The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1912-01-19
President Submits an Economy
and Efficiency Message.
RESULTS OF INQUIRY TOLD
Special Commission Found Extrava-
CANT and Anticipated Methods IN
Government Work and Many
Unnecessary Offices.

WaSnlngtOn- - preBlOent Id1t mas
submitted to congress a special message
on economy and efficiency in the govern
ment service. The message In part il as
follows:
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
tives:
I submit for the Information Of the con-
gress this report Of progress made In the
inquiry into the efficiency and economy Of
the methods of transacting public bust
ness.
Efficiency and economy in the govern
ment service have been demanded with
increasing insistence for a generation.
Real economy is the result Of efficient or
ganization. By perfecting the organiza-
ton the same benefits may be obtained
at less expense. "A reduction in the to-
tai of the annual appropriations is not
In itself a proof Of economy, since 1t II
often accompanied by a decrease in eff
cheney. The needs of the nation may de-
mand a large increase Of expenditure, yet
to keep the total appropriation within
the expected reveneu is. necessary to the
maintenance of public credit.
Upon the president must rest a large
share of the responsibility for the de-
mands made upon the treasury for the
current administration of the executive
branch OF the government. Upon the
congress must rest responsibility for
SLAMS - puohS dIid VIII SAO
made for other purposes.
Reason for tho inquiry.
Recognizing my share Of responsibility
Tor efficient and economical administra-
ton. | have endeavored during the past
two years, with the assistance Of heads
OF departments, to secure the best re-
suits. AS one of the means to this end
requested a grant from congress to
make my efforts more effective.
~-i, - othn nn
June 25, 1910, to enable the president to
inquire into the methods of transacting
the public business OF the executive de-
partments and other government estab-
lishments and to recommend to congress
such legislation as may be necessary to
carry into effect changes found to be de-
sirable that cannot be accomplished by
executive action alone. I have been given
this fund to enable me to take action
and to make specific recommendations
with respect to the details Of transacting
the business OF an organization whose &C
tvfties are almost as varied as those OF
the entire business world. The opera
lions of the government affect the inter
est of every person living within the jur-
isdiction Of the United States. It's or
ganiZation embraces stations and centers
of work located in every city and In
many local subdivisions OF the country.
Its gross expenditures amount to nearly
LOCI, 000. 600 annually. Including the per-
sonnet OF the military and naval estab-
itshments. more than 1000 persons are
required to do the work imposed by law
upon the executive branch of the govern
ment.
Plan Of the Work.
In accordance with my instructions, the
commission on economy and efficiency,
which l organized to aid me in the In
quiry, has directed its efforts primarily
to the formulation OF concrete
dations looking to the betterment Of the
conditions under which gov
ernmental operations must be carried on.
With a basis thus laid. 1t has proceeded
to the prosecution OF detailed studies of
individual services and classes OF work,
and of particular practices and methods,
pushing these studies as far and cover
Ing as many points and services. as the
resources and time at Its disposal rave
permitted.
In approaching its task 1t has divided
the work into five fields of inquiry hav-
Ing to do respectively with organization
personnel, business methods, accounting
and reporting, and the budget.
Comprehensive Plan Of Organization.
On organization the commission has en-
tered upon the preparation OF three series
Of reports. The first series deals with
the manner in which the services of the
government should be grouped In depart
uleHlS. Ills Is u matter OF fundamental
Importance. 1t Is only after q satisfac-
tory solution Of this problem that many
important measures Of reform become
possible.
The second and third series Of reports
deal. respectively, with the organization
and activities OF particular services, and
the form OF organization for the perform
ance Of particular business operations.
One OF the reports Of the second Sc
ries Is upon the revenue cutter service,
which costs the government over two and
a half million dollars each year. In the
opinion of the commission its varied ac-
tivities can be performed with equal. or
greater. advantage by other services.
The commission. therefore,.
that 1t be abolished. It Is that
by so doing a saving Of not less than ST.
0O0,OO q year can be made.
Another report illustrating the second
series recommends that the lighthouse
and life saving services be administered
by a single bureau. instead Of as at pres
ent by two bureaus located in different
departments. These services have much
In common. Geographically. they are
similarly located: enthusiastically, they
have many OF the same problems. It is
estimated that consolidation would result
in a saving Of not less than 100000 an
nually.
Abolition Of Local Offices.
FeIndpS TIE part OI lHc OIBdHiXdIlOn m
which the greatest economy In public ex-
penditure Is possible Is TO be found In
the numerous local offices OF the govern
ment. In some instances the establish
ment and the discontinuance of these To-
cal offices are matters Of administrative
discretion. In other instances they are
established by permanent law In such =
manner that their discontinuance Is be-
yond the power Of the president or that
Of any executive officer.
The responsibility for the maintenance
OF these conditions must naturally be d.
vided between the congress and the exc
cutive. But that the executive has per-
formed his duty when he has called the
attention OF the congress to the matter
must also be admitted. Realizing my re
sponsibility in the premises. l have di-
rected the commission to prepare q re-
port setting forth the positions In the
local services Of the government which
may be discontinued with advantage, the
saving which would result from such &C.