Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-01-17
uses Economy and Efficiency in Government Service

make possible the exercise of intelli-
gent judgment regarding the discretion
displayed in making expenditure and
concerning the value of the results OBJ
tanned when contrasted with the sacri-
fees required.
/ am convinced that results which
are really worth while cannot be Sc
cured, or at least can be secured only
in small part. through the prosecution
at irregular intervals Of special in
quiries bearing on particular services
or features OF administration. The
benefits thus obtained must be but
temporary. The problem OF good ad-
ministratlon is not one that can be
solved at one time. 1t is a continuous
ly present one.
Plan Of the Work.
In accordance with my instructions
the commission on economy and eth
cheney, which ] organized to aid me in
the inquiry. has directed its efforts
primarily to the formulation of con-
crete recommendations looking to the
/ betterment of the fundamental condi-
tons under which governmental opera
/ lions must be carried on. With a basis
/ thus laid it has proceeded to the prose-
cution Of detailed studies of individual
. services and classes Of work and Of
particular practices and methods, push
ing these studies as far and covering
as many points and services as the re-
sources and time at its disposal have
permitted
In approaching its task it has divid-
ed the work into five fields Of inquiry
having TO do respectively with Organi-
cation, personnel, business methods, ac-
counting and reporting and the budget.
Organization.
have stated that the congress. the
president and the administrative Of
ficers are attempting to discharge the
duties with which they are intrusted
without full information as to the
agencies through which the work of
the government is being performed.
To provide more complete information
on this point the commission has sub
mitted to me i report on the organi-
cation Of the government as it existed
July J, 1911. This report which is
transmitted herewith. shows in great
detail. by means of outlines. not only
the departments, commissions. bureaus
ind offices through which the govern
ment performs its varied activities,
but also the sections. shops. field sta,
tons. etc, constituting the subordinate
divisions through which the work is
actually done. 1t shows for the serv'
ices at Washington each such final
unit as a laboratory. library. shop and
administrative subdivision and for the
services outside Of Washington each
station and point ut which any actiy.
fly Of the government is carried on.
Specific Economies Demonstrated.
with this outline as a basis the com
mission has entered upon the prepare
ton OF three series Of reports.
! The first series deals with the man
ner in which the services Of the gov
eminent should be grouped in depart
ments.
The second ard third series Of re
ports deal. respectively. with the or
ganization and activities Of particular
services and the form Of Organizatior
for the performance Of particular bust
ness operations.
one of the reports Of the second Sc
ries is upon the revenue cutter service
which costs the government owe
S2.JOO.OOO each year. In the opinion o.
the commission its varied activities
can be performed with equal or great
er advantage by other services. Th'
commission therefore recommends tina
it be abolished. II IS estimated tina
by so doing saving of not less thar
S1.OOO,OOO a year can be made.
Another report illustrating the sec
ond series recommends that the light
house and life saving services be ad
ministered by a single bureau instea,
Of. as at present. by two bureaus locat
ed in different departments. Thes
! services have much in common. Geo
graphically they are similarly located
Enthusiastically they have many o
the same problems. 1t is estimates
that consolidation would result in
saving of not less than 100000 al
nually.
In a third report the commission ha
recommended the abolition of the rt
turns office Of the department OF tn
interior. This action, in its opinion
will cause no loss in service to tn
public and will result in a direct say
ing Of not less than $4,000 a year.
addition 10 a large indirect econom
: in the reduction Of work TO be pei
formed in the several offices.
In another report the commission ha
recommended the consolidation OF tn
six auditing offices Of the treasury an
,, the inclusion in the auditing system G
the seven naval officers who now aud
customs accounts at the principal port!
The changes recommended Will improv
in many ways the auditing Of publ
p accounts and viii result IN an immed
ate saving Of at least S135. 900 annual!