Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-01-18

make possible the exercise Of intelli-
gent Judgment regarding the discretion
displayed In maxim. expenditure and
concerning the value Of the results OBJ
tanned when contrasted with the sacri-
fees required.
am convinced that results which
are really worth while cannot be Sc
cured, or at least can be secured only
In small part, through the prosecution
at irregular intervals OF special In
quiries bearing on particular services
or features Of administration. The
benefits thus obtained must be but
temporary The problem Of good ad-
ministration is not one that can be
solved at one time. 1t Is continuous
ly present one.
Plan Of the Work.
In accordance with my instructions
the commission on economy and ell
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-
tions under whieh governmental opera
lions must be carried on With basis
thus laid It has proceeded to the prose
cution Of detailed studies OF indivldual
services and classes Of work and OF
particular practices and methods, push
ing these studies as far and covering
as many points and services as the re-
sources and time at its disposal nave
permitted.
In approaching its task 1t has dirid-
ed the work into FIVE fields OF inquiry
having to do respectively with organl-
cation. personnel. business methods, ac-
counting and reporting and the budget
Organization.
have stated that the congress. tho
president and the administrative Of
acers are attempting to discharge the
duties with which they are intrusted
without full information as to the
agencies through which the work or
the government is being performed.
TO provide more complete information
on this po;ut the commission has SUD
n,itted to me a report on the organi-
cation OF the government as It existed
JuIy j. 1911. This report, which Is
transmitted herewith, shows in great
detail. by means of outlines, not only
.he departments. commissions, bureaus
and Offices through which the govern
ment performs its varied activities.
but also the sections, shops, field STA
lions, etc. constituting the subordinate
divisions through which the work IS
actually done 1t shows for the serV-
ices at Washington each such 1nal
unit as a laboratory. library. shop ana
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 Demonstrates.
With this outline as 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 and third series OF re.
ports deal, respectively, with the or
qanization 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
1880, 900 each year. In the opinion ol
the commission its varied activities
can be performed with equal or great
er advantage by other services. Inc
commission therefore recommends that
Il he abolished. 1t is estimated that
BY so doing saving Of not less than
81 900, 900 year can be 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;
administratively they have many OF
the same problems. 1t is estimated
that consolidation would result in
saving of not less than 100000 an
nually.
In a 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 direct saw
ing Of not less than $4,000 year. In
addition to a 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 and will result In an immedi-
ate saving of at least $135, 600 annually
third series of reports Is being pre-