Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-01-18

ministration Is not one that can 10
solved at one time. It Is a continuous
~ present one.
Plan Of the Won.
In accordance with my instructions
the commission on economy ana 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.
lions under which governmental opera
lions must be carried on. With 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 ms the re-
sources and time at its disposal have
permitted.
In approaching its task 1t has divid-
ed the work into Ave 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
fcers are attempting to discharge the
duties with which they are intrusted
without full information us 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 Il report on the organi-
cation Of the government as it existed
July ], 1911. This report. which Is
transmitted herewith, shows in great
detail. Ivy means Of outlines. not only
the departments, commissions bureaus
and offices through which the govern
ment performs It's 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 Mt Washington each such final
unit as a laboratory. library. shop and
administrative subdivision and for the
services outside OF Washington each
station and point at which any activ-
ity 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 organization
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 over
S2.oOO,O0U each year In the opinion OF
the commission its varied activities
can be performed with equal or great
er advantage by other services. The
commission therefore recommends that
1t be abolished. 1t is estimated that
by so doing Il saving of not less than
$1.OOO.OOO II year can he made.
Another report illustrating the Sec
ond series recommends that the light
house and life saving services be ad-
ministered by single bureau instead
of. as at present. by two bureaus lOcat-
ed in different departments. These
services have much in common. Geo
graphically they are similarly located:
enthusiastically they have many Of
the same problems. 1t Is estimated
that consolidation would result in a
saving of not less than 100000 an
nually.
In third report the commission has
recommended the abolition OF the re-
turns Office of the department OF the
interior. This action. In its opinion,
will cause no loss in service to the
public and will result in a direct saw
ing of not less than 500 900 year. in
addition to large indirect economy
in the reduction of work TO be per-
formed in the several offices.
In another report the commission has
recommended the consolidation OF the
six auditing Offices OF the treasury and
the inclusion in the auditing system Of
the seven naval officers who now audit
customs accounts at the principal ports
The changes recommended will improve
in many ways the auditing of public
accounts anu will result IN an inmedi
nte saving of at least $l35. 900 annually
A third series OF reports Is being pre-
pared on those branches OF the organ;
lzntion which are technical i'm charac-
ter and which exist for the service OF
the government AS whoe--bran nc hes
which have tn do with such matters as
public printing. heating, lighting. the
making OF repairs. the providing OF
transportation and the compilation of
statistics where mechanical equipment
Is essential
Abolition Of Local Offices.
Perhaps the part of the organization
in which the greatest economy in pub
lie expenditure Is possible is to he
found IN the numerous lOca offices Of
the government. In some instances the
establishment and the discOntinuance
OF these local offices are matters of ad
stances they are established by perma
nent law in such manner that their
discOntlnuance is beyond the power OF
the president or that Of any executive
; officer, In a number Of services these
laws were passed nearly n century ago