The Nevada County picayune., 1912-01-19

sequence tho necessity that the president ters of patronage time which they should devote to questions of policy and admin istration.
 Business Methods.
 In every case where technical pro- cesses have been studied 1t has been dem onstrsted beyond question that large eco monies may be effected. The subjects first approached were those which lie close to each administrator viz, office practices. An illustration of the possi- bilities within this field may be found in the results of the inquiry into the meth ods of handling and filing correspondence. Every office in the government has re- ported It's methods to the commission. These reports brought to light the fact that present methods were quite in the reverse 3e Aaifoim. Sons offices follow tho practice of briefng all correspon- dence; some do not. Some have fat files; others fold all papers before filing. Some use press copies; others retain only carbon copies.
 Need for lsvorsavIna Office Devices. The use of la a5or-saving office devices in the service has been made the subject of special Inquiry. An impression prevails that the government is not making use of mechanical devices for economizips labor to the same extent as are efficiently managed private enterprises. A study has been made of the sxtsnt to which devices of this character ere now being employed in the several branches of tho government and the opportunities that exist for their more general use.
 The efforts of the commission resulted also in the adoption by several bureaus or departments of improved methods of do- ing copying. The amount of copy work heretofore done by hand each year In tho many offices is estimated to aggregate several hundred thousand dollars. The commission exhibited. at its offices, ap- plisnces that were thought to bs especial ly adapted to this kind of government work. Following those demonstrations methods of copying were introduced which have brought about saving of over 75 per cent in offices where used for six months. This change in one small crosa-section of office practice will more than offset the whole cost of by inquiry Waste In the Distribution of Public
 Documents.
 Going outside the office. ono of the business processes which have been in- vestigated Is the distribution of depart ment documents This Is a subject with which both the congress and admins tration heads are familiar. The prevail ing practice in handling departmental publications is to have them manufac-
 
 each Job when completed s delivered to the department; here the books or pam phlets are wrapped and addressed. then are then sent to the postofnce: there they are assorted and prepared for shipment through the mails; from the postoff1ce they are sent to the railroad station, which Is only few steps from the gov ernment printing office. when they started. The results Of this laborious and circuitous method is to make the use of the best mechanical equipment impraetic- able and to waste each year not less than q quarter of million dollars of govern ment funds in useless handling. to say nothing of ths indirect loss due to lack of proper coordination.
 The use of equipment is matter which also has been investigated. Up to the present time this investigation has been in the main confined to the subject of electric lighting.
 Lack of Specifications.
 The importance of establishing and maintaining standard specifications Is found not only In the possibility of very- materially reducing the 1t...-ct cost of gov e.I11ent trading. but also In insu5tns to the service materials, supplies and equip ment which arc better adapted tH its purposes. One of the results of indsfin- iteness of specifications Is to impose eon- tract conditions whi-S mako It extra pa- zardous for persons to enter into coh- tractual relations. This not only ceprtves the government of the advantage of broad competition. but causes 1t to pay an added margin in price to vendors who must carry the risk.
 The Budget.
 The United States Is the only sroat na- ton whose government is operated with out a budget. This fact seems to be mors striking when 1t is considered that bud- gets and budget procedures arc the out growth of democratic doctrines and have had an important part In the development of modern constitutional rights. The American commonwealth has suffered much from responsibility on the part of it's governing agencies. The constitution al purpose of a budget is to mako gov ernment responsive to public opinion and responsible for its acts.
 The Budget as an Annual Program.
 A budget should be tho means for get ting before the legislative branch. before the press, and before the people definits annual program of business to be finan- ced; tt should be in the nature of a pros- pectus both of revenues and expendi- lures: it should comprehend every rela- ton of the government to the people. whether with reference to the raising of revenues or the rendering of service.
 The principal government objects In which the people of the United States arc interested include:
 The national defense; the protection of persons and property; the promotion oS friendly relations and the protection of American interests abroad. tho regulation of commerce and industry, the promotion of agriculture, fisheries forestry and min