Arizona republican., 1912-04-26
FISCAL REFORMS
 PRODUCE RESULTS
Treasury Department Example of
 Economical Administration.
EVEN DEMOCRATS APPROVE.

Under Taft Reorganization Accom-
 pIished, Frauds Stopped and Law
 Violators Punished-Divorced From
 Wall Street.
 The treasury department has recent ly received the commendation of the Democratic appropriation committee of the house of representatives for the re suits achieved in bringing about econ Omy and efficiency in that department The general basis of this unusual praise is the fact that it is costing 80 500,0O0 a year less to run this big busi- ness machine of the government than it did three years ago when President Taft began his administration and ini- tiated his campaign for governmental economy by placing an experienced business man, Secretary MacVeagh. at the head of the treasury department.
 The Economy Effected.
 The amount now saved each year is 10 per cent reduction in the previous cost. It tells but half the story of the actual economy effected: for there has been 10 per cent increase in the busi ness of the department during this time making a total gain in the inter- est of the taxpayer of % per cent.
 The eagerness that now exists to make political capital out of criticism makes the fact eminently striking that f { of ,,l inquiry the treasury department has been found a fruitless field of opera tiOn. Ii has not even been mentioned in connection with the alleged money trust for the reason that the treasury department is now for the first time wholly independent of the big bank CTS of the country in its operations. That the department should always be above the slightest ground for moral criticism is of course one of the funda- mentals of it's administration.
 Frauds Are Punished.
 The vigOr with which the administra- tiOn has gone after those who have attempted frauds on the customs rev enue is illustrated by the fact that more than $5.OOOO0O has been collect ed in fines against dishonest importers and attempted smugglers Jail sen tences in numerous instances have been added to the fines. The result has been the creation of a wholesome respect for the law on the part of importers and Americans who travel in foreign lands. The entire machinery for the collection of customs has been Overhaued. with the result that valuations are made more accurately. and many channels for frauds have been stopped. One of the special aids in this connection has been the special agents service. which the secretary has taken personally ill hand.
 The other collection agency. the in ternal revenue service. has been brought 10 q high degree of efficiency Its collections last year were the high est in it's hstory-S322 OOO. which was collected at the expense of ! 6S-1OO cents for each dollar, a substantial de crease in cost Internal revenue col lectOrs are now giving the major DOT
  ties. an innovation brought about for the first time through the insiStence of tue president that efficiency of admin istration was more 10 be desired than the developing of political machines.
 Where Savings Resulted.
 Savings in the method of printing the paper money of tho country have been made. to the extent of SGOO,oOO annu- ally. while similar work in the hints has resulted in cutting down the ex- penses annually to the extent of $4S3,- GOO. By using tue mails instead of the express saving of $60,OO0 year is effected in sending wornOut notes to the treasury for redemption. Nearly $50,00O year is being saved through improved methods in handling the pa per on which money and postage and internal revenue stamps is printed. 4 similar amount is being saved through closer scrutiny and economy in print ing the tatiOnery for the department. The revenue cutter service adds to the list a saving of $1OO,00O a year with in creased activities, so also does the pub lie health service. There are many more details of savings, all telling the same story.
 Genuine Reforms Made.
 And this story is the strongest kind of a denial of the charge that Presi- dent Taft has used the government employee to further his own political advantage There have been 1901 un- necessary places abolished under the treasury department in the last three years. Five hundred and fOrty-twO of these have been ill the department service in Washington. None of those in Washington whose places were abol- ishpd have been separated from the service by that fact. Secretary Mac Veagh has rigidly adhered to the pol icy of saving the vacancies. which Oc- cured in the department by resigna- ton and death. and these places have been filled by those who would other wise have been dropped.
 The facts above set forth are con vincing proof that under the admins 1 tration of President Taft genuine re | forms in administration have been ac complished in bringing the government