The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-01-17
President Taft Sends a Plea
to Congress for Appro-
priation to Further His Ef-
ficiency Plans.
OUTLINE is GIVEN
OF WORK OF BOARD
President Urges Adoption of
Annual Budget to Show
How the Money Is Expend-
ed by Uncle Sam.
(Eational News Assoeiation)

(National News Assoeiation)
WASHINGTON. Jan. 17.-ln \ spe-
cial message to congress today, Presi.
dent Taft makes an earnest plea for
an appropriation of $a5o,ooo in order
that the special commission on Eff
cheney and Economy. which is investi-
eating the various departments Of the
government. may continue its work for
the ensuing years. This was one OF
the committees that was slated to pass
out of existence, As u result of tho
Democratic program of economy.
Commission's Work.
To support his plea, the President
submits a brief outline of the work
that has been accomplished since July.
1910. when the commission began its
work. and states that over $2.O0O.0OO
per year has already been saved as a
result of the investigation, aud tho
foundation laid for the annual saving
of many more millions.
While the commissions report will
not be completed for some time, the
President. in mentioning some of tho
things accomplished up to date. states
that it will recommend the abolish.
ment of the Revenue Cutter service,
which costs the government over two
and a half million dollars each year.
In the opinion of the commission it's
varied activities can be performed with
N@~ k>xr<
services. The commission, therefore,
recommends that It be abolished. 1t
is estimated that by SO doing. saving
of not less than $1,000, 900 year can
be made.
In order that the government may
be held responsible for the money that
it spends, the President urges the
adoption of an equal budget similar
to that which exists In European
whether the moneys appropriated have
been economically spend and whether
every division or office has been ef-
ficiently run. In this connection the
President takes occasion to state that
the United States is the only great
nation whose government Is operated
without budget.
The extension of civil service - as
to include local offices under the de-
partments OF the Treasury. the Inter-
ion, the Post Office and Commerce
and Labor, which was recommended
by the president in q recent message IL
treated at considerable length. Ac-
cording to the president. the removal
of these offices from politics would re-
suit not only In the saving OF vast
amount of money. but also In increased
efficiency in every department.
Politics An obstacle.
80 long as local officers are with
| in the sphere of political patronage"
| consider the establishment or discon-
tinuance of local offices, apart from
the effect upon local political situa.
tions. 1t also necessitates the Presi-
| dent and members Of congress devot-
| ing to matters Of patronage time which
| they should devote to questions OF
policy and administration" That there
are great many Of these positions for
which there is absolutely NO need, II
the opinion of the President, and he
has accordingly ordered the commits
| sion to make list Of the local offices
to be abolished. This list he Will pre-.
| sent to congress. with = request for
quick action.
The President states that the quese
ton OF pensioning the superannuated
government employees IL also being IN.
yestigated by the commission and. ~