Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1912-04-12

ioiloW. IL lS not TO be doubted that
where no saving would result the
classification of the local officers
would increase the efficiency Of the
service. It would be desirable also
to place all marshals, deputy mar
shals, and assistant attorneys in the
classified service, although but little
direct economy would result Super
vising inspectors in the steamboat in
spection service and the members of
the field service in the bureau of fish
cries should be placed in the classified
service.
Commissions Report on Local OFFICES.
The report on methods of appoint
ment submitted to me by the commits
sion, which covers fully the subject of
appointments by the president by and
with the advice and consent of the
senate, and recommends that various
local officers, such as postmasters, col
lectors Of internal revenue, etc., and
heads of bureaus in the departmental
service, be included in the classified
service, is transmitted herewith Gap
pendix No. ~. The report and recon-
mendations are approved by me.
Consolidation Of Lighthouse and Life
Saving Services.
The commissions report (Appendix
No. q recommends that the life.sav-
ing service Of the department of the
treasury be discontinued as a separate
organization and that the maintenance
- 90 nj, 80
tions of the country be made one of
the duties of the bureau of lighthouses
of the department of commerce and
labor. l concur in this recommends
tion and urge that the necessary legis-
lation for carrying it into effect be
enacted
Revenue Cutter Service.
The report of the commission on the
revenue cutter service (Appendix No.
81 represents a detailed investigation
of the history, organization and activ-
tiles of this branch of the government
service and its relation to other serv-
ices. The conclusion Is reached that
all Of the duties now being performed
by this service can be performed with
equal efficiency by other services and
that great economy will result by
having these duties so performed. The
commission accordingly recommends
that the service be abolished as dis
tinct organization; that its equipment
be distributed. among other services
requiring the use of marine craft; and
that provision be made for the per-
formance Of the work now being done
by it by such other services.
With these fundamental recommen-
dations of the commission l am in
full accord, and l recommend that the
necessary action be enacted to put
them into effect.
Consolidation of Auditing Offices.
The report upon the organization
and methods of work of the account
ing Offices of the treasury (appendix
No. ~ recommends that the offices of
the six auditors be consolidated under
one auditor, and that the auditors of
customs accounts located at the prin-
cipal ports, and known as naval off,
GERS, be made assistants to the audi
tors. An increase in the efficiency of
the treasury audit will be one result
Of the carrying out Of these recon-
mendations, and the saving of expense
when the consolidation has been fully
completed will amount to at least
100000 a year, based upon current
appropriations. The present organiza-
tion, under which six independent au-
ditors are engaged in the one work
of final audit of the government ac-
counts, is certainly one that can pro.
duce only diversity of practice and
procedure, inefficient use of personnel
and equipment, and delay and uncer.
tainty of requirements from which the
public as we'll as officers of the gov,
ernment must suffer-
In my opinion a change in law to
carry into effect these recommends
tions of the commission, which have
my approval, will be in the interest
of the public service.
The Returns Office.
The report upon the returns Office
Of the department of the interior Gap
pendix No. 81 recommends the aboli
tion of that office and that provision
for public inspection of government
contracts be made through the office
of the auditors Of the treasury, il
which Offices the originals of all con
tracts are filed. 1t also recommends
the substitution of certificate fol
the affidavit required to be attached
to the contracts of the departments O.
war, the navy, and the interior, and al
amendment of the statute which nov
requires all the contracts of those de
partments to be in writing I trans
init letters from the secretaries of thu
departments referred to, concurring il
the conclusions and recommendation
of the commission. l approve the re
port and commend 1t to the favorable
consideration of the congress.
Government Expenses for Travel.
The report upon travel expendi
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