The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-18
Sends Message on Economy and Efficiency in Gov
 erHment Service
REIMBURSEMENT OF
 SALARIES NEEDED
Asks Continuance of the Economy and Efficiency Commission, But Makes No Explanations.
 Gives Ways to Economize

washington, January T-1low the peo- ple of the United States may have saVeo for them millions of dollars annually ih the operation of their governmental ma chinery was outlined by President Tatt today in a message to Congress on "econ- omv and efficiency in the government ser vice.
 Increase Merit System
 ..yvhat the government does with nearly sl,ooo, ,ooo,ooo each year. said the Presi- dent, 'is as of much concern to the av- craze citizen as is the manner of optain- ing this amount of money for the public use"
 Probably the most radical proposal ad- vanced by the President in todays mes sage was that all administrative oflcers Of the government in the departments at Washington and in the field be put under the civil service: be removed from the in- flnence of politics and that their terms of office be not limited as at present to four years. Such officers should not be appointed by the President with the neces- sity of Senate confirmation, he said, but upon merit. "The extension of the merit system to these officers and needed readiustment of salaries" said he, will have important effects in securing greater economy and efficiency. The view that these various offices are to be filled as a result of political consideration has for ito consequence the necessity that the President and members of Congress de- vote to matters of patronage time which they should devote. to questions of policy and administration"
 The President did not attempt to explain in detail the work of the economy and efficiency communication created by act of Congress a year and a half ago. He slSetched outlines of improvements that he said could be made in government ser vice, declared that they would effect saving of many millions of dollars and asked that Congress continue the com mission by granting an appropriation Of $2oo.ooo with s50,0oO for printing it's reports. From time to time he added, reports of 1he commission proposing particular re- forms would be sent to Congress.
 Economy Commission
 T ask, said the President, the con tinuance of this commission on economy and efficiency because of the excellent beginning which has been made toward the reorganization of the machinery of this government on business principles. ask it because it's work Is entirely non partisan in character and ought to apply to every citizen who wishes to give effec- tiveness to popular government in which we feel a just pride l sincerely hope that Congress will not, in it's anxiety to reduce expenditures, economize by cutting off an appropriation which is likely to of fer greater opportunity for real economy in the future than any other estimated for
 To date, the President said, the com mission has cost the people about $780, 000 Without having put in effect more than a few reforms 1t has suggested changes that will save $2000,000 year. These" said the President, represent only a few of the many services which should be subjected to little painstaking inquiry If this is done, it is beyond ques- ton that many millions of savings may be realized" The value of such inves- tigation in increased interest, which of- ficers of the government will take in their own departments;. their own work and that of their subordnates, he said, could hardly be estimated.
 Initial Work We'll Done
 "The initial work" said President Taft, ''has been well done The inquiry with its constructive measures is well under way. The work should now be presented with vigor and receive the financial sup port necessary to make it effective during the next fiscal year. Every economy which has been or will be effected through changes in organization or method will inure to the benefit of the government and of the people in increasing measure through tho years which follow am convinced that results which are really worth while cannot be secured, or at lea st can be secured only in small part throuph the prosecution at irregular intervals or special inquiries bearing on particular services or features of administration. The benefits thus obtained must be but temporary. The problem of good admin istration IS rot one that can be solved at one time 1t is a continuously present one"
 In many ways. the President informed Congress, a decrease in the cost of gov ernment might be assured There is need he said of reorganization of the government departments, consolidation and weeding out of bureaus that over lap in their work; scores of local offices throughout the country should be abolish- ed and hundreds of political appointees who do hut little work should be taken off the pay roll and there should be an improvement in the personnel of govern ment employees through the introduction of the civil service in practically every field: business methods should be em- ployed by Uncle Sam just as big corpor- ations use them, modern system of ac- counting and reporting should be adopted, and last of all the economy commission should be continued in It's work.
 Treasury Department
 The treasury department, Mir. Taft showed, looked after the nations finances and the life saving service. The commis- sion. he said, had recommended the abo- lition of the Revenue Cutter Service. which would mean q saving of sl,oO0.000 a year.
 The greatest economy and efficiency and the benefits which may accrue from the Presidents devoting his time to other york which is most worth while" said the President, may be assured n., r- treating all the distinctly administrative officers in the department at Wasnlngt.n and i.l the field in the same way as in- ferior officers have been treated The time has come when all these officers E should be placed in the classified service. II The time has also come when those pro- IN visions of law which give to these officers |Na fixed eerm of years should be repealed. tso long f,S fixed term of years is pro- tsided by law the question of reappoint