The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-17


Il ask said the president. the con
tlnuance of this commission on econ
orny and efficiency because of the ex-
cellent beginning which has been
made towards the reorganization of
the machinery OF this government on
business principles I ask it because
It's work is entirely non-partisan in
character and ought TO apply to ev-
cry citizen who wishes to give effec-
uVeneSS to popular government in
which We feel a just pride. I sincere
ly hope that congress will not in its
anxiety to reduce expenditures, econ
which is likely to offer greater oppor-
tunity for real economy in the future
than any other estimated for
Has Cost S13O,OOO.
To date the president said. the COM
mission has cost the people about
$4,000 Without having put in ef-
feet more than a few reforms it has
suggested changes that will save So
100000 a year. These said the
president, represent only a few of the
many services which should be sub
jected to a like painstaking inquiry. If
this is done, it is beyond question that
many millions of savings may be real
lied" The value of such investigation
in increased interest which officers OF
the government will take in their own
departments; their own work and that
of their subordinates, he said, could
hardly be estimated.
Taft, has been we'll done. The in
quiry with its constructive measures
is well under way. The work should
now be prosecuted with vigor and re-
cei- the financial support necessary
to make it effective during the next
fiscal year. Every economy which has
zen or will be effected through
changes in organization or method viii
inure to the benefit Of the government
and of the people in increasing meas
ure through the years which follow
am convinced that results which are
really worth while cannot be secured,
or at least can be secured only in
small part through the prosecution at
irregular intervals or special inquiries
bearing on particular services orI
features of administration. The ben
Gifts thus obtained must be but tenn
porary. The problem of good admin
istration is not one that can be solved
at one time. 1t is a continuously pres
ent one-'
Cost Can Be Lessened.
In many ways the president inform
led congress, a. decrease in the cost of
government might be assured. There
is need, he said, of reorganization of
the government departm ents, a consoI-
1dau 4 and a wedding out or bureaus
that overlap in their work; scores OF
local offices" throughout the country
should be abolished and hundreds of
political appointeeS who do but little
work should be taken off the pay roll
and there should be an Improvement
in the personnel of government en- !
ployees through the introduction of the |
civil service in practically every field; |
business methods should be employed |
by Uuele sam just as big corporations |
use them, q modern system of account |
ing and reporting should be adopted, !
and last of all the economy commits !
sion should be continued in its work. |
The treasury department. Mr. Taft
showed, looked after the nations fl |
nauces and the life saving service. The |
commission. he said, lad recommend
ed the abolition Of the revenue cut |
ing O. $1,000. - a year
Treat All Alike.
The greatest enonomy and efic- |
iency and the benefits which may ac- |
crue from the Presidents devotirg his I
time to the work which is lost worth |
WHILE said the President may be as |
sured only by treating all the distinct |
ly administrative officers in the depart |
at Washington and in the field in the /
same way as inferior officers have been |
treated The time has come when /
all these officers should be placed in /
also come when those provisions of |
law which give to those officers a /
fixed term of years should be repealed. I
So long as a fixed term of years is |
provided by law the question of re-
appointment of an officer, no matter |
how efficiently he may have perform |
ed his duties, will inevitably be raised I
periodically. So long as appointments /
to these offices must be confirmed /
by the senate, and so long as ap-
Dointments to them must be made |