Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1912-01-19
President Submits an Economy
and Efficiency Message.
RESULTS OF INQUIRY TOLD
Special Commission Found Extrava-
giant and Anticipated Methods In
Government Work and Many
Unnecessary Offices.

ment service The message in part is as
follows:
40 the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
submit for the information of the con-
gross 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
.ntent 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 proof OF economy, since It is
often accompanied by a decrease in eff
cheney. The needs of the nation may de-
mand large Increase of expenditure, yet
do keep see total appropriation within
the expected reYcneu is necessary to the
maintenance OF public credit.
Upon the president must rest a large
share of the responsibility for the de-
nands made upon the treasury for the
current administration OF the executive
branch of the government. Upon the
congress must rest responsibility for
those grants OF public funds which are
made for other purposes.
Reason for the Inquiry.
Recognizing my share OF responsibility
for efficient and economical administra-
tion, / have endeayored 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
4 requested grant from congress to
make my efforts more effective.
An appropriation of 100000 was made
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
action alone. 1 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 ac-
tivities are almost as varied as those of
the entire business world. The opera
tons of the government affect the inter-
est of every person living within the jur-
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
]. 600, 100000 annually. Including the per-
sonnet of the military and naval estab-
lishments, more than 100000 persons are
required to do the work imposed by law
upon the executive branch of the govern
mcnt.
Plan of the Work.
In accordance with my instructions, the
on economy and efficiency.
which I organized to aid me in the in
quiry has directed It's efforts primarily
60 the formulation of concrete recommen-
dations looking to the betterment of the
fundamental conditions under which gov
ornamental 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 have
permitted.
In approaching its task II 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
ments. This is a matter of fundamental
Importance. 1t is only after a 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
tthe 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. recommends
that IL be abolished 1t is estimated that
by so doing a saving of not less than 81
100000 a year can be made.
Another report illustrating the second
series recommends that the lighthouse
aud life saving services be administered
by single bureau, instead of as at pres
ent by two bureaus located in different
departments. These services have much
IN commoq aphically. they are
similarly Ecated; Enthusiastically. they
have many Of the same problems. it is
estimated that consolidation would result
I'm a saving OF not less than 100000 an
nually.
Abolition Of Local OFFICES.
Perhaps the part of the organization In
which the greatest economy in public ex-
lpenditure is possible Is 10 be found in
the numerous local offices OF the govern
,ment. In some instances the establish
.ment and the discontinuauce OF these To-
cal offices are matters OF administrative
discretion In other instances they are
established by permanent law IL such
manner that their diseontinuance is be-
You'd the power OF the president or that
;of any executive officer.
The responsibility for the maintenance
of these conditions must naturally ha d.
vided between the congress and tie 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, 1 have d.
rected the commission TO prepare a re-
port setting forth the positions In the
local services OF the government which
may be discontinued with advantage. the