Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-17

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has made large capital OUTLAWS for wiring
and fixtures. With the increasing de-
mands in many buildings the present
equipment is taxed to it's limit, and II the
present methods are continued much OF
this wiring must be done over; in many
places employees are working at great
physical disadvantage. due to inadequate
and improper lighting, and thereby with
reduced efficiency. In every place where
the inquiry has been conducted it appears
that there is large waste; that without
the cost of rewriting, simply by giving
proper attention to location of lights and
the use Of proper lamps and rehectors.
the light efficiency at points where needed
may be much increased and the cost of
current reduced from 80 to 60 per cent.
Other inquiries into the use which is be-
ing made Of properties and equipment are
contemplated which promise even larger
results
Unnecessary Cost Of Insurance.
1t is the policy Of the government not
to insure public property against fire
losses. Question has been raised whether
the government might not apply the same
principle to other forms of risk, including
insurance on the fidelity of officials and
employees. a report is now in prepara-
ton on the subject which will show OPP
portunities for large savings. I believe
that the present expense for insuring the
faithful execution of contracts, which,.
though paid by the contractor, is more
than covered in the added price to the
government. can be largely reduced with
out taking away any element of security.
Lack of Specifications.
The Importance of establishing and
maintaining standard specifications is
found not only in the possibility Of very
materially reducing the direct cost Of
government trading, but also In insuring
to the service materials, supplies and
equipment which are better adapted to
its purposes. One of the results of in
definiteness OF specifications is to i'm
pose contract conditions which make it
extra hazardous for persons to enter into
contracted relations. This not only
tage of broad competition. but causes IL
to pay an added margin in price to
vendors who must carry the risk. The
specifications which may have been work.
ed out in one department usually differ
from specifications for the same article
to be used in another department. Much
progress has been made toward improving
this condition through the schedules of
the general supply committee, but there
are many classes of supplies not on
these lists which may be standardized.
and the articles which are there listed
may be specified with exactness.
In connection with standard specifica-
lions for purchasing, the subject of y
consideration. No one form or small
number of forms will be applicable to all
the agreements into which the govern
ment enters. There can be standard con-
ditiOnS and provisions for such contracts,
however, and the work in this connection
Is being prosecuted in an effort to SIM
plify the forms of contracts and to do
away with the great diversity of re-
irritate those who wish to enter into a
contract with the government.
Excessive Cost Of Travel.
One of the first steps taken toward
constructive work was the reclassificat ton
Of the expenditures for the year 1910 by
objects. The foundation was thus made
for the investigation of government trad
ing practices. While 1t was recognized
that this large fed could not be covered
within year except at enormous cost.
the subjects OF Transportation Of per-
sons" and Subsistence while in travel
status were taken as concrete exam
pies. The annual cost Of travel to the
government was found to be about $12,-
100000. 1t was also found that the gov
eminent employees were travelling in prac-
tically every way that was open to the
public: it was further found that al
though the government was the largest
user of transportation. it was buying
railroad tickets on a less favorable basis
than would be possible If the subject of
travelling expenditures were systematf
cally handled from the point Of view of
the government as whole. The form
Of ticket most often used between such
points as New York, Philadelphia and
Washington was the single-trip. first
class ticket. In two departments definite
tests have been made in the use Of mile
age books and in each practically the
same result has been reported. viz. an
average saving Of a little over. one-half
of l cent per mile. What the possible
saving to the government by a more sys
tematic handling Of transportation may
be cannot be estimated at this time.
Upon inquiry 1t was found that an an
alysis Of travel vouchers for the year
would cost not less than $4,000. The
the analysis Of travel vouchers which
came to departments during the month
of April. A report OF the result Of this
inquiry has been made and at an early
date will! be sent to the Congress with
recommendations.
One of the results or by-products Of this
inquiry into travel expenses was the rec
ommendation that the jurat or affidavit
which Is now d egptE oy or1er OF the
does not add to the value of the return,
involves persons travelling in much an
noyance and trouble In going before an
officer competent to administer oaths..
while every disciplinary result Is obtain
ed through certification under the law
prescribing a penalty for the classification
Of accounts. discontinuance OF the
iurat in all cases would result In q di-
rect saving Of about 10000 per annum
Other Expenditures to Be Investi-
gated.
Before economy in government trading
can be edaquately covered, such subjects
as the following must be systematically
inquired into, viz: Subsistence and sup
port OF persons; subsistence and care for
animals and the storage and care of We
hicles; telephone telegraph and COM
mercial messenger service: printing. en-
gsa.ing,. nthographing and binding: adj |
yertising and the pIohcation o. notices;