense in the adoption Of
which more than $4,000 was saved TO the
government.
This is the kind OF thing we must do
on large scale with this commission.
With the proper personnel. we can. with
in two years, make recommendations in
creasing the purchasing power Of the
governmental dollar from 10 to 20 per
cent. Where we now spend x.000.000 a
year, we can, with the business methods
commission. make recommendation that
will give Us from 500, 900 to 500. 600
more purchasing power a year"
4 Case In Point.
Senator Bourne's attention was called
to the discussion now going on between
the Weather Bureau and the Hydro
graphic ONCE. as to who shall make the
governments pilot charts, and he was re-
minded that the Weather Bureau is ask
ing permission to make the charts, be-
cause they furnish the photographic Of
fee with 80 per cent OF the information
used in their compilation. Senator
Bourne would not comment on this, say
ing he did not desire TO take up specific
instances Of duplication OF work That
would be left for the commission. the
Senator declared.
Comment was made last night, in con-
.nection with the proposed commission. on
the speech made on Monday by Repre-
sentative Mann. chairman OF the House
Committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce. in which he said the govern
ment was wasting a lot OF money on ex-
pensive legal talent
In Chicago" Mr.. Mann said. Il met
In the court one day three high-priced
and specially hired lawyers who had
come all the way from Washington t.
represent the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. They were not there to argue,
but merely to make formal motions. and
it seems TO me that what they did might
have been done just as well by a clerk"
It is expense TO the government Of this
sort that the proposed business methods
commission will investigate.