Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-01-18

lin one department it cost 1884 per
thousand. For handling outgoing mails
| in another department $S4.4U per
thousand for handling outgoing mali
one department expended $5.94 per
thousand: another $69.S9. Either one
department paid too much or the other
not enough, he said. In travel alone
the government expends about $l2,OUO,-
600 a year. Definite tests, he pointed
out, have shown that a saving in this
item alone of a little over half OF one
cent mile probably could be Ell.
Ifected.
~ Through the introduction of labor
aving machinery; through the elimina-
ton of unnecessary copy work, by
cutting down needless expense in the
distribution Of public documents and
in many other ways could millions be
saved each year The president
urged the adoption of the budget
system" which would bring before
congress, the press and the people OF
the country not only the proposed ex-
penditures of the government but it's
revenue. "The United States Is the
only great nation whose government
is operated without budget, ne
said. Later, the president declared, ne
intends to send to congress a plan for
the retirement of civil service en-
ployes on pensions which will safe
guard the government interest and
yet provide for their old age
Following are the recommendation
Of the president in relation to the re-
port made to him by the commission
on economy and efficiency:
TO the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives:
/ submit for the information OF the
congress this report of progress made
In the inquiry into the efficiency ana
economy Of the methods OF transact
ing public business.
Efficiency and economy in the gov
eminent service have been demanded
with increasing insistonce for gen.
Grafton. Real economy is the result OF
efficient organization. BY perfectlns
the orga nization the SAME benefits may
be obtained Mt less expense. A reduc-
ton IN the total Of the annual appro-
priations IL not III itself PROOF OF
economy, since 1t is often accompanied
by decrease in efficiency. The needs
of the nation may demand large iny
crease Of expenditure, yet to keep the
total appropriations within the ex-
pected revenue 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 execu-
tive branch of the government Upon
the congress must rest responsibility
for those grants of public funds which
are made for other purposes.
Reason For the Inquiry.
Recognizing my share Of responsible
ity for efficient and economical admin
istration, have endeavored during the
past two years, with the assistance OF
heads Of departments, to secure the
best results. AS one of the means 20
this end ] requested a grant from con.
eress to make my efforts more enec'
tive. \ -.
An appropriation of 100000 was
made June Is, 1910, ITO enable the
president to inquire into the methods
OF transacting the public business OF
the executive departments aud other
government Establishments and to rec
ommend to congress such legislation
40 may be necessary to carry into ef-
feet changes found to be desirable 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 transacfing
the business Of an organisation whose
activities are almost as varied as those
Of the entire business world. The op-
erations of the government affect the
interest OF every person living within
the jurisdiction Of the United States.
It's organization embraces stations and
centers Of work located in every city
and In many local subdivisions OF the
country. Its gross expenditures amount
to nearly s1.o0J,O 100000 annually. In.
Guiding the personnel of the military
and naval establishments, more than
400, 900 persons are required to do the
work imposed by law upon the execu-z
tive branch of the government.
Magnitude Of the Task.
This vast organization has never
been studied in detail as one piece OF
administrative mechanism. Never have
the foundations been laid for
thorough consideration Of the relations
Of all Of it's parts. No comprehensive
effort has been made to list its multi
farious activities or to group them IN
such way as to present clear pic
ture Of what the government IS doing
Never has n complete description been
given of the agencies through which
these activities are performed. At no
time has the attempt been made to
study ali OF these activities and agen-
cies with view to the assignment OF
each activity to the agency best fitted
for its performance, to the avoidance
of duplication OF plant and work. to
the Indignation Of all administrative