The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-06

system now in vogue in New York city
has shown underappraisement and a
sacrifice of the interests of the gov
eminent, which is in the course of
being remedied by reorganization and
the employment of competent experts.
Prosecutions have been instituted grow
ing out of the frauds there discovered
and are now awaiting hearing in the
federal courts.
Very great improvements have been
made In respect to the minis and assay
offices. Diminished appropriations have
been asked for those whose continu-
ance is unnecessary, and this years es-
innate of expenses is $4,000 less than
two years ago. There is an Opportu-
nitv for further saving in the abolition
of several minis and assay offices that
have now become unnecessary. Dur
ing the past year 100 unnecessary en-
ployees have been dropped from the
Philadelphia mint. Modern machinery
has been installed there, more and bet
ter work has been done, and the appro-
priations have been consequently d.
minished.
In the bureau of engraving and print
ing great economies have been effect
ed. Useless divisions have been abol-
ished with the result of saving $44O,-
600 this year in the total expenses Of
the bureau despite increased business.
The treasurer's office and that of the
division of public moneys in part cover
the same functions, and this is also
true of the ONCE of the register and
the division of loans and currency.
Plans for the elimination of the dupli-
cation in these Offices will be presented
to congress.
The Office of the comptroller Of the
currency is one most important in the
preservation of proper banking meth
DDS in the national banking system of
the United States, and the present
comptroller has impressed his subordi-
mates with the necessity of so conduct
ing their investigations as to establish
the principle that every bank failure is
unnecessary because proper inspection
and notice of threatening conditions
to the responsible directors and officers
can prevent It.
Public Buildings.
In our public buildings we still suf-
fer from the method of appropriation
which has been so much criticised in
connection with our rivers and har-
bors. Some method should be devised
for controlling the supply of public
buildings so that they will harmonic
with the actual needs of the govern
ment. Not only are buildings appropri-
ated for by congress which are not
needed and buildings left unappropri-
ated for by congress which are needed,
but when it comes to the actual con-
struction there has been in the past
too little study of the building plans
and sites with a view to the actual
needs of the government.
Postofice buildings which are in eff
feet warehouses for the economical
handling of transportation of thou
sands of tons of mail have been made
monumental structures and often To-
Gated far from the convenient and eco
nomical spot. In the actual construc-
ton of the buildings a closer scrutiny
| of the methods employed by the gov
eminent architects or by architects en-
ployed by the government has result
ed In decided economies.
1t is hoped that more time will give
opportunity for a more thorough reor-
ganization. The last public building
bill carried authorization for the ulti
mate expenditure of $33, oil 500, and
approved it because of the many good
features it contained, just as l ap-
proved the river and harbor bill, but
| It was drawn upon a principle that
ought to be abandoned. 1t seems to
me that the wiser method of prepar-
ing a public building bill would be the
| preparation of a report by a commits.
| sion of government experts whose
duty it should be to report to con.
gress the governments needs in the
way of the construction of public
buildings in every part of the coun-
try, just as the army engineers make
report with reference to the utility OF
proposed improvements in rivers and
harbors, with the added function
which 1 have recommended for the
army engineers of including in Their
! recommendation the relative impor-
lance of the various projects found tc
be worthy Of approval and execution.
Revenues.
AS the treasury department is the
one through which the income of the
| government is collected and its ex-
penditures are disbursed, this seems q
proper place to consider the operation
Of the existing tariff bill, which be,
came law Aug. 6, 1909. AS an in
come producing measure the existing
tariff bill has never been exceeded by
any customs bill in the history of the
/ country.
The corporation excise tax, proper
toned to the net income of every bust
ness corporation in the country, has
worked well. The tax has been easily
collected. Its prompt payment indi
Gates that the incidence of the tax has
not been heavy. 1t offers. moreover
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