The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-04

creased by the adoption Of such plan. Internal RevenLe and Customs Offices. Large expenditures are made for sal aries of political arpointees in the in- ternal revenue and customs services. In both services a direct saving.in sal aries and an indirect economy through increased efficiency would follow a transfer of such offices to the classified service.
 Other Local Offices.
 In the other fed services the saving which would result from the classifica- tion of the local officers under the de- pGrtmentS is not as marked or prob ably capable of as exact estimation as in those mentioned. but there is no doubt that substantial savings would follow. It is not to be doubted that where no saving would result the classification of the local officers would increase the efficiency of the service. It would be desirable also to place all marshals, deputy marshals l and assistant attorneys in the classi- fed service, although but little direct economy would result. Supervising inspectors in the steamboat inspection service and the members of the field service in the bureau of fisheries should be placed in the classified service. Commissions Report on Local Offices.
 The report on methods of appoint ment submitted to me by the commis- sion, which covers fully the subject of appointments by the president by and with the advice and consent of the sen ate and recommends that various local officers, such as pOstmaSters, collectors of internal revenue. etc.. and heads of bureaus in the departmental service, be included in the classified service, Is transmitted herewith (appendix No. D. The report and recommendations are approved by me.
 Legislation Needed to Establish the
 Merit System.
 In the interest of an efficient and eco- nomical administration of the vast business of the government I urge the necessity for the inauguration of this important reform and recommend that the necessary amendments be made to the laws governing appointments, such amendments to take effect not later than July 1, 1913. so that there may be secured to the people the benefits to be derived from conduct of their affairs by officers selected on a merit basis ind devoting their time and talents solely to the duties of their offices.
 Consolidation of Lighthouse and Life
 Saving Services.
 The commissions report (appendix No. 2 recommends that the life say ing service of the department of the treasury be discontinued as a separate organization and that the maintenance and operation of the life saving sta tiOus of the country be made one of the duties of the bureau of lighthouses of the department of commerce and Iaior. I concur in this recommendation and urge that the necessary legislation for carrying it into effect be enacted.
 Both of these services are organized and maintained for the same general purpose-the protection of life and property endangered along the coasts and other navigable waters. Both maintain stations along the coast. which are located for the most part in close proximity. Both have sub stantially the same business problems to meet in locating, constructing and maintaining these stations; in recruit ing the personnel. in manufacturing or purchasing equipment; ill purchasing. housing in depots and distributing SUD- plies; in operating field inspection service. in maintaining teiephonic and ether means of communication. in dis bursing funds, in keeping proper books of accounts and in rendering reports showing financial and other transac- tiOns The maintenance of two sep arate services. as at present, means duplication of organization in respect to all of these operations The rec ommendation of the commission does not contemplate any essential change in the work of the life saving stations. It is for the transfer of the business management of these institutions to the bureau of lighthouses. That bu- reau, being fully organized for the ad- ministration of stations of this char acter. will be able to. direct and man. age these stations with comparatively little addition to its present force and equipment The commission estimates that, in addition to the advantage that will be obained through having these two services operated by the same or ganization, direct economy will be secured of at least S1OO,O00 annually and that the saving will greatly ex- ceed this sum after the first year. Revenue Cutter Service.
 The report of the commission on the revenue cutter service taprendix No. B represents a detailed inyestiga tion of the history. organization and actlvi- ties of this branch of the government service and its relations to other saSv- ices. The conclusion is reached that all of the duties now being performed by this service can be performed with equal efficiency by other services and that great economy will result by having these duties so performed. The commission accordingly recommends that thc service be abolished as dis tinct organization. that it's equipment he distributed among other services requiring the use of marine craft anl that provision be made for the per formance of the work now being done by it by such other services.
 With these fundamental recommen-