Milford chronicle., 1912-04-26
Treasury Department Example Of
Economical Administration.
EVEN DEMOCRATS APPROVE.
Under Taft Reorganization Accom-
plished, Frauds Stopped and Law
Vioators Punished-Divorced From
Wall Street.

/ Democratic appropriation committee OF
the house of representatives for the re-
suits achieved in bringing about econ
Omy and efficiency in that department.
The general basis of this unusual
100000 a year less to run this big bust
ness machine of the government than
it did three years ago when President
Taft began his administration and ini-
tiated his campaign for governmental
economy by placing an experienced
business man. Secretary MacVeagh, at
the head of the treasury department.
The Economy Effected.
The amount now saved each year is
10 per cent reduction in the previous
cost. 1t tells but half the story of the
actual economy effected: for there has
been a 10 per cent increase in the busi-
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. 1t 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 Are 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 S5.OOOOOO has been collect
ed in fines against dishonest importers
and attempted smugglers. Jail sen
tences 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 a high degree of efficiency
It's collections last year were the high
est in its histOry-S322, 900, OOO-which
was collected at the expense of 1 6S-1OO |
cents for each dollar substantial de
crease in cost. Internal revenue col !
lectOrs are now giving the major pOr
tiOn 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
was more to be desired than
he 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-
lily, while similar work in the mints
las resulted in cutting down the eX
lenses annually to the extent of S4S3,-
100. BY using the mails instead of the
express a saving of 100000 a year is
Effected in sending wornout notes to
he treasury for redemption. Nearly
10000 year is being saved through
methods in handling the pa
,er on which money and postage and
Internal revenue stamps is printed. y
imilar amount is being saved through
loser scrutiny and economy in print
ng the stationery for the department
he revenue cutter service adds TO the
st a saving of 100000 year with in
reased activities, so also does the pub
c health service. There are many
lore details of savings, all telling the
ame story.
Genuine Reforms Made.
And this story is the strongest kind
f a denial of the charge that Presi-
ent Taft has used the government
mployee to further his own political
dvantage. There have been 1901 uG
places abolished under the !
department in the last three
ears. Five hundred and fOrty-twO of
lese have been in the department
ervice in Washington. None of those
/ Washington whose places were abol-
he'd have been separated from the
.rvice by that fact. Secretary Mac
eagh has rigidly adhered to the poi
y Of saving the vacancies which o.
lrred in the department by resigna-
on and death, and these places have
cen filled by those who would other
Use have been dropped. ?
The facts above set forth are con
ncing proof that under the admins
alton Of President Taft genuine re-
rms in administration have been ac-
,mplished in bringing the government
lsiness to the most practical and eco