The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1912-01-19

found not on.y in the pusslb!uty ~ very
materially reducing the direct cost OF gov
eminent trading, but also in insuring to
the service materials, supplies and equip
ment which are better adapted to its
purposes. One of the results Of indefln-
iteness OF specifications is to impose con
tract conditions which make 1t extra ha-
zardous for persons to enter into con
.tractual relations. This not only deprives
the government Of the advantage OF
broad competition, but causes IT to pay
an added margin in price to vendors who
must carry the risk.
Excessive Cost Of Travel.
One OF the first steps taken toward
constructive work was the reclassifica-
ton of the expenditures for the year 1915
by objects. The foundation was thus
made for the Investigation Of government
trading practices. While 1t was recog-
nized that this large field could not be
covered within a year except at enormous
cost. the subjects Of Transportation OF
persons" and Subsistence while In travel
status were taken as concrete examples.
The annual cost OF travel to the govern
ment was found to be about $12, 600, 600. 1t
was also found that the government en-
ployees were travelling in practically ev-
cry way that was open to the public; 1t
was further found that although the gov
rnmen was the largest user OF trans
portation. 1t was buying railroad tickets
on q less favorable basis than would be
possible II the subject Of travelling ex-
penditures were systematically handled
from the point Of view OF the government
as a whole. The form Of ticket most Oft
en- used between such points as New
York, Philadelphia and Washington was
the single-trip, frst-class ticket. In two
departments definite tests have been
made In the use OF mileage boks and in
each practically the same result has been
reported. viz, an average saving OF a
little over one-half Of one cent per mile.
Better Methods for Purchasing.
Through a long period of years and by
numerous laws ard orders there has
grown up a procedure governing public
advertising and contracting that is more
burdensome and expensive in some cases
than Is necessary. The procedure is not
uniform in the various departments: 1t Is
not Uniform in many cases for the DIFF
ferent services in the same department.
To make uniform the requirements so far
as practicable will be in the interest of
economy and efficiency and bring about
that simplicity that will secure the larg-
est opportunity for contractors to bid for
government work, and will secure for the
government the most favorable prices OBJ
tanned by any purchaser.
The Budget.
The United Ctates is the only great ma
ton whose government is operated with
out a budget. This fact seems to be more
striking when 1t Is considered that bud
gets and budget procedures are the out
growth Of democratic doctrines and have
had an important part In the development
Of modern constitutional rights. TIL
American commonwealth has suffered
much from responsibility on the part of
its governing agencies. The constitution
al purpose of a budget Is to make gov
ernment responsive to public opinion and
responsible for It's acts.
The Budget az an Annual Program.
A budget should be the means for get
ting before the legislative branch. before
the press, and before the people a definite
annual program Of business to be fnan-
ced; 1T should be in the nature Of a pros
pectus both of revenues and expendi-
lures, 1t should comprehend every rela-
ton of the government to the people,
whether with reference to the raising OF
revenues or the rendering Of service.
In many foreign countries the annual
budget program is discussed with special
reference to the revenue to be raised. the
thought being that the raising Of revenue
bears more direct relation to welfare than
does government expenditure Around
questions OF source OF revenue political
parties have been organized. and on such
questions voters In the United States
have taken sides since the frst revenue
law was proposed.
Pubiie-W elfare Questions.
Thu principal government objects In
which the people Of the United States
are interested include:
TIL national defense; the protection Of
persons and property: the promotion Of
friendly relations and the protection Of
American interests abroad; the regulation
Of and industry; the promotion
OF agriculture. fisheries, forestry and min
ing; the promotion OF manufacturing.
commerce, and banking; the promotion of
transportation and communication; the
postal service, including postal savings
and parcels post; the care for and utili-
cation Of the public domain; the promo
ton OF education, art, science and recre-
alton; the promotion Of the public health;
the care and education OF the Indians
and other wards Of the nation.
These are pu~blic-welfare questions ia
which l assume every citizen has a vital
interest. l believe that every member OF
congress. as an official representative Of
the people, each editor, as a non-ofhcial
representative OF public opinion. each
citizen, As q beneficiary OF the trust i'm
posed on officers of the government,
should be able readily to ascertain how
much has been spent for each Of these
purposes; how much has been appropri-
ated for the current year; how much the
administration is asking for Zach Of these
purposes for the next fiscal year.
Furthermore. each person interested
should have laid before him a clear. we'll
digested statement showing in detail
whether moneys appropriated nave been
economically spent and whether each d.
vision or office has been efficiently run.
This IL the Information which should be
available each year In the form Of a
budget and in detail account and reports
supporting tho budget.
Continuance Of the Commission.
ask the continuance Of this commits
sion on economy and efficiency because
of the excellent beginning which has been
made toward the reorganization of the
machinery Of this government on bust
ness principles. l ask 1t because its work
is entirely non-partisan in character and
ought to apply to every citizen who
wishes to give effectiveness to popular
government, in which we feel a just pride.
The work further commends itself for
the reason that the cost OF organization