The Washington times., 1912-04-04
TAFT, IN
MESSAGE, URGES
CUT IN PATRONAGE
Document Submitted to Con-
gress Suggests Means
to Save Money.

Abolition Of the patronage system of
appointees in postoffices, pension
agencies, land Offices, internal revenue,
and customs services, and transfer of
such political jobs to the classified civil
service list of the Government, was
the sweeping recommendation urged
upon Congress today by President Taft,
in a second d-chapter" message on
Economy and Efficiency"
In the Postoffce Department, the
President declared that the investiga-
tons of the Economy Commission indi-
Gated that in many cases two persons
were paid for doing the work of one.
For example" the message declares,
1t appears that a very substantial
economy would result from putting eX-
perienced and trained officers in charge
of the first and second class postoffices,
instead of selecting the postmasters in
accordance with the present practice.
As the annual operating expenses of
the first and second class offices ag-
gregate the enormous sum OF more
than $So,OOOOOoo undoubtedly, il the
postmasters of these offices were en-
braced in the classified service, and re-
quired to devote all their time to the
public service, the annual saving due
to increased efficiency of operation
Would Abolish Them.
A further similar saving, the message
declared, would be effected by abolition
of assistant postmasters.
An annual saving of nearly $62, 900
would be made, Mr.. Taft asserted, if
pension agents were put ip the civil
service list. More efficient work would
be coupled with economical administra-
tion. he said, If the post of receiver
at land offices be abolished, and the
register given those duties in addition
to his own. and put on the classified list
Large expenditures are made for SAL
aries Of political appointees in the in
ternal revenue and customs SERVICE"
the message continued. In both, a di-
rect saving in salaries and an indirect
economy through increased efficiency,
would Follow a transfer of such offices
to the classified service.
In the other field services the saving
which would result from the Classifica-
ton OF the local officers under the de-
partments is not as marked or prob
ably capable OF as exact estimation as
in those mentioned, but there is no
doubt that substantial saving would fol-
low. 1t is not to be doubted that where
no saving would result the classification
would Increase the efficiency of tho
service. 1t would be desirable also to
place all marshals, deputy marshals,
and assistant attorneys in the classified
service, although but little direct econ
omy would result"
Other officers urged for the civil|serv-
Ice were steamboat inspectors and
/ field agents of the Bureau of Fisheries
I'm the interest of an efficient and
economical administration Of the vast
business of the Government" the Presi-
dent summed up, '1 urge the necessity
for the Inauguration of this important
reform and recommend that the neces-
sary amendments be made 20 the laws
governing appointments, such amend
ments to take effect not later than
July I, 1913. so that there may he OBJ
tained to the people the benefits to be
derived from q conduct of their affaIr
by officers selected on merit basis and
devoting their time and talents solely
TO the duties of their offices"
Other Reforms Urged.
Other reforms in the interest of econ
omy urged in the message were:
Consolidation OF the lighthouse and
life saving service, estimated saving
annually 100000.
Consolidation of the Revenue Cutter
Service with the Department of CON-
merce and Labor
Consolidation Of the auditing offices
of the departments. estimated saving
100000 yearly.
Legislation unifying travel expenses
for Government officers.
systems.
A central distributing office for mail
ing of all public documents; estimated
annual saving, $4,000
Simplifcation OF the estimating sys-
tenn for appropriations, estimated saw
ing &J 600 annually.
In conclusion the President declares
"In submitting these reports, with
recommendations, | will state that in
my opinion each of the foregoing recon-
mendatiOns II acted on, will contribute
largely to increase efficiency. Directly
and indirectly. the changes proposed
will result in the saving of many mil
lions of dollars to the public funds. This
will leave Congress free to determine
whether the amount thus saved shall
be utilized to reduce taxation or to pro-
vide funds with which to extend activ!-
ties already carried on and to enter
on beneficial projects which otherwise
could not be undertaken for lack Of
funds"
Mr. Taft also asked for $25o,OOO addl-
tional appropriation for the economy
commission.
Miss Halle HerriOtt