The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1911-04-12
EXPENSES GUT
BY DEMOCRATS
In Carrying on Govern
ment Affairs.
A SAVING OF MANY THOUSANDS
In Course of a Year Effected
BY Democratic Policies
Enforced.
CLARK's UNREPORTED SPEECH

(By Clyde c.. Tavenner. Special
Correspondent of The HeraldD
Washington, April S.-That the
doorkeeper of the House Of Repre-
sentatives has his thirteen-year-old
daughter on the payroll as clerk to
the doorkeeper" at a salary of ST.
200 year with an extra
months pay, was one of the
unique discoveries made by Con-
gresham A. Mitchell Palmer,
of the Ways and Means COM
mittee, while investigating use
less positions on the House payroll.
Palmer's retrenchment program was
unanimously adopted by the Demo-
cratic membership, rejecting the
greatest Of credit upon the young
pennsylvania member who has
come to be recognized as one of the
strongest leaders or the House. The
position of clerk to doorkeeper"
will be abolished.
Although the clerks document
room and all the Offices therein were
abolished by the statute in 1895,
the salaries aggregating 5000
went right on. The Republican ma
chine needed the patronage, and
why be discouraged by a little thing
like a statute?
Six useless hut expensive House
committees will be abolished. Saw
ing $4,000 year.
A saving of $4,000 a year will be
effected through dispensing with the
services of two attendants at the old
library space. These positions We're
created while the library was in the
capitol. The library was moved
many years ago. Since then the two
attendants have had nothing to at
tend to but blank space. 1t was an
easy Job.
Two night watchmen charged to
the folding room will be dropped.
oCNthlN -lOul pbllNtHltl d't ol uulN
at the capitol, and unless the two
stalwart Republican night watch
men watched the policemen, it is
difficult to understand how they put
in their time.
Here is another illustration Of
wastefuness in running the govern
ment: Before the telephone was in
vented, a telegraph wire was con-
structed between the capitol and war
department, for quick communica-
ton. Since the telephone has como
into existence, it has been used en-
clusively. But the jobs Of the twc
telegraphers remained At last
they are to be abolished, saving
$4,000 annually.
During the Spanish war; says
Mr.. Palmer, somebody's friend
told somebody's cousin that some
body's aunt had heard someone say
that a plot was on foot to dynamite
the capitol. Thirty-eight extra po-
licemen were added. They have re-
NAMED ever since"
The Palmer committee believes
the danger is now over, and will
have thirty-four private policemen
and one lieutenant given a perma-
nent leave of absence. Saving
$4,000 annually.
Retrenchment in the House alone
sums up as follows:
Saving under Speaker. ..$ 1890
Saving under clerk ....... 1890
Saving under Sergeant at
Arms =. ....... 1850
Saving under Doorkeeper. . 31,34O
Saving through abolishing
extra months pay. $4,000
Saving through abolishing
six useless committees $4,000
Total ;. =. .......... 1882, $50
Economy in public expense, that
labor may be lightly burdened," has
but just begun in Washington. One
department after another will be
taken up by the Democrats, and
wherever they have the power, they
will abolish useless Offices and sub
stitute a business administration for
wastefulness and extravaganza.