The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-17
TAFT ON ECONOMIES.

I
President Taft's efforts for a more
economical and efficient conduct of the
multitudinous affairs Of the government
are among the most valuable of his
many excellent services to the whole
people of the nation. And strange.
though it is the attention that they de-
serve has not been paid them so far.
However, the message he sent to con-
gress today on these subjects should do
much to Place this matter in such {.
| light that its Importance Will be real
| lied on all sides, and give to the presi-
dent the commentator and encourage
ment that IS due him.
Until the advent of Mr. Taft in the
White House, no president since the
time of Cleveland has given much if
any attention to the expenses of the
government. They rippled on their way
rejoicing. They oozed forth in ire
mendous waves that called for larger
and larger congressional appropriations,
until a billion dollar congress has be-
come almost a matter of course Be
cause the funds for the conduct of the
United States are indirectly levied on
the people through tariffs, internal rev.
enues and the like on all things and
articles that are needed for the sus-
and never has been much of a protest
on the part of the people against gov
ernmental expenditures. So infinitessi-
NAL is the tex on everything that it is
scarcely felt. And with no direct taxes
to pay, the average man has concern
ed himself little with the appropriate
ing proclivities of each succeeding con-
gress. Nor have government officials
in high station given the matter any
attention. They have all seemed to go
on the theory that because the United
States is the wealthiest nation in the
world, ecause of its wonderful re-
sources. it really mattered not what
the governments expenses might be-
But the expenses of the government,
even if they are raised by indirect tax
alton, are nonetheless q burden on the
people. And this burden had reached
enormous proportions when Mr.. Taft
stepped to the executive chair.
One of his first acts was to direct
his cabinet officers, the heads of the
various governmental departments, to
pare down their estimates to the bone,
and to conduct their departments along
economic lines. Two concrete instances
of the success achieved in this direc-
ton are to be found in the wiping out
of the deficit in the postofice depart
ment and turning it into government
tai money-r4aking agency. and the cor
duct of the department of justice along
lines that have made it more than self
sustaining, regardless of its materially
increased expenses of late.
But, as President Taft's message to
congress of today shows. there is
scarcely a department of the govern
f<-J, I1-
been investigated at his direction with
a view of operating it more economic
ally and making its service more eff
cient. At his request congress created
a commission to investigate these pos
sible economies. President Taft shows
that this commission has already sug-
more than offset the expense that has
been incidental to its operations.
He points out many places where
other economies are possible if the way
to reach them is only provided.
He also shows that this economy com
mission has been barely able to begin
it's work, so vast is the task and so
many are it's ramifications. He asks
congress to make the necessary appro-
priations for the continuance of this
work Congress should not be slow to
answer in the affirmative.
Just before his retirement from public
life, ex-senator Aldrich remarked that
if he We're given free hand he could
effect saving of $500, 900, 600 a year in
the conduct of the government. And
from the suggestions that President
Taft makes in his special message on
this subject, it is apparent that he win
come near doing as well this if he
gets the necessary support from con-
gress.
If for no other reason. the people of
this country would be fully justified in
demanding the retention of President
Taft in office so that he might have the
time and opportunity to inject into the |
administration of the governments af-
fairs the economies that are possible |
Even if the people are willing
to spend a billion dollars a year |
on the conduct of the government. |
think of what larger returns would be
theirs if the $780, 100000 or $500, 900, 900 |
that is now wasted each year were di-
verted to helpful channels.