The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-12-09

portation. under the Erdman act. 3ohA
~ with the chairman Of the interstate
commerce commission.
Il cannot speak In too high terms q
the success Of the two officers In con
Citation and settlement Of controves>
sizes which, but for their interpositioo,
would have resulted disastrously to III
interests.
Civil Service Commission.
Tho civil service commission haA
continued It's useful duties during the
year. The necessity for the maints-
nance of the provisions Of the civu
service law was never greater than 10
day. Officers responsible for tho pol
Icy Of the administration. and their
immediate personal assistants or depu-
ties. should not be included within the
CLASSIFIED service. but In my judo.
ment. public opinion has advanced -
the point where II would support . BIN
providing . secure tenure during en-
cheney for al purely administrative
oficials. I entertain the profound con.
viction that II would greatly aid the
cause Of efficient and economical gov.
eminent and OF better politics II con
gress could enact bill providing that
the executive shall have the power
to include In the classified service al
local ofIlces under the treasury depart
ment. the department OF Justice, the
postofiace department, the interior de-
partment and the department Of com
merco 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 b -
quired in such appointments. ny
their certainty Of tenure. dependent on
good service. and by their freedom
from tho necessity for political activ>
ity. these local officers would b. In
duced to become more efficient public
servants.
Economy and Esaclsncy.
"The increase In tho activities ana
In the annual expenditures OF the ted.
eral government has been 40 rapid
and 80 great that the time has come
to check tho expansion Of government
activities in new directions until "
have tested the economy and efiicieucy
with which tho government of today u
being carried on. Tho responsibility
rests upon tho head of tho administra,
ton. He In held accountable by the
public. and properly 30. Despite the
unselflsh and patriotic efforts OF the
heads Of departments and others
charged with responsibility of govern
ment. there has grown up In this coun-
try u conviction that tho expenses Of
government are too great The run
danental reason for tho existence un-
detected Of waste, duplication, and bad
management Is the lack Of prompt, %.
curate information.
Il have requested tho head of each
department to appoint committees On
economy and efficiency in order to -
cure full cooperation In the movement
by the employees Of the government
themselves.
II urge the continuance OF the ap.
preparation OF 100000 requested eus
the fiscal year 1912.
MY experience leads mo to BELIEVE
that while government methods are
much criticized. the bad results--if -
do have bad results-are not duo to Q
lack Of zeal or willingness on the part
Of tho civil servants"
interstate commsrcs.
There has not been time to test the
benefit and utility OF the amendments
to the interstate commerce law con
tanned In the act approved June IL
1910. The law n enacted did not CON
tain all tho features which I recon-
mended. Il did not specifically do
nounco a. unlawful the purchase b.
one Of two parallel and competing
roads Of tho stock Of the other. Nor
did It subject to the restraining in0u-
cnce OF tho Interstate Commerce COM
mission the power Of corporations -
gagged In operating interstate railroads
to issue new stock and bonds: nor an
II authorize tho making of temporary
agreements between railroads limited
to 30 days. fixing tho same rates fos
tradlc between the same places.
Il do not press the consideration q
any Of these objects upon congress q
this session.
Tho interstate commerce commits
sion has recommended appropriations
for the purpose Of enabling Il to sntse
upon valuation Of all railroads. This
has always been within the jurisdio.
ton Of the commission. but the requl.
site funds have bsen wanting. Stats.
tics TO the value Of each railroad would
b valuable for many purposes. espo.
cially II We ultimately enact any Nm
itations upon the power OF tho intse.
state railroads 70 issue stocks and
bonds. - hope We may.
Tor the protection OF our ovA
people and the preservation Of o.
credit In foreign trade. urge upoa
congress the immediate enactment q
. Law under which ono who. In good
faith. advances money or credit upon
. bill Of lading issued by . commoa
carrier upon an interstate o. foreign
n henmnnt can hOlA tha ~.pvaNp 0aaha>