The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-01-17
Sends Message to Congress on
Economy and Efficiency
In Government
Observation-Disclosures
He Urges Its Continuance and
Support For II
Believes Al Administrative officers
Should 30 Put under the
Civil Service.

washington, Jan. l7.-lliow the pso
pie of the United States may hav
saved for them millions OF dollars an
nually in the operation of their gov
ernmental machinery was outlined b.
President Taft today I'm a message &
congress on economy and efiicienc!
in the government service"
what the government does will
nearly .O00.OOO0O0 each year" sal,
the president rs of as much con
cern TO the average citizen as Is tn,
manner of obtaining this amount oI
money for the public USE
Would Broaden Civil Service.
Probably the most radical proposal
advanced by the President in today's
message was that all administrative
officers OF the government in the de-
partments at Washington and in the
field be put under the civil service; bo
removed from the influence of politics
and that their terms of office be not
limited as at present to four years.
such officers should not be appointed
by the president with the necessity of
senate confirmation. he said, but upon
merit. 'The extension of the merit
system To these officers and a needed
re-adjustment of salaries" said he, will
have important effects i'm securing
greater economy and efficiency. The
view that these various offices are to
be filled as a result of political con-
sideration has for its consequence the
necessity that the president and MEM
bers of congress devote To matter OF
patronage time which they should de-
vote to questions Of policy and adj
niinlstration
Continue Economy Commission.
The president did not attempt To
explain In detail the work of the econo-
my and efficiency commission created
by act of congress n year and half
ago. lie sketched the outlines OF inn
provements that he said could be made
in government service: declared that
they would effect saving OF many
millions of dollars and asked that con-
Eress continue the. commission by
granting an appropriation of 5000. 900
with $4,000 for printing its reports.
From time TO time. he added, re-
ports of the commissioner proposing
particular reforms would be sent to-
congress.
Il ask said the president "the con-
unuance of this commission on Econo-
my and Efficiency because of the ex
cellent beginning which has been made
towards the reorganization of the ma
chlnery OF this government on busi-
ness principles. | ask IL because its
work is entirely non partisan I'm char
acter and ought to apply to every cltl-
zen who wishes to give effectiveness TO
popular government In which we feel
just pride. sincerely hope that
congress will not, i'm It's anxiety to re-
ducc expenditures. ccenonize by cut
ting off an appropriation hch is like
ly TO offer greater opportialty for real
economy I'm the future than any other
estimated for"
Initial Work Well Done.
To date the president said. the COM
mission has cost the people about $780,
900. Without having put I'm effect more
than "A few reforms II has suggested
changes that will save s2.00O.0OO year. |
These" said the president represent
only few of the many services which
should be subjected to like painstak- |
ing inquiry. III this is done. il is be- |
yond question that many millions Of
savings may be realized" The value
of such investigation i'm increased in
terest which officers of the government |
VIII take In their own departments:
their own work and that OF their sub |
ordinates, he said. could hardly be es-
timated.
The initial work" said President |
Iaft. has been well done. The inquiry |
with it's constructive measures is web |
under way, The work should not be
presented with vigor and receive the |
financial support necessary to make II |
effective during the next fiscai year |
Every economy which has been or will |
oe Effected through changes in organ
lIation or method will inure to the |
peheht OF the government and OF the |
people In increasing measure through |
'N''' NhiNh ibiiON ain CON- 4
''nced that results which are really |
worth while cannot be secured, or at |
ie"St can be secured only I'm small part, |
through the prosecution at irregular |
intervals OF special inquiries bearing
Oh particular services OF features of |
The benefits thus OBJ
'a'ned must be but temporary. The |!
p'oolem of good administration is not |
one that can be solved at one time |
u Is continuously present one"
Need Of Re- organization.
IN many ways the president inform
'u congress, decrease i'm the cost of
soVernment might be assured. There
's need he said of reorganization of |
me government departments. con-
'o''aation and wedding out of bureaus