Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-01-24
SEES BETTER AND
CHEAPER SERVICE
President Submits an Economy
and Efficiency Message.
RESULTS OF INQUIRY TOLD
Special Commission Found Extrsva.
CANT and Antiquities M.theds In
Government Work ard sasny
Unnecessary Offices.

'f't~~~N~-E
washington. President Taft has
submitted TO congress a special message
on economy and efficiency in the govern
rnent service. The message in part is as
follows:
TO the Senate and House Of Representa-
tives.
i submit for the information Of the con-
gress this repor, Of progress made In the
inquiry into the efficiency and economy OF
ahe methods Of transacting public BUSH
ness.
Efficiency and economy IN the govern
nent service have been demanded with
Increasing insistence for a generation.
Real economy is the result Of efficient or
ganlzatiOn. By perfecting the organiza-
ton the same benefits may be obtained
at less expense. A reduction In the to-
tai OF the annual appropriations is not
In itself a proof OF economy, since Il is
often accompanied by a decrease in eff
cheney The needs Of the nation may de-
nand large increase Of expenditure yet
60 keep the total appropriation within
the expected reyeneu Is necessary to the
maintenance OF public credit,
Upon the president must rest 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 adminlstra-
ton. ] have endeavored during the past
two years, with the assistance OF heads
of departments. 10 secure the best re-
suits As one OF the means 10 this end
requested a grant from congress TO
make MY efforts more sGeu..ys
An appropriation Of 100000 was made
June =, 1910 TO enable the president 20
inquire into the methods OF transacting
the public business Of the executive de-
partments and other government estab-
iishments and TO recommend 10 congress
such legislation as may be necessary 20
carry into effect changes found To be de-
birable that cannot be accomplished by
executive action alone. I have been given
this fund to enable me 70 take aetlen
and 10 make specific recommendations
with respect to the details of transacting
the business OF an organization whose &C
tivities are almost as varied az those of
the entire business world. The opera
lions Of the government affect the inter
est Of every person living within the tur-
lsdiction OF the United States. It's or
SANITATION embraces stations and csnters
Of work located In every city and In
many local nlD0iFiHt0nA OF the country.
it gross expenditures amount TO nearly
Looo.oe00oo annually. Including tho per-
sonnet OF the military and naval estab-
ushments. more than 10000 persons are
required 10 do the work imposed by law
tipon the executive branch OF tho govern
ment.
Plan OF the Work.
In accordance with my Instructions. the
commission on economy and efficiency,
which organized TO aid me In tho in
nuiry has directed lts efforts primarily
10 the formulation OF concrete recommen-
Nations looking 10 the betteTment OF the
fundamental conditions inder which gov
ernmental operations rlust be carried on
With a basis thus aio. II has proceeded
10 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 It's disposal have
permitted
In approaching It's task II has divided
The work into Eve 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
pf reports. The FIRST series deals with
the manner In which the services OF the
government should be grouped In depart
ments. This IL a matter OF Fundamental
Importance. il is only after a satsfac-
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 So
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-
fivttes can be performed with equal, or
greater, advantage by other services.
The commission therefore recommends
that It be abolished. II Is estimated that
by so doing a saving OF not less than ST..
200 year can be made
Another report Illustrating thu second
series recommends that the lighthouse
end life saving services be administered
by single bureau instead OF as al pres
snt by two bureaus located in different
departments. These services have much
IN common, Geographically. they are
similarly located. Enthusiastically, they
have many OF the same problems. II Is
estimated that consolidation would result
In saving OF not less than $4,000 an
nually.
Abolition Of Local Offices.
Perhaps the part OF the organisation IN
which the greatest economy in public ex-
pendlture Is possible is TO be found IN
the numerous local offices OF the govern
ment In some Instances the establish
ment and the discontinuanca OF these To-
cal offlces are matters Of administrative
discretion In other Instances they are
established by permanent law in such a
manner that their discontinuanCe is be-
yoRd the power Of the president or that
OF any executive officer
The responsibility for the maintenance
OF these conditions must naturally be d.
vided 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 60 the matter
must also be admitted Realizing my re
Eponsibllty in the premises. I have a.
rected the commission 10 prepare a re-
port setting forth the positions In the
local services OK the government which
may be discontinued with advantage the
saving which would result from such ae-
sion and the changes in law which are
necessary TO carry into effect changes In
organization found to be desirable. On
Mf,ttfrA ~ Ean,ttv Names