Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1912-01-19
SEES BETTER AND
CHEAPER SERVICE
President Submits an Economy
and Efficiency Message.
RESULTS OF INQUIRY TOLD
Special Commission Found Extrava-
giant and Antlquated Methods In
Government Work and Many
Unnecessary Offices.


Washington. President Taft has
submitted to congress special message
on economy and efficiency in the govern
ment service. The message In part IL az
follows:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
'tives:
submit for the information of the con-
gress this report Of progress made in the
inquiry iEto the efficiency and economy of
the methods of transactng public busi-
ness.
Efficiency and economy In the govern
ment service have been demanded with
increasing insistence for generation.
Real economy Is the result of efficient or
ganization. BY perfecting the organiza-
ton the same benefits may be obtained
at less expense. A reduction in the to-
tai OF the annual appropriations is not
In itself proof of economy, since 1t Is
often accompanied by decrease In eff
cheney The needs of the nation may de-
mand n large increase of expenditure, yet
to keep the total appropriation within
the expected reveneu is necessary to the
maintenance OF public credit.
Upon the president must rest large
share of the responsibility for the de-
mands made upon the treasury for the
current administration of the executive
branch OF the government. Upon the
congress must rest responsibility for
those grants of public funds which are
made for other purposes
Reason for tho Inquiry.
Recognizing my share of responsibility
for efficient and economical administra-
ton. i have endeavored during the past
two years, with the assistance of heads
OF departments. to secure the best re-
suits. AS one of the means to this end
requested grant from congress to
make my efforts more effective.
An appropriation OF 100000 was made
June 2 1910. to enable the president to
inquire into the methods of transacting
the public business of the executive de-
partments and other government estab-
lshments and to recommend to congress
such legislation as may be necessary to
carry Into effect changes found to be de-
sirable that cannot be accomplished by
executive action alone. have been given
this fund to enable me to take action
and to make specific recommendations
with respect to the details OF transacting
the business of IN organization whose ac
tivities are almost varied those Of
the entire business world. The opera
dons OF the Gjvernment affect the inter-
est of every person living within the jur-
tsdicton cf the United States Its or
ganization embraces stations and centers
of work located in every city and in
many local subdivisions of the country.
1.00o000,0C0 annually. Including the per-
sonnei OF the military and naval esta5-
nshme1ts. more than 100000 persons are
required to do the work imposed by law
upon the executive branch of the govern
ment
Plan of the Work.
In accordance with my Instructions. the
commission on economy and efficiency,
which l organized to aid me in the in
..,YN... N.~- H.,
to the formulation OF concrete recommen-
dations looking to the betterment of the
fundamental conditions under which gov
ernmental operations must be carried on.
With basis thus laid, II has proceeded
to the prosecution OF detailed studies of
individual services and classes of work,
and of particular practices and methods
pushing these studies as far and cover
Ing as many points and services. as the
resources and time at its disposal have
permitted.
In approaching It's task It has divided
the work into Ave fields OF inquiry hav-
ing to do respectively with organization
personnel. BUSINESS methods, accounting
and reporting, s.nd the budget.
Comprehensive Plan of Organization
On organization the commission has en-
tered upon the preparation of three series
of reports. The first series deals with
the manner IN which the services of the
government should be grouped in depart
ments. This is a matter of fundamental
importance. 1t is only after satisfac
tory solution of this problem that man,
important measures of reform become
possible.
The second and third series of reports
deal, respectively, with the organization
and activities OF particular services and
the form of organization for the perform
ance Of particular business operations.
One of the reports of the second Sc
ries Is upon the revenue cutter service
which costs the government over two ant
a half million dollars each year. In tn,
opinion of the commission its varied ac
tvities can be performed with equal o.
greater, advantage by other services
The commission. therefore. recommend
that 1t be abolished. 1t is estimated tina
by so doing saving of not less than 81.
100000 a year can be made.
Another report illustrating the secon,
series recommends that the lighthous
and life saving services be administered
by single bureau. instead of as at pres
ent by two bureaus located in differen
departments. These services have mycl
in common. Geographically, they ar
similarly located; enthusiastically, the
have many of the same problems. 1t !
estimated that consolidation would resul
in a saving of not less than 100000 an
nually
Abolition Of Local Offices.
Perhaps the part of the organization 1
which the greatest economy In public eN
penditure Is possible Is to be found !
the numerous local Offices of the govern
ment. In some instances the establish
ment and the dscontinuance of these lC
cal offices are matters of administrativ
discretion. In other instances they al
established by permanent law in such
manner that their dscontinuance is bt
yond the power of the president or thi
of any executive officer.
The responsibility for the maintenano
of these conditions must naturally be d
vided between the congress and the ex,
cutIve. But that the executive has PEE
formed his duty when he has called II
attention of the congress to the matte
must also be admitted. Realizing my r.
sponslblity In the promises. have d
rected the commission to prepare n r.
port setting forth the positions In I'll
local segslces Of the government whic
may be discontinued with advantage Il
saving which would result from such a.