Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-05

the service greatly increased by the
adoption of such a plan.
Internal Revenue and Customs Of
fees.
Large expenditures are made for
salaries of political appointees in the
internal-revenue and customs ser
vices. IN both services direct saw
ing in salaries. and 'an indirect econ
emS through increased efficiency.
would follow a transfer of such Office;
to the classified service
Other Local Offices.
In the other field services the saving
which would result from the classical
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 alere is no
doubt that substantial savings would
follow. 1t is not to be doubted
that where no saving would re-
suit the classification of the local Of
hcers would increase the efficiency of
the service 1t would be desirable
also to place alt marshals. deputy
marshals, and assistant attorneys in
the classified service, although but lit
tie direct economy would result.
Supervising inspectors in the Steam
boat Inspection Service and the menu
bors 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 Ia me by the COM
mission. which covers fully the sub
jeet of appointments by the President
by and with the advice and consent OF
the Senate, and recommends that va
rious local officers. such as posmasters.
collectors of internal revenue, etc, and
heads Of bureaus in the departmental
service, be included in the classified
service. is transmitted herewith Cap
pendix No. y. Tie report and rec
concentrations are approved by me
Legislation Needed to Establish the
Merit System.
In the interest Of an efficient and
economical administration of the vast
business of the Government, l urge the
necessity for the inauguration of this
''f'f3i IL H. anu
the necessary amendments be made to
the laws governing appointments.
such amendments To take effect not
later than July l. 1913. so that there
may be secured to the people the
benefits to he derived from conduct
OF their affairs by officers selected on
a merit basis and devotng their time
and talents solely to the duties, of
their offices.
Consolidation of Lighthouse and Life
Saving Services.
The commissions report (Appendix
No p recommends that the Life Saw
ing Service OF the Department of the
Treasury be discontinued as a sepa
rate organization and that the main
tenance and operation of the life saw
ing sta tons OF the country be made
one OF the duties of the Bureau of
Lighthouses of the Department of
Commerce and Labor. ! concur in this
recommendation and urge that the nee
essafy legislation for carrying Il into
effect be enacted.
Both of these services are organized
and maintained for the same general
property endangered along the coast
ard other navigable waters. Both
maintain stations along the coast
which are located for the most part in
close proximity, Both have substan-
TALLY the same business problems %
meet in locating, constructing. and
maintaining these stations; in recruit
ing the personnel; in manufacturing OF
purchasing equipment. in purchasing
housing in depots, and distributing
supplies; in operating field-inspection
service; in maintaining telephone and
ether means OF communication; in dis
tufsing funds; in keeping proper books
Of accounts; and in rendering reports
showing financial and other transac-
TONS The maintenance of two sepa-
rate services. as at present, means q
duplication of organization in respect
to all of these operations. The recon-
nendation of the commission does not
contemplate any essential change in
the work of the ife-saving stations, il
is for the transfer of the business man.
agement of these institutions TO the
Bureau of Lighthouses That, bureau
being fully organized for the admins
tratian OF stations of this character viii
be able to direct and manage these sta
lions with comparatively little addition
to it's present force and equipment
The commission estimates that in adj
dition 10 the advantage that vii
be obtained through having these two
services operated by the same organi'
zation a direct economy will be secur-
&C of at least 100000 annually. and
that the saving will greatly exceed this
sum atter,the first year,
Revenue Cutter Service.
The report of the commission on til,
Revenue Cutter Service tAppendix No
p represents detailed investigation 81
the history organization, and activi'
ties of this branch of the Government
service and its relations to other ser
vices The conclusion is reached tina
all Of the duties now being perforlnes
by this service can be performed witt
equal efficiency by other services AM
that q great economy will result b,
having these duties so performed, Tn
commission accordingly recommend
that the service be abolished as q dis