The Van Buren press., 1912-01-20

iteness Of specifications is to impose con-
tract conditions which make II extra ha-
zardous for persons TO enter into con-
tractual relations. This not only depriyes
the government OF the advantage OF
broad competition. but causes II TO pay
an added margin In price to vendors who
must carry the risk
Excessive Cost Of Travel.
One OF the first steps taken toward
constructive work was the reclassinca-
ton OF the expenditures for the year 1910
by objects The foundation was thus
made for the investigation OF government
trading practices, While II was recog-
nized that this large field could not be
covered within year except at enormous
cost, the subjects OF Transportation OF
persons" and subsistence while in travel
statGs" were taken as concrete examples.
TIE Snnuai COS, OF travel to the govern
ment was found to be about sl2 0o0, 900. II
was also found that the government EN-
ployees were travelling in practically ev.
cry way that was open to the pubic: q
was further found that although the gov
ernment was the largest user OF trans
portation. II was buying railroad tickets
on a less favorable basis than would be
possible II the subject OF travelling ex-
pendltures were systematically handled
from the point OF view OF the government
as a whole The form OF ticket most Oft
en- used between such points as New
York, Philadelphia and Washington was
the single-trip, hrst-class ticket. In two
departments definite tests have been
made In the use OF mileage boks and in
each practically the same result has been
reported, viz. an average saving OF a
little over one-half OF one cent per mile.
Better Methods for Purchasing.
Through a long period OF years and By
numerous laws and orders there has
grown up a procedure governing public
advertising and contracting that is mora
burdensome and expensive In some cases
than Is necessary, The procedure is not
in the various departments; II Is
not uniform in many cases for the dif-
feTent services In the same department
To make uniform the requirements so far
as practicable will be In the interest Of
economy and efficiency and bring about
that simplicity that will secure the larg-
est opportunity for contractors to bid for
government work, and will secure for the
government the most favorable prices OBJ
tained by any purchaser.
The Budget.
The United States is the only great na-
ton whose government Ia operated with
out a budget, This fact seems to be more
striking when It is considered that bud
gets and budget procedures are the out
growth OF democratic doctrines and have
had an important part In the development
OF modern constitutional rights, The
A m Waalth haa gnfRrpd
much from responsibility on the part OF
Its governing agencies. The constitutions
al purpose OF a budget is to make gov
ernment responsive to public opinion and
responsible for It's acts.
The Budget as an Annual Program.
A budget should be the means for get
ting before the legislative branch, before
the press, and before the people definite
annual program Of business to be flnan-
ced; It should be in the nature OF pros
peCtus both OF revenues and expendi-
lures It should comprehend every rela-
ton OF the government to the people,
whether with reference 10 the raising Of
revenues or the rendering Of service
In many foreign countries the annual
budget program Is discussed with special
reference to the revenue to be raised, tho
thought being that the raising Of revenue
bears more direct relation to welfare than
does government expenditure Around
questions OF source OF revenue political
parties have been organized, and on such
questions voters in the United States
have taken sides since the first revenue
law was proposed,
Publie-WeIfare Questions.
The princIpa. government objects in
which the people OF the United States
are interested include!
The national defense; the protection OF
persons and property; the promotion OF
friendly relations and the protection OF
American interests abroad; the regulation
of commerce and Industry; the promotion
Of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and min
ing; the promotion OF manufacturing,
commerce, and banking, the promotion OF
transportation and communication; the
postal service including postal savings
and parcels post; the care for and utili-
zation OF the public domain; the promo
ton OF education, art, science and recre-
alton; the promotion OF the public health;
the care and education OF the Indians
and other wards OF the nation.
These are publc-welfare questions In
which | assume every citizen has vital
interest. believe that every member OF
as an official representative OF
the people each editor, as n non-ofhcial
Of public opinion, each
citizen, as a beneficiary OF the trust I'm.
posed on officers Of the government
should be able readily to ascertain how
much has been spent for each OF these
purposes; how much has been appropri-
ated for the current year; how much tho
is asking for each OF these
purposes for the next fiscal year,
Furthermore each person Interested
should have laid before him clear, well.
dlgested statement showing In detail
whether moneys appropriated have been
economically spent and whether each d.
vision or office has been efficiently run
This IL the Information which should bt
available each year IN tho form OF
budget and IN detail accounts and reports
supporting the budget
Continuance Of the Commission.
I ask tho continuance OF this commits.
sion on economy and efficiency because
OF the excellent beginning which has been
made toward the reorganization OF tho
machinery OF this government on busi'
ness principles ! ask II because Its work
is entirely nonspaftsan In character ana
ought TO apply 10 every citizen VINO
wishes TO give effectiveness TO popular
In which we feel just pride,
The work further commsnds Itself foi
the reason that the cost OF organization
and work has been carefully considered
at every point Three months were taken
In consideration OF plans before the In
aulry was begun, ak months were then
ppcnt IN preliminary Investigations before
the commission was organlyedi ocfore
March g. 1911. when I asked for n con.
tInuatlon Of tho original appropriation
for the current year, only $1,000 had been
spent
The expenditure for the inquiry durins
the present hscal year is at the rate Of
$4,000 The mass OF Information which
must be collected, dlscsted md summaf'
lied pertaining TO each subject Of inquiry
Ia enormous From the results OBJ
talned Il IL evident that every dollar
which IL spent In the prosecution OF the
a. -