Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1912-04-11
Improve SERVICE
SAVE MUCH MONEY
President Urges Changes in Gov.
ernment Methods.
SENDS MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
Efficiency Would Be Promoted by
Placing Local Postofflce and Gus
toms Affairs in Classified Serv-
lce-Consolidation Of
Auditors.


Washington. April president
Taft today sent to congress his third
message on economy and efficiency
in the various departments of the
government. lie transmits the report
of the commission recommending GER
tain changes TO which he gives his
approval. He says:
II have several times called atten-
ton to the advantages to be derived
from placing in the classified service
the local officers under the depart
ments Of the treasury, OF the post
office, OF justice, OF the interior, and
of commerce and labor. In my mes
sage submitted to the congress on
January II referred 70 the loss oc-
casioned 10 the government because
of the fact that in many cases two
persons are paid for doing work that
could easily be done by one. In the
meantime ! have caused an inquiry to
be made as 10 the amount in money
Of this loss. The results of this in
quiry are that the loss amounts to
at least 100000 annually. For eX-
ample, ii appears that a very substan-
tial economy would result from put
ting experienced and trained officers
in charge of the first and second class
postofiices instead of selecting the
postmasters in accordance with the
present practice. AS the annual OPP
Grating expenses OF the first and sec
ond class Offices aggregate the enor-
nous sum OF more than $4,000 900,
undoubtedly If the postmasters of
these Offices were embraced in the
classified service, and required TO de-
vote all their time TO the public serv-
ice, the annual savings would even
tually represent many millions of dol
lars. The saving in salaries alone,
not taking into account any saving
due 10 increased efficiency of opera
ton, would amount 10 about $500
600
Enlarge Classified Service.
The president points out the large
saving that could be effected by plac-
ing in the classified service pension
agents, internal revenue and customs
officers and heads OF bureaus in the
departmental service. The recon-
mendations Of the commission in this
connection are approved. Continuing,
he says:
I'm the interest OF an efficient and
economical administration of the vast
business Of the government, / urge
the necessity for the inauguration OF
this important reform, and recommend
ha M
made to the laws governing appoint
ments, such amendments to take eff
feet not later than July 1, 1913.
A saving of 100000 year. accord
ing to the president, could be made
by placing the maintenance and oper-
alton OF the lifesaying stations OF
the country in the hands OF the bu-
reau of lighthouses. The enactment
OF legislation TO carry this into eff
feet is urged.
The president recommends that the
vessels and equipment Of the revenue
cutter service, with the exception OF
such vessels as might be useful as
naval auxiliaries, be turned over to
the lighthouse establishment. IL is
pointed out that this would result
in bringing under one general admin
istration all OF the work OF the gov
eminent having to do with the pro-
lection Of life and property at sea.
Greatly Increased efficiency and n de-
cided saving would also be the result.
Treasury Auditors.
Consolidation OF the six auditors OF
the treasury department under one
auditor would increase the efficiency
OF the treasury audit, according to
the president. and would also result
in saving Of 100000 a year. A
change in the law to carry this into
effect Is recommended Legislation to
bring about uniformity in the travel
expenditures OF officers and employees
of the government is recommended.
In conclusion the president says:
Each Of the foregoing recommen-
dations, If acted on, will contribute
largely 10 increase efficiency. Direct
ly and indirectly the changes pro-
posed will result in the\ saving OF
many millions OF dollars OF public
funds.
Again ! urge upon congress the de-
STABILITY of providing whatever
funds can be used effectively t9 carry
forward with all possible vicdr the
work now well begun. The 5000
required for the prosecution ok the
inquiry during the ensuing yearN and
the $4,000 estimated for the pubNica-
tion OF results. are inconsiderabIeNn
comparison with the economies which
can be allied"