Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-04-22

The Economy Effected.
The amount now saved each year Is
q 10 per cent reduction in the previous
cost. It tells but half the story Of the
actual economy effected: for there has
been a 10 per cent increase In the bust.
ness Of the department during this
time, making total gain in the inter.
est Of the taxpayer Of 20 per cent
The eagerness that now exists to
make political capital out Of criticism
makes the fact eminently striking that
through this period Of investigation and
inquiry the treasury department has
been found a fruitless field Of opera
ton. It has not even been mentioned
in connection with the alleged money
trust" for the reason that the treasury
department is now. for the first time
wholly independent Of the big bank
ers Of the country in Its operations.
That the department should always be
above the slightest ground for moral
criticism Is Of course one Of the funda-
mentals of its administration.
Frauds Arc Punished.
The vigor with which the administra-
tion has gone after those who have
attempted frauds on the customs rev.
enue is illustrated by the fact that
more than 100000 has been collect
ed in fines against dishonest importers
and attempted smugglers. jail SEN
fences in numerous instances have been
added to the fines. The result has been
the creation of a wholesome respect for
the law on the part Of importers and
Americans who travel in foreign lands.
The entire machinery for the collection
Of customs has been overhauled. with
the result that valuations are made
more accurately, and many channels
for frauds have been stopped. One Of
the special aids in this connection has
been the special agents service, which
the secretary has taken personally In
hand.
The other collection agency. the in
ternal revenue service, has been
brought to q high degree Of efficiency.
Its collections last year were the high
eat in its history-$322, 900. 000-which
was collected at the expense of C8-1O0
cents for each dollar. substantial de-
crease in cost. Internal revenue COL
lectors are now giving the major por-
ton Of their time to their official du-
ties, an innovation brought about for
the first time through the insistence Of
the president that efficiency Of admin
tstration was more to be desired than
the developing Of political machines.
Where Savings Resulted.
Savings in the method Of printing the
paper money Of the country have been
made to the extent Of 100000 annu-
ally, while similar work in the minis
has resulted in cutting down the ex-
penses annually to the extent Of $685.
600. By using the mails instead of the
express a saving Of 100000 a year Is
effected in sending wornout notes to
the treasury for redemption. Nearly
$4,000 a year is being saved through
improved methods in handling the pa
per on which money and postage and
internal revenue stamps is printed. A
similar amount is being saved through
closer scrutiny and economy in print
ing the stationery for the department.
The revenue cutter service adds to the
list saving Of 500; 900 a year with in
creased activities, so also does the pub
lie health service. There are many
more details of savings, all telling the
same story.
Genuine Reforms Made.
And this story is the strongest kind
Of 4 denial Of the charge that Presi-
dent Taft has used the government
employee to further his own political
advantage. There have been 1901 un-
necessary places abolished under the
treasury department in the last three
years. Five hundred and forty-two Of
these have been in the department
service in Washington. None Of those
in Washington whose places were abol-
ished have been separated from the
service by that fact. Secretary Mac
Veagh has rigidly adhered to the pol
icy Of saving the vacancies which &C.
Cured in the department by resigna.
ton and death. and these places have
been filed by those who would other
wise have been dropped.
The facts above set forth are con-
vincing proof that under the admins
tration Of President Taft genuine re-
forms In administration have been &C.
complished in bringing the government
business to the most practical and eco
nomical basis In the interest Of The
whole people.