Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1912-01-18
Business Methods.

IcrB Oh phtIOu68o htt4S WAtNAs e~-~s
devote to questions Of policy and admin
!stration-
Business Methods.
In every case where technical pro
cesses have been studied II has been DEM
onstrated beyond question that large eco
Monies may be effected The subjects
first approached were those which LIE
close TO each administrator, VIZ. ofnce
practices. An illustration OF the posi-
oilities within this field may be found In
the results OF the inquiry into the meth
DDS of handling and fling correspondence
Every Office in the government has re-
ported its methods to the commission
These reports brought 10 light the fact
that present methods were quite In the
reverse OF uniform. Some offices follow
the practice OF briefng all correspon-
dence: some do not. Some have na'
files: others fold all papers before hling
Some use press copies; others retain only
carbon copies.
Need Cor Lavor-saving Office Devices
The use Of labor-saving office devices In
the service has been made the subject OF
special inquiry. An impression prevails
that the government Is not making use
OF mechanical devices for economizins
labor TO the same extent as are Efficiently
managed private enterprises. A study
has been made Of the extent to which
devices of this character are now being
employed In the several branches OF the
government and the opportunities that
exist for their more general use.
The efforts OF the commission resulted
also In the adoption by several bureaus or
departments OF improved methods or 40
ing copying. The amount Of copy work
heretofore done by hand each year In the
many offices Is estimated to aggregate
several hundred thousand dollars. The
commission exhibited, at Its offices. ap-
pllances that were thought to be especial
ly adapted 10 this kind OF government
work Following these demonstration
methods OF copying were introduced
which have brought about saving ol
over rs per cent. in offices where used
for six months. This change In one small
cross s-section of office practice Will more
than Offset the whole cost Of by inquiry
Waste In the Distribution OF Public
\ Documents.
Goins outside the office. one of the
business processes which have been In
vestiZated is the distribution OF depart
ment documents This is a subject with
which both the congress and admins
tration' heads are familiar. The prevail
ing practice In handling departmental
publications is to have them manufac-
tured at the government printing office:
each Job when completed Is delivered to
the department: here the books or pam
phlets are wrapped and addressed; then
are then sent to the postoffice: there they
are assorted andi prepared for shipment
through the mails: from the postofflce
they are sent to the railroad station.
which is only a few steps from the gov
eminent printing office. when they
started. The results OF this laborfoue and
circuitous method is to make the use OF
the best mechanical equipment impractic-
able and to waste each year not less thar
a quarter OF million dollars OF govern
ment funds in useless handling, to say
nothing OF the indirect loss due 10 lach
Of proper coordination.
The use OF equipment is matter which
also has been investigated. Up 10 th'
present time this investigation has beer
In the main confined to the subject o.
electric lighting.
Lack Of Specifications.
The Importance OF establishing ant
maintaining standard specifications II
found not only in the possibility OF YER,
materially reducing the direct cost OF gov
the service materials, supplies and equip
ment which are better adapted to it'
purposes. One OF the results OF indefin-
iteness Of specifications II to impose con-
tract conditions which make II extra ha-
zardous for persons to enter into con-
trnctual relations. This not only deprives
the government Of the advantage OF
broad competition but causes II to pay
an added margin In price TO vendors who
must carry the risk.
The Budget.
The United States Is the only great ma
ton whose government is operated with
out budget This fact seems TO be more
striking when II is considered that bud
gets and budget procedures are the out
growth OF democratic doctrines and have
had an important part in the development
Of modern constitutional rights. The
American commonwealth has suffered
much from irresponsibillty on the part OF
It's governing agencies. The constitution
al purpose OF a budget is TO make gov
ernment responsive to public opinion and
responsible for its acts.
The Budget as an Annual Program.
A budget should be the means for get
ting before the legislative branch. before
the press. and before the people definite
annual program OF business 10 be finan'
ced; Il should be in the nature OF pros
pectus both OF revenues and expendi
lures; Il should comprehend every rela
ton Of the government TO the people
whether with reference TO the raising o.
revenues or the rendering OF service.
The principal government objects II
which the people OF the United States
are interested include:
The national defense: the protection o
persons and property; the promotion o
friendly relations and the protection o
American interests abroad; the regulation
OF commerce and industry; the promotion
OF agriculture. fisheries. forestry and min
ing: the promotion OF manufacturing
commerce. and banking; the promotion o
transportation and communication; IN
postal service, including postal saving
and parcels post: the care for and utl'
zation of the public domain: the promo
ton of education. art. science and recre
alton: the promotion OF the public health
the dare and education of the Indian
and other wards OF the nation.
These are public welfare questions y
which I assume every citizen has vita
interest ] believe that every member o
congress. as an official representative o
the people, each editor. as lnon-officia
representative Of public opinion. eac
citizen. as beneficiary OF the trust I'm
posed on officers OF the government
should be able readily 20 ascertain HOY
much has been spent for each OF thes
purposes: how much has been appropri
ated for the current year; how much tn
administration Is asking for each OF thes
purposes for the next fiscal year.
Furthermore. each person intereste
should have laid before him clear. well
dlgested statement showing In deta
whether moneys appropriated have bee
economically spent and whether each dl
vision or office has been efficiently rur
This IL the information which should b
available each year in the form OF
budget and in detail accounts and report
supporting the budget
I ask the continuance OF this commits
sion on economy and efficiency oecaus
OF the excellent beginning which has bee
| made toward the reorganization OF IN
machinery OF this government on bus
ness principles ask II because Its wor
is entirely non partisan in character an
ought 10 apply TO every citizen VIII
wishes 10 give effectiveness 10 popula
government in which we feel Just prid
| The work further commends Itself &c
I ~ nj