The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-10-16
ECONOMY EXPERT
BEGINS BIG JOB
Has Taken Headquarters at
the White House
CLEVELAND Is EXPERT
VIII Try to Put u. s. Government on
Business Bnsis--Asks the CO.
operation of the EN-
plOyes
CLEVELAND Is EXPERT
by RoDERICK CLIFFORD

economy expert has taken hold of the
United States government He Is quar-
tered in the White House, is working day
and night, and is aiming to bring to
realization President Taft's idea of saving
the United States government run on
business principals.
The expert is Frederick A. Cleveland.
director of the Bureau of Municipal Re-
search of New York city. He is spe-
of business houses and in reorganizing
them on a scientific basis, with the one
thought of saving money and creating
efficiency. Mr.. cleveland was men,
Der of Major McClellan's advisory COM
mission on finance and taxation. a MEM
Der of Comptroller Metzs commission
on the revision of accounts and methods
of the city of New York and recently has
been engaged in a little heralded but
thoroughly practical reform In the city
government of Philadelphia. The best
informed on the matter In washington
agree In declaring that Mr.. Cleveland Is
an ideal selection for the peculiar pur-
pose for which President Taft wants
him. Congress at its last session appro-
priated 100000 to be used by the Presl-
dent in investigating economy methods
Later on Mr.. Cleveland Is to have staff
of experts who are to assist him in his
work.
The part that the employees of the gov
eminent are to play in the reorganization
of the governments administrator Is
important, but there is not to De, as
some newspapers have announced, gen
eral discharge of the old clerks, or those
who, under the present system nave not
been given enough work to keep them
busy Cooperation is to be the order of
the dav. and suggestion from any clerk
will be welcomed and used for what 1t Is
worth No one knows better than the
men in charge of the work that the gov
eminent employe, as rule. has In him.
perhaps unused, possibilities of service
which have not been recognized. Just
so far as the government clerk is willing
to help Uncle SAM" said one of the prime
movers in the economy reform, Just so
far is Uncle Sam going to help the
clerk"
The history of the origin of 1.-THE Pres
ident's plan of efficiency reform is yet to
be written, for the White House talks lit
tie about it's work, but 1t is apparent to
everyone that in a quiet, almost unno-
ticeable fashion, a job has successfully
been launched which is going to be one
of theSbiggest tasks mot excepting the
Panama canaD that the government ever
put through. When all Is over but the
results the Taft administration VIII
stand out, the promoters of economy de-
clare, for the vigorous looping off of mill
voll In
expense that have been nothing but
waste.
Discussing the problem, one of the
hackers said: Hereafter 1t cost
only pennies for letters which now take
dollars apiece to write; such Is the laxity
of the government clerical system"
Nothing could be more business-like
than the manner in which Mr.. Cleveland
and his aides are setting about their
tremendous task. First they take bird S
eve view of the whole administration
business situation The war department,
the navy. and then all of the nine other
executive departments will be looked over
superficially, but carefully. merely to
get bearings" Reforms have already
been Instituted in the treasury and post
office departments, hence they have
start over the other departments in the
race for honors in the money saved
contest.
Each executive department already has,
either in wording order or else about to
be so. a committee made up of its own
number to Investigate itself. These
committees will make any Recommended
ton to the department chiefs that seem
wise to them. The department chiefs. in
turn, will report and work with the
White House staff under Mr.. Cleveland.
The object is to get the whole system
working side by side, so that problems
of similar nature will be handled In
similar fashion wherever possible. The
President is at the head of the entire
efficiency investigation and to him every
thing will be finally submitted for action,
criticism and suggestion.
AS is self-evident the job on hand Is a
very big one. 1t means finding out why
everything in the regular routine is done,
how It Is DONE and how 1t can be done
better and cheaper. Can the filing system
be bettered? Can the stenography of
bureau be improved? Are there clumsy
and outworn methods in use? Can one set
of employees be used to do the work
which kept two sets half busy? Is there
one set of hands doing the work Of two?
Where can this gigantic business OF gov
eminent which s0.00O,oO0 persons are pay
Ing taxes to support be improved SO as
10 be run with the greatest freedom and
efficiency?
The task which therefore confronts the
men of the White House economy brig
ade is not spectacular one. 1t Is not
show work. The chances are that the
public will soon forget that 1t Is being
done and continue to growl at the waste
and extravaganza Of Uncle Sam. But
"time will show" 1t Is said. The pork
barrel has been doomed by President
Taft and this action 1t is assented IL
chara cteristic of what Is going to happen
to all extravaganza and waste In gov
ernmental expenditures The checking
of leakage and the bracing up of the fed
eral service Is another piece or work or
the same kind that President Taft has set
himself to accomplish during his occu-
pancy of the White House.
Those behind the movement wish 1t
fully understood that the work of In
vestigating and reorganization is going
on without any reference whatever to
partisan consideration. 1t Is the work
that Is being done for result alone. 1t Is
an undertaking that requires careful
though painstaking labor. patience and
much time.
President Taft has always entertained
the idea of instituting economy reform,
but It is only since Charles d. Norton
succeeded Frank Carpenter as secretary
to the President that def1nite steps were
taken to stop the waste In the entire
governmental service. Secretary Norton.
when assistant secretary Of the treasury
before coming to the White House.
started several economy reforms in the
administration of the treasury which
have been of great value. especially in
the way of creating great efficiency.