The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1912-03-23

nent began work at once to investi-
gate it's own expenditures and to de-
wise ways and means Of curtailing ex-
travagances. The result was that con-
gress received the lowest estimates it
had seen in years. This was followed
by reduction in appropriations to cor
respond. always allowing for the nat
ural growth of the governments &C.
tivities, which represented a net saw
ing to the taxpayers Of the country.
President Taft was not. however,
satisfied that all had been done that
could be done. He realized that the
departments of the government, like
individuals. are naturally prone to be
proud of their own achievements and
by reason of their familiarity with
their own endeavors often insisted
that their work was more important
than the work of the other depart
ments, relatively speaking. In order
to correct that evil he asked congress
to give him 100000 for q commission
Of disinterested experts to investigate
and report on the business of the gov
eminent. with view to further econ
omy and efficiency. Thus came into
official being the commission Of that
name.
This commission, among other duties,
was directed to prepare the receipts
and expenditures of the government
on budget" basis. which is the sys-
tenn followed by practically all the
leading nations Of the world except the
United States. Under this system it IS
possible for the humblest citizen to
analyze the finances of the government
at any time and to lay his finger upon
the responsible political party in the
event Of extravaganza or Of stinginess.
The system under which appropria-
lions for the government of the Unit
ed States have been made has even de-
fed the experts in their endeavors to
unravel the tangled skeins of expendi-
lures, so that 1t Is a fair statement to
say that no citizen Of this country up
to the present time has ever thorough
ly understood where his taxes We're ex-
pended.
The Presidents Position.
At the present time the Democratic
house Of representatives is endeavor
ing to end the usefulness of the econ
omy and efficiency commission by cut
ting Off its appropriations. In a recent
appeal to congress for funds to con-
t1nue the great work 1t has begun,
which all thinking men and women
will approve. President Taft pointed
out that the people of the country as
a whole are interested chiefly in the
following governmental objects: The
national defense, the protection of per-
sons and property, the promotion of
friendly relations and the protection of
American interests abroad, the regula-
ton OF commerce and industry. the
promotion Of agriculture. fisheries. for
estry and mining. the promotion Of
manufacturing, commerce and bank
Ing, the promotion of transportation
and communication, the postal service.
including postal savings banks and
parcels post; the care and utilization Of
the public domain. the promotion of
education. art and science and recrea-
ton; the promotion Of public health
and the care and education of the In
dams and other wards Of the nation.
There are many other public questions,
of course. but these are the vital and
comprehensive ones, and the budget
is proposed for the purpose Of giving
information as to the needs of these
matters. The president, In order that
his policy Of economy and efficiency
may be concluded and become one Of
the greatest achievements of his ad-
ministration-that of placing the gov
eminent on business basis-wants
congress to appropriate $4,000 more
for the support of the commission now
doing that work.
The economy and efficiency commits
sion has already saved to the taxpay-
ers Of the country more than $3.O00,0 900
annually by its suggestions and by the
time It has completed Its work 1t Is be-
lieved ten times this sum can be saved
annually to the taxpayers. In the mat
ter of railroad fare for government Off
Gals alone 1t has found that $4,000. 900
was expended in u single year at the
highest prevailing railroad rates. At
least a fourth Of this can be saved by
the application Of business methods
such as President. Taft has applied and
has insisted shall be applied to all the
departments Of the government