The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-01-20
President Submits an Economy
and Efficiency Message.
RESULTS OF INQUIRY TOLD
opeclai Commission Found Extrava-
giant and Antiquated Methods In
Government Work and Many
Unnecessary Offices.

submitted to congress a special message
on economy and efficiency In the govern
ment service. The message In part Is as
follows:
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
] submit for tho Information OF the con-
gress this report OF progress made In the
inquiry into the efficiency and economy OF
she methods OF transacting public busi-
ness.
Efficiency and economy in the govern
ment service have been demanded with
Increasing insistence for a generation.
Real economy Is tho result OF efficient or
Ranizatlon BY perfecting the organiza-
tIon the same benefits may be obtained
At less expense. reduction In the to-
tai OF the annual appropriations Is not
In Itself a proof of economy. since 1t Is
often accompanied by decrease in eff
cheney. The needs of the nation may de-
mand a large Increase Of expenditure, yet
60 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-
rnands made upon the treasury for the
current adrnl lnistration 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-
tion. ! 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 grant from congress to
make my efforts more effective.
An appropriation Of 1900 made
June 25 1910. to enable the president to
inquire Into the methods Of transacting
the public business of the executive de-
partments and other government estab-
Lshments and to recommend to congress-
such legislation as may be necessary to
carry into effect changes found to be de-
sirabie that cannot be accomplished by
executive action alone. l have been given
this fund to enable 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 varied as those OF
the entire business world The opera
tious OF the government affect the inter
est OF every person living within the jur-
isdictton OF the United States. Its or
Ranization embraces stations and centers
OF work located In every city and In
many local subdivisions OF the country.
Its gross expenditures amount to nearly
LOO ,onooo annually, Including the per
sonneI of the military and naval estab-
iishments. more than 10000 persons are
required to do the work imposed by law
upon the executive branch OF the govern
ment,
Plan Of the Work.
In accordance with my instructions, the
commission on economy and efficiency
which | organized to aid me in the in
Guiry. has directed Its efforts primarily
20 the formulation OF concrete recommen-
dations looking to the betterment OF the
"a a1 uybi
ernmentsl operations must be carried on.
with a basis thus laid. It 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 Ave 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
rnents- This Is matter OF fundamental
Importance II is only after satsfac-
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
rtes is upon the revenue cutter service
which costs the government over two and
a half million dollars each year In the
tad
tiyittes can be performed with equal, or
greater. advantage by other services.
The commission. therefore, recommends
that 1t be abolished. II Is estimated that
by SO doing saving OF not less than H.
00O. .Ol0 a year can be made.
Another report illustrating the second
series recommends that the lighthouse
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 II is
estimated that consolidation would result
In a saving OF not less than 100000 an
uualIy.
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 discoatinuance of these To-
cal Offices are matters OF administrative
discretion. In other instances they are
established by permanent law in such Z
manner that their discontinuance is be
yond the power Of the president or tha
OF any executive officer.
The responsibility for the maintenance
Of these conditions must naturally be di
vfded between the congress and the exc
eutive. But that the executive has per
formed his duty when he has called tn
attention OF the congress to the matte
must also be admitted Realixing my re
sponsibility in the premises. 1 have di
rected the commission to prepare re
port setting forth the positions In tn
local services OF the government whicl
may be discontinued with advantage. tn
saving which would result from such &C
tion and the changes in law which ar
necessary to carry into effect changes i
organization found to BE- desirable o