The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-01-18
SEES BETTER AND
CHEAPER SERVICE
President Submits an Economy
and Efficiency Message.
RESULTS OF INQUIRY TOLD
Special Commission Found Extrava-
giant and Anticipated Methods In
Government Work and Many
Unnecessary Offices.

Washington President Taft has
submitted to congress a special message
on economy and efficiency in the govern
ment service. The message in part is as
follows:
To tho Senate and House of Representa-
tiveS:
submit for the information of the con-
gress this report of progress made in the
inQuiTr into the efficiency and economy OF
the methods of transacting public busi-
ness.
Efficiency and economy in the govern
ment service have been demanded with
increasing ioSistence for a generation.
Real ecohonv IL the result of efficient or
ganizatioh By perfecting the organiza-
ton the gaFue benefits may be obtained
at less eXpeEse. A reduction in the to-
tai of the annual appropriations is not
In itself a proof of economy, since ii is
often accompanied by decrease in eff
cheney. The needs of the nation may de-
mand a large increase of expenditure, yet
to keep the total appropriation within
the expected reveneu is necessary to the
maintenance of public credit
Upon the president must rest a large
share of the responsibility for the de-
mands made upon the treasury for the
current administration OF the executive
branch Of the government Upon the
congress must rest responsibility for
those grants of public funds which are
made for other purposes.
Reason for the Inquiry.
Recognizing my share of responsibility
for efficient and economical administra-
ton, l have endeavored during the past
two years, with the assistance of heads
Of departments. to secure the best re-
suits. AS one Of the means to this end
requested a grant from congress to
make my efforts more effective.
An appropriation of 100000 was made
June rs. 1910, to enable the president to
inquire into the methods of transacting
the public business Of the executive de-
partments and other government estab-
lishments and to recommend to congress
such legislation as may be necessary to
carry into effect changes found to be de-
sirable that cannot be accomplished by
executive action alone. ! have been given
this fund to enable me to take action
and to make specific recommendations
with respect to the details of transacting
the business of an organization whose ac-
tivities are almost as varied as those Of
the entire business world. The opera
tions of the government affect the inter-
est of every person living within the jur-
lsdiction of the United States. Its or
ganiZation embraces stations and centers
Of work located in every city and in
many local subdivisions of the country.
Its gross expenditures amount to nearly
,0C, 900 annually. Including the per-
sonnel Of the military and naval estab-
lishments. more than 100000 persons are
required to do the work imposed by law
upon the executive branch OF the govern
meut.
Plan Of the Work.
In accordance with my instructions. the
commission on economy and efficiency,
which I organized to aid me in the in
quiry. has directed its efforts primarily
to the formulation of concrete recommen-
dations looking to the betterment of the
fundamental conditions under which gov
ernmental operations must be carried on.
With a basis thus laid, 1t has proceeded
to the prosecution of detailed studies of
individual services and classes Of work,
and of particular practices and methods.
pushing these studies as far and cover
ing as many points and services, as the
resources and time at its disposal have
permitted.
In approaching its task It has divided
the work into five fields of inquiry hav-
Ing to do respectively with organization.
personnel business methods, accounting
and reporting, and the budget.
Comprehensive Plan of Organization.
On organization the commission has en-
tered upon the preparation of three series
Of reports The first series deals with
the manner in which the services OF the
government should be grouped in depart
mentS. This is a matter of fundamental
Importance. 1t Is only after a satisfac-
tory solution OF this problem that many
important measures of reform become
possible.
The second and third series of reports
deal. respectively. with the organization
and activities of particular services and
the form of organization for the perform
ance Of particular business operations.
One Of the reports of the second Sc
ries Is upon the revenue cutter service,
which costs the government over two and
half million dollars each year. In the
opinion OF the commission its varied ac-
tivities can be performed with equal, or
greater advantage by other services
The commission. therefore. recommends
that II be abolished. It is estimated that
by so doing saving of not less than ST.
100000 year can be made
Another report Illustrating the second
series recommends that the nghthOuSe
and life saving services be administered
by a single bureau, instead of as at pres
ent by two bureaus located In different
departments. These services have much
in common. Geographically, they are
similarly located: administratively, they
have many of the same problems 1t is
estimated that consolidation would result
in saving of not less than 100000 an
nually.
Abolition Of Local Offices.
Perhaps the part of the organization in
which the greatest economy in public ex-
penditure Is possible is to be found in
the numerous local offices of the govern
ment. In some instances the establish
ment and the discontinuance OF these To-
cal offices are matters of administrative
discretion. In other instances they are
established by permanent law in such a
manner that their discontinuance is be-
yond the power of the president or that
of any executive officer.
The responsibility for the maintenance
Of these conditions must naturally be di-
Vi6ed between the congress and the exc
cutiVe. But that the executive has per-
formed his duty when he has called the
attention Of the congress to the matter
must also be admitted Realizing my re-