The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-18
ported-viz. an average saving of lit
tie over one-half of cent per mile.

pOrteu-NlZ. du dvefdBe SdFluS OIL III
tie over one-half Of cent per mile
One Of the results or byproducts Of
this inquiry into travel expenses was
the recommendation 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 IL 80
ing before an officer competent TO ad-
minister oaths. while every discipline
ry result Is obtained through certifica-
ton under the law prescribing a pen
atty for the Justification Of accounts.
A discontinuance of the juraT in all
cases would result in a direct saving
Of about 100000 per annum.
Other Expenditures to Be Investigated.
Before economy In government trad
ing can be adequately covered such
subjects as the following must be sys-
tematically 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
electricians 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
1t is evident that large savings will re-
suit from such an examination.
Reports at Present Required by Con-
| gress.
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
ly 200 printed reports relating to finan-
cial matters, which must be submitted
| oup,aIlv fo fho copOrocS NV tho vori-
Gus departments and establishments
Studies of these reports and compari
sons of the classification of expendi-
lures as set forth therein have been
made by the commission 70 the end
that. so far as practicable. uniformity
Of classification Of objects Of expendi-
ture may be recommended and identi-
cal Technology adopted.
In due time | shall transmit to the
congress such recommendations for
changes in the present laws relating to
these annual reports as appear to be
pertinent and necessary.
No National Budget
The United States is the only great
nation whose government is operated
without a budget This fact seems to
be more striking when it is consid-
cred that budgets and budget proce
dures are the 0utgrowth of democratic
doctrines and have had an important
part in the development of modern
constitutional rights. The American
commonwealth has suffered much
from responsibility on the part of its
governing agencies The constitutional
purpose Of budget Is to make gov
ernment responsive to public opinion
and responsible for its acts
A budget should be the means for
getting before the legislative branch.
before tine press and before the peo-
pie definite annual program of busi-
ness to be financed. 1t should be in
the nature of prospectus both of
revenues and expenditures. 1t should
comprehend every relation Of the gov
ernment< to the people. whether with
reference to the raising of revenues or
the rendering of service.
In many foreign countries the an
nual budget program is discussed with
special reference to the revenue to be
raised. the thought being that the rails
ing Of revenue bears more direct rela-
ton to welfare than does government
expenditure. Around questions Of
source of revenue political parties
have been organized, and on such
| questions voters in the United States
have taken sides since the first rev.
enue law was proposed.
Citizens Interest In Expenditures.
In political controversy it has been
assumed generally that the individual
citizen has little interest in what the
| government spends. In my opinion.
this has been a serious mistake. one
which Is becoming more serious each
year. Now that population has be-
come more dense. that large cities
have developed. that people are re-
| quired to live in congested centers. that
the national resources frequently are
the subject of private ownership and
private control and that transportation
and other public service facilities are
held and operated by large corpora
tons. what the government does with
nearly $1.OOO.OO0.OOO each year is of as
much concern to the average citizen as
is the manner of obtaining this amount
| of money for public use. In the pres
ent inquiry special attention has been
\ <xfV fh e-sA 10