Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-01-18
equipment are contemplated which
promise even larger results.

equipment are contemplated which
promise even larger results.
Unnecessary Cost Of Insurance..
It is the policy Of the government
not to insure public property against
fire and other losses. Question has
been raised whether the government
might not apply the same principle to
other forms Of risk, including insur-
ance Of the fidelity Of officials and en-
ploy ees. A report is now In prepara-
ton on the subject which will show
for large savings. ! be
lieye that the present expense for in
surfing the faithful execution Of con-
tracts, which, though paid by the con-
tractor, is more than covered IN the
added price to the government, can pc
largely reduced without taking away
any element of security.
The Importance Of establishing ana
maintaining standard specifca t1ons IS
found not only in the possibility OF
very materially reducing the direct
cost Of government trading, out arse
In insuring to the service materials
supplies and equipment which are bet.
ter adapted to its purposes. One OF
the results OF Indebtedness OF spec1h-
cations is to impose contract condl
lions which make 1t extra hazardous
for persons to enter into contractuai
relations. This not only deprives the
government Of the advantage Of broad
competition. but causes it to pay an
added margin in price to vendors, VINO
must carry the risk SD .s
Excessive Cost Of Travel.
The annual cost Of travel to the gov,
eminent was found to be about $l2,
10000. 1t was also found that the
government employees were travelling
in practically every way that was
open to the public. It was further I
found that although the government
was the largest user Of transportation,
1t was buying railroad tickets on
less favorable basis than would be
possible If the subject Of travelling ex-
penditures were systematically nan
died from the point Of view Of the
as whole. The form OF
ticket most often used between such
points as New York. Philadelphia and
Washington was the single trip FIRST
class ticket. In two departments det1-
nite tests have been made in the use
of mileage books, and in each prac-
tically the same result has been re-
ported-viz, an average saving Of lit
tie over one-half Of / cent per mile
One of the results or byproducts OF
this inquiry into travel expenses was
the recommends ton that the jurat or
affidavit which is now required by or
der of the comptroller be discontinued.
The jurat does not add to the value OF
the return, involves persons travelling
in much annoyance and trouble In go
ing before an officer competent to ad-.
minister oaths, while every dlsc1pllna-
nv result is obtained through cert1hca-
ton under the law prescribing pen
atty for the Justification of accounts.
A discontinuance of the jurat IN all
cases would result in a direct saving
Of about sec, 900 per annunl.
Other Expenditures to Be investigated.
Before economy in government trad
ing can be adequately covered such
subjects as the following must be sys-
inquired into-viz: Subsist-
ence and support Of persons; subsist-
ence and care for animals and the stor-
age and care Of vehicles; telephone,
telegraph and commercial messenger
service; printing, engraving, litho-
graphing and binding; advertising and
the publication Of notices; heat, Light,
power and electricity purchased; re-
pairs by contract and open market Or
der; building and other materials;
drafting, scientific and stationery sup
plies: fuel; mechanics, engineering and
supplies; cleaning and
toilet supplies; wearing apparel and
hand sewing supplies; forage and 9th
er supplies for animals; provisions; ex-
plosives and pyrotechnic supplies; heat,
light, power and electrical equipment;
live stock; furniture and furnishings;
educational and scientific equipment
From what has been already ascertain
ed concerning certain of these differ
ent objects Of government expenditure
it is evident that large savings will re-
sult from such an examination.
Reports at Present Required by Con.
gross.
The commission has made study OF
the present requirements Of law relat-
ing to reports which are in whole or
In part financial In character from the
various departments and establish
ments. There are more than ninety
acts of congress which annually re-
quire reports Of this character. These
requirements Of the law result In near
" 200 printed reports relating to fnan-
cial matters, which must be submitted
to the congress by the yar1-
Gus departments and establishments.
Studies of these reports and compar1-
sons of the classification Of expendi-
lures as set forth therein have been
made by the commission to the end
that, so far as practicable, uniformity
Of classification Of objects Of expendi-