The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1912-04-25
FISCAL REFORMS
PRODUCE RESULTS
Treasury Department Ex EpIe Of
Economical Administration !
even DEMOCRATS APPROVE
Under Taft Reorganization Accom-.
p!ished. Frauds Stopped and Law
violators Punishsd-Divereed From
Wall Street.

The treasury department has recent.
" received the COMMUNICATION Of the
Democratic appropriation COMMITTEES Ut
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 ST.
5OO.OCO a year less to run this big bust.
ness machine of the government than
It did three years ngo when President
Taft began his administration and ini.
tia;ed his campaign for governmental
economy by placing IN experienced
business man. Secretary Marveagh. nj.
the head OF the treasury department
The Economy Effected.
The amount new saved each year is
a 10 per cent reduction In the previous
cost. 1t tells but half the story Of the
actual economy erected. for there has
been 10 Ter cent increase in the bust
ness Of the department during this
time. making total gain III the inter-
est OF the taxpayer of % per cent.
The eager2ess that now exists to
make political capital out Of criticism
makes the fact emiEentlv striking that
through this period Of investigation and
inquiry the treasury department has
been found fruitless fie.d Of opera
ton. 1t 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
ers 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 its 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.OO0.OCO has been collect
ed in fines against dishonest importers
and attempted smugglers. Jail SEN
fences In numerous instances have been
added to the fnes. The result has been
the creation Of a wholesome respect for
the law on the part Of importers and
Americans who travel in foreisln lands.
The entire machinery for the collection
Of customs has been overhauled. with
the result that valuations are made
more accurately. and many channels
For frauds have heen stopped. One of
The special aids in this connection has
been the special agents service, which
the secretary has taken personally in
hand.
The other collection agency. the in
ernal revenue service. has been
brought to high degree Of efficiency.
tn collections last year were the high
at in it's history $500 OOO 600 which
vas collected at the expense Of 100
'ents for each dollar. a substa initial de-
rease in cost. Internal revenue col
ectors are now giving the major. l,or-
ION Of their time to their official du-
lea. an innovation brought about for
he first time through the insistence Of
he president that efficiency Of admin
stratt0n was more to be desired than
he developing Of political machines
Whore Savings Resulted.
Savings In the method Of printing the
'aper money Of the country have been
made to the extent Of 100000 anbu-
lily. while similar work in the mints
las resulted in cutting down the ex-
'enses annually to the extent Of $483.-
co. By using the mails instead OF the
Express a saving Of 100000 year Is
nected In sending wornout notes to
be treasury for redemption. Nearly
$4,000 year is being saved through
improved methods In handling the pa
er on which money and postage and |
Internal revenue stamps is printed. A
imilar amount Is being saved through
loser scrutiny and economy in print
az the stationery for the department.
he revenue cutter service adds TO the
st a saving of 100000 a year with In |
reased activities. Sd also does the pub |
c health service. There are many I
lore details Of savings. all telling the |
anne story.
Genuine Reforms Made.
And this story is the strongest kind
denial of the charge that Presi-
ent Taft has used the government
nployee to further his own political
dvantage. There have been 1901 IN
ecessary places abolished under the
'easury department in the last three
ears. Five hundred and forty-two OF
lese have been in the Department
.rvice In Washington. None OF those
Washington whose places were ahol-
he'd have been separated from the |
'rvice by that fact. Secretary Mac
eagh has lrigidly adhered to the pol-
y OF saving the vacancies which %
tired in the department by resiena-
IN and death. and these places have
'en Cl.ed by those who would other
ise have been dropped.
The facts above set forth arr con.
ncing proof that under the adminis-
alton Of President Taft genuin ~ |.
rms IN administration have ben &c
u,pdshed b bringing the governs1opt
slnee9 to the most practical and 80. Ia