The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-04-24
John HARRIS, LnrrsR
Proposed Economics at Washington
Creating Much Discussion

tor Aldrich stated on the floor OF the
Senate two years ago that the govern
ment could be saved little matter of
two or three hundred million dollars
by reorganlzlng the administrative
departments and placing them on q
scientific business basis he knew
whereof he spoke, and he meant IT,
However, the statement caused only
q brief half hours sensation.
At least nine different investigating
committees are getting down to bus
mess just now In looking into the ad-
ministration OF as many departments.
AS many more committees will inves-
tigate the duties and needs and ex-
pense OF various commissions which
are attached In devious ways to the
public service. Why were they con-
stituted? What are they doing? What
is the amount OF their annual rake
off? Have they outlived their use
fulness, II they ever had any? The
Investigating committees now timber
ed up for action propose to probe
deep and sideways, and show up the
results to the public. PROFESSIONALLY
they will uncover some matters which
will cause surprise, to say nothing OF
anguish, dlsmay and the like OF that
1t is we'll known here and indis-
tinctly throughout the country that
the government is encountered with
its number of alleged purposes. Just
what they are costing and what they
are doing, II anything, is not SO plain
The democracy of the House suspect
that many of them are mere barna-
Giles on the hull of the ship of state,
and they are going to drag them into
the spotlight. Because of which and
therefore, there is hurrying to and
fro these halcyon spring days.
The House majority unofficially an
nounces that II has reason to believe
and will attempt to demonstrate that
the sum of two hundreds of millions
dollars can be and will be saved an
nually in the operation of the govern
ment If the legislation which they
will propose and the recommends
tions which they will make are accep-
ted and acted upon by this congress.
Certainly they should have the oppor-
tunity of making good, and 1t will be
rash and mistaken combination of
individuals which attempts to stand
In the way.
The political sincerity OF the dem
ocracy in melting a food of investi-
eating committees and in announcing
by implication the discovery OF extern
siye methods of disagreement will
OF course be questioned. II is alleged
that their real object is only the Sc
curing of campaign material Let us
wait and see. II this is a fact il will
be easily demonstrated. In that case
their economy and reform pretensions
will fall fat. II, on the other hand,
their probings and prunings bear
fruit, the people will be swift to rec
ognize this fact and will award them
due credit. II the administration has
nothing to fear, it need not be wor-
ried. If 1t has things to fear then
worrying or excuses or explanations
will do no good 1t will simply take
what is coming to it,
Whether these investigating com
mittees find any appreciate per cent
of as much disagreement as their
advance agents advertise may be
doubted, but that they will find many
opportunities for retrenchment and
administrative reform may as well be
conceded In advance. That a first
class business man would not toler-
ate for a moment conditions known to
exist tn many departments is fact.
The administration is aware of all
this and Is continually trying to de-
wise ways and means to correct these
troubles. Clerks are on the rolls who
by reason of age or other infirmity,
are really of no value in the service.
Whenever 1t is proposed to cut these
incompetents off the payroll a howl
of distress goes up from a thousand
quarters regarding the cruelty" Of
the government in casting aside the
helpless and needy who have given
the best years of their lives to the ser
vice
So, from motives of mercy and pity
these are retained and the govern
ment continues its worry over what
should best be done in the premises.
Schemes for saving here and there
are continually put in operation, all
in the way of patchwork. A business
reorganization, regardless of influence
age, sickness or the fear or favor OF
any man would undoubtedly work
marvels all along the lines OF econ
Iomy and general business efficiency
but II is q mighty ticklish and deli
cate job. Who will bell the cat? In
government by political parties is one
party capable of any more patriotic
and disinterested work than another
The cry of economy and promise o.
reform-always by the outs
sounds well, but by their fruits W,
shall know them The democratic,
House has chance to demonstrate
Let us wait and see what the harves
, will be.
The latest attempt to take a fal
out of the constitution comes from
Representative Hardwick of Georgia
who now proposes to repeal the -Four
tenth amendment. Everybody Il
trying to put crimp in the poor oil
constitution these days, and Hard
wick considers 1t an opportune TIM
|, to take crack at it. Wheneve
time hangs heavy on the hands of
southern congressman, whenever h
thinks he needs fresh bunch of nc
tees in the home papers, he introdu
oes a resolution to repeal the -Four
teenth amendment and deprive tn
negroes of suffrage rights. Jus
what their status would be, neithe
bond nor free. presents a question
which they have not yet discussed
An old clergyman confined to
youthful one that 1t was always SAT
to preach against the devil, because i
l was probable that he wouldn't hav