Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06

The methods used at many places are
archaic. There would seem TO De no rea-
son at all why the surveyor OF the port.
who really acts for the collector. shouid
MOI he a subordinate of the collector at
less salary and directly under his control
and there is but little reason for the eX-
istence of the naval officer, who is q
kind of local auditor. His work IS NANNY
an examination OF accounts whlcn Is con,
Quoted again in Washington ana Whlch
results in no greater security to the gov
erament. The naval officers in the vari-
Gus ports are presidential appolhtees,
many of them drawing good salaries, anu
those offices should be abolished or with
reduced force made part Of the central
auditing system.
Too Many Customs Collectors.
There are entirely too many customs
districts and too many customs collectors
These districts should be consolidated
and the collectors in charge Of them, who
draw good salaries, many Of them out OF
proportion to the collections made, should
be abolished or treated as mere branch
offices, in accordance with the plan Of the
Treasury Department. which will be pre-
scented for the consideration Of Congress.
AS an illustration, the cost of collecting
81 of revenue at typical small ports like
the port of York, Me-, was 5000. At
the port of Annapolis. Nd, it cost $500. Al
to collect 81 of revenue; at Natchez,
$52.76; at Alexandria. Va, $122.45.
1t is not essential to the preventing OF
smuggling that customs districts should
be increased in number. The violation OF
the customs laws can be quite as easily
prevented, and much more economically,
by the revenue-cutter service and by the
use Of the special agent travelling force
Of the Treasury Department. A reorgani-
zation of the special customs agents has
been perfected with view to retaining
only those who have special knowledge OF
the customs laws. regulations. and usual
methods of evasion, and with this i'm
provement there will be no danger to the
government from the recommended con-
solicitation and abolition Of customs dis
tricts.
The New York Frauds.
An Investigation of the appraising sys-
tenn now in vogue in New York city has
shown under-appraisement and q sacrifice
of the interests OF the government. which
Is In the course Of being remedied by re-
organization and the employment Of COM
petent experts. Prosecutions have been
instituted growing 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 continuance is
unnecessary. and this years estimate of
expenses is $4,000 less than two years
saving in the abolition of several minis
and assay offices that have now become
unnecessary. During the past year lot
unnecessary employees have been drop
machinery has been installed there. more
and better work has been done, and the
appropriations have been consequently
diminished.
In the bureau OF engraving and printing
great economies have been effected. Use
less divisions have been abolished with
the result Of saving $4,000 this year in
the total expenses OF the bureau despite
increased business.
The treasurer's Office and that Of the
the same functions and this is also trus
of the ONCE of the register and the divi-
sion OF loans and currency. Plans for the
elimination of the duplication In these Of
fees will be presented to Congress.
The Office of the comptroller of the cur
rency Is one most important in the pres
ervatton of proper banking methods in
the national banking system of the
United states, and the present comp
troller has impressed his subordinates
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 suffer
from the method Of appropriation. which
has been so much criticised in connection
with our rivers and harbors. Som.
method should be devised for controlling
the supply Of public buildings, so tina
they will harmonic with the actual needs
of the government. Not only are build.
ings appropriated for by Congress which
are not needed, and buildings left unap.
propriated for by Congress which are
needed, but when 1t comes to the actual
construction there has been in the pas,
too little study Of the building plans and
sites with a view to the actual needs OF
the government. Post office buildings
which are in effect warehouses for the
economical handling Of transportation OF
thousands of tons Of mail have been made
monumental structures, and often located
far from the convenient and economical
spot. In the actual construction of the
buildings closer scrutiny Of the methods
employed by the government architect,