The Washington herald., 1912-01-18

lpartments at washington ana OF must ol
the local officers under the departments
qualifications Of capacity similar to those
now required OF certain heads OF bureaus
and OF local officers. The extension Of
the merit system to these officers and
needed readjustment Of salaries win have
important effects in securing greater
economy and efficiency.
In the first place, the possession by the
lincumbents OF these positions OF the
requisite qualifications must in itself pro-
mote efficiency.
in the second place. the removal OF To-
cal officers from the realm OF political
patronage in many cases would reduce
the pay roll of the field services. At the
present time the incumbents OF many OF
these positions leave the actual perform
! ance OF many of their duties to deputies
and assistants. The government often
pays two persons for doing work that
could easily be done by one What Is the
loss to the government cannot be stated,
but that It is very large cannot be de-
MED, when II Is remembered how numer-
Customs, Internal Revenue Public
Lands. and other field services Of the
government.
In the third place. so long as local
officers are within the sphere Of political
Patronage, II is difficult TO consider the
question OF the establishment or discon-
tinuance of local Offices apart from the
effect upon local political situations.
For the handling of incoming mail the
averages Of cost by departments vary
from S5.S to $40 per 1000 For the
handling OF outgoing mail the averages
by departments vary from S94 to S6e. 50
per 1,oOo. This does not include the cost
Of preparation, but IS confined merely to
the physical side of the work The varIa-
he Ind IN l.
times greater than that shown for aver
ages by departments.
The use of equipment Is a matter
which also has been Investigated. Up to
the present time this Investigation has
been In the main confined TO the subject
of electric lighting. The government pays
over S600O00 per year for electric current
II has made large capital OUTLAWS for
wiring and fixtures. With the increasing
demands in many buildings, the present
equipment Is taxed 10 its limit and IL
the present methods are continued much
OF this wiring must be done over In
many places employees are working at a
great physical disadvantage, due to in
adequate and improper lighting, and
thereby with reduced efficiency. In every
place where the inquiry has been con-
Quoted it appears that there is large
waste; that without the cost OF rewriting. |
simply by giving proper attention to To- |
cation Of lights and the use OF proper
lamps and renectors, the light efficiency |
at points where needed may be much |
increased and the cost Of current re-
duced from 30 to so per cent other
inquiries into the use which is being /
made OF properties and equipment are |
which promise even larger /
results.
Expenditure decentralization. ]
nn nF H.
constructive work was the reclassifica-
tion Of the expenditures for the year
1910 by objects. The foundation was thus
made for the investigation OF govern
ment trading practices. While Il was rec
ognized that this large field could not
be covered within a year except at enor-
nous cost. the subjects of ''Transporta-
tion OF persons" and Subsistence whne
in travel status were taken as con-
crete examples. The annual cost OF
travel to the government was found 10
De ABOUT 3l2,OOO.o00. 1t was also found
that the government employees were
in practically every way thar
was open TO the public; II was further
found that although the government was
the largest user of transportation. IL was
buying railroad tickets on a less favor
able basis than would be possible II tho
subject Of travelling expenditures were
handled from the point OF I
view of the government as a whole.
The form Of ticket most often used be-
.ween such points as New YORK, Phila- !
ielphia. and Washington was the single I
rip. first-class ticket. In two depart
nents definite tests have been made in :
he use OF mileage books and in each :
practically the same result has been re- !
'orted. viz, an average saving OF a little
'ver one-half OF cent per mile. What I
he possible saving TO the government by I
more systematic handling OF transpor- q
alton may be cannot be estimated at c
his time Upon inquiry II was found
hat an analysis OF travel vouchers for z
he year would cost not less than $780, s
90. The investigation. therefore, was ?
onfined TO the analysis of travel vouch- n
rs which came to departments during a
he month of April A report OF the re- r
ult Of this inquiry has been made, and
t an early date will be sent TO Con- I
ress with recommendations.
One Of the results or by-products or
his inquiry into travel expenses was the
that the jurat or aftida-
II which is now required by order or the
be discontinued. The Jurat
oes not add to the value of the return. in
olives persons travelling in much annoy
nee and trouble in going before an or
Ger competent TO administer CdthS,
'hile every disciplinary result is OBJ
aimed through certincation under the
NV prescribing a penalty for the faIsin-
alton of accounts. A dfscontinuance OF
be jurat in all cases would result in
ircct saving of about $4,000 per annum.
should Have Budget.
The United States is the only great ma a
on whose government is operated with Ia
ut a budget This fact seems to be more "
riking when It is considered that bud is
Is and budget procedures are the out N
-owth OF democratic doctrines and have
ad an important part in the develop di
ent of modern constitutional rights. n
he American Commonwealth has suffer- n
much from irresponsibility on the part .,
its governing agencies. The constitu- :.
onsl purpose OF a budget Is TO make ~
,vernment responsive TO public opinion VI
Id responsible for its acts. ef
A budget should be the means for get
ng before the legislative branch, before tE
70 press and before the people a definite W