Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-01-17

Sere thst ths present expense for Ia
suring the faithful execution OF CON
tracts, which. though paid by the con-
tractor liz more than covered In the
added prize to the government. can be
largely reduced without taking away
any element of security.
The Importance of establishing and
maintaining standard specifications Is
found not only IN the possibility OF
very materially reducing the direct
cost of government trading. but also
la iHsnring to the service materials.
supplies and equipment wbioh4are bet
ter adapted to Its purposes. One of
the results Of Indebtedness Of specifi
cations is to impose contract cordi-
tons which make it extra hazardous
for persons to enter into contractual
relations. This not only deprtyes the
government of the advaHtagesof broad
competition, but causes 1t to pay an
added margin In price to vendors, who
must carry the risk.
Excessive Coat eof Trs~sI.
The annual cost OF travel to the GOV
eminent was found to he about $12,-
100000. 1t was ALSO found that the
government employees were travelling
In practically every way that was
open to the public. 1t was further
found that, although the government
was the largest user OF transportation,
1t was buying railroad tickets on a
less favorable haais than would be
possible II the xutject OF travelling e y
penditnres were systematically ham
died from the peintsso sview-Sf the
government as a whole. The form Of
ticket an5est often used between such
points as New York, Philadelphia and
Washington was the single trip FIRST
class ticket. In two depHrtments ded-
mite tests have been made in the use
of mileage books, and In each prac-
ticalIy the sane result has been are-
p0rtedEv1x+ an average saving of a lit
tie rover one-hnR OF I cent per mile.
One OF the results ortsbypreduets s0f
this inquiry into tFnvei expenses was
the recommendation lint the Jurat or
afadayit which Is nc4~ required by Of
Ger Of the comptroller be discontinued.
The jurat does net add to the value of
the return. involves persons travelling
in much annoyance and trouble In go
ing before an officer competent to ad-
minister oaths, while every discipline
ry result is obtained through certifca-
tion under the law pfescribiafg q pen
atty for the Justification of accounts.
"A diseontfuuance Of the jurat tn all
cases would resultafn a direct saving
OF about S60seo0 per nun
Other Expenditures to Be Investigated
Before economy In government trau-
ing can be adequately covered suen
subjects as the following must be sys-
tematdcally inquired into--viz: Subsist-
ence and support of persons ! subsist-
ence and care for animals and the stor-
age and care OF vehicles; telephone,
telegraph and eornmerciaf messenger
service; printing. engraving, litho-
graphing and binding; advertising and
the publication OF notices; heat. light,
power and electricity purchased; re-
pairs by contract and open market or
der; building and other materials;
drafting. scientific and stationery sup
plies: fuel; mechanics, engineering and
electricians supplies; cleaning and
toilet supplies; wearing apparel and
hand sewing supplies: forage and 9th
er supplies for animals; provisions. ex-
piosiyes and protecting supplies; heat,
light, power and electrical equipment;
live stock; furniture and furnishings;
educational and scientific equipment
From what has been already ascertain
ed concerning certain OF these differ
emit objects of government expenditure
it is evident that large savings will re
suit from such ala examination.
Reports At Present Required by Com
gress.A
The commission has made a study of
the present requirements OF law relat-
ing to reports which are In whole or
In part financial In character from the
various departments and establish