The Colorado statesman., 1912-01-20
TAFT ON ECONOMY
AND EFFICIENCY
President Sends Another Special
Message to Congress.
PLANS FOR BETTER SERVICE
Results Of Commissions Inquiry Into
Methods Of Saving Money and
Getting Better Work From
Government Employees.

other message, this time on economy
and efficiency in the government serv-
dee
The message in part is as follows:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentaives
L submit for the information of the
congress this report of progress made
in the inquiry into the efficiency and
economy of the methods OF transact
fng public business.
Efficiency and economy in the gov
ernment service have been demanded
with increasing insistence for a gener-
alton. Real economy is the result of
efficient organization. BY perfecting
the organization the same benefits
may be obtained at less expense. A
reduction in the total of the annual
appropriations is not In itself proof
OF economy, since It is often accom-
panied by decrease in efficiency.
The needs of the nation may demand
a large increase Of expenditure, yet to
keep the total appropriations within
the expected revenue is necessary to
the maintenance Of public credit.
Upon the president must rest a
large share Of the responsibility for
the demands made upon the treasury
for the current administration of the
executive branch of the government.
Upon the congress must rest RESPONSE
bility for those grants of public funds
which are made for other purposes.
Reason for the Inquiry.
Recognizing my share of reSponsi-
bility for efficient and economical ad-
ministration, l have endeavored dur
fng the past two years, with the as
sistance of heads of departments. to
secure the best results. AS one of
the means to this end l requested a
grant from congress to make my eff
forts more effective.
An appropriation of 100000 was
made June 25, 1910, "to enable the
president to inquire into the methods
of transacting the public business OF
the executive departments and other
government establishments and to
recommend to congress such legisla-
ton as may be necessary to carry into
effect changes found to be desirable
that cannot be accomplished by execu-
tive action alone" l have been given
this fund to enable me to take action
with respect to the details of transact
fng the business of an organization
whose activities are almost as varied
as those OF the entire business world.
The operations of the government af-
feet the interest of every person liv-
ing within the jurisdiction of the Unit
ed States. Its organization embraces
stations and centers of work located
in every city and In many local sub
divisions of the country. Its gross ex-
penditures amount to nearly $1,000.
100000 annually Including the per-
sonnel of the military and naval es-
adjustments, more than 100000 per-
sons are required to do the work i'm
posed by law upon the executive
branch of the government.
Plan Of the Work.
In accordance with my instructions,
the commission on economy and eff
cheney, which l 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
tons under which governmental op
erations must be carried ons With a
DdSlS IluS ldlu, II HAS pTOCeeueu " inc
prosecution of detailed studies of in
dividual services and classes of work.
and of particular practices and meth
DDS, pushing these studies as far, and
covering as many points and services.
as the resources and time at its dis
posal have permitted
In approaching its task It has di
vided the work into five fields of in
quiry having to do respectively with
organization, personnel, business meth
DDS, accounting and reporting, and
the budget.
Organization.
have stated that the congress, the
president, and the administrative Off
GERS are attempting to discharge the
duties with which they are intrusted
without full information as to the
agencies through which the work of
the government is being performed.
To provide more complete information
on this point the commission has sub
mitted to me a report on the organiza-
tion of the government as 1t existed
July 1, 1911. This report, which is
transmitted herewith shows in great
detail, by means OF outlines. not only
the departments, commissions. bu-
reaus and offices through which the
government performs its varied ac-
dvities. but also the sections. shops,
field stations. ETC.. constituting the
subordinate divisions through which
the work is actually done. 1t shows
for the services at Washington each
isuch final unit as laboratory library.
shop and administrative subdivision;
and for the services outside of Wash
ington each station and point at which
any activity Of the government is car
ried on.