Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1912-04-26

EVEN DEMOCRATS APPROVE.
Under Taft Reorganization Accom-
plishsd, Frauds Stopped and Law
VioIato-s Punished-DiVoresd From
Wall street.

The treasury department mas recent.
ly received tho commendation OF the
Democratic appropriation committee Of
the house Of representatives for the re-
suits achieved in bringing about econ
ony and efficiency 10 that department.
The general basis of this unusual
praise is the fact that IL is costing 81.
100000 n year less to run this big bust
ness machine OF the government than
1t did three years ago when President
Taft began his administration and ini-
tiated his campaign for governmental
economy by placing an experienced
business man, Secretary MacVeagh. at
the head of the treasury department
The Economy Effected.
The amount new saved each year Is
a 10 per cent REDUCTION In the previous
cost. II tells but half the story Of the
actual economy effected. for there has
been a 10 per cent increase in the busi-
ness OF the department during this
time, making n total gain in the inter-
est OF the taxpayer Of 90 per cent
The eagerness that now exists to
make political capital out Of criticism
makes the fact eminently striking that
through this period Of investigation and
inquiry the treasury department has
been found a fruitless field Of opera
ton. 1t has not even been mentioned
in connection with the alleged money
trust" for the reason that the treasury
department is now for the first time
wholly independent Of the big bank
ers Of the country in its operations.
That the department should always be
above the slightest ground for moral
criticism is of course one Of the funda-
mentals of its administration.
Frauds Are Punished.
The vigor with which the administra-
ton has gone after those who have
attempted frauds on the customs rev.
enue is illustrated by the fact that
more than 100000 has been collect
ed in fines against dishonest importers
and attempted smugglers. Jail SEN
fences In numerous instances have been
added to the fines. The result has been
the creation Of wholesome respect for
the law on the part Of importers and
Americans who travel in foreign lands.
The entire machinery for the collection
Of customs has been overhauled, with
the result that valuations are made
more accurately, and many channels
for frauds have been stopped. One Of
the special aids in this connection has
been the special agents service, which
the secretary has taken personally in
hand.
The other collection agency, the in.
ternal revenue service. has been
brought 10 a high degree Of efficiency.
Its collections last year We're the high
est IN its hlstory-S322. 900 ,000-which
was collected at the expense Of GS.l00
cents for each dollar, substs ntial de-
crease in cost. Internal revenue col
lectors are now giving the major por.
ton OF their time to their official du-
ties, an innovation brought about for
the first time through the inSstence of
the president that efficiency Of admin
jstratlon was more to be desired than
the developing of political machines.
Where Savings Resulted.
Savings in the method Of printing the
paper money of the country have been
made to the extent Of 100000 aunu-
ally, while similar work in the mints
has resulted in cutting down the ex-
penses annually TO the extent OF $4S3,-
600 BY using the mails instead of the
express a saving of 100000 a year is
effected in sending wOrnout notes to
the treasury for redemption. Nearly
$4,000 a year is being saved through
improved methods In handling the pa
per on which money and postage and
internal revenue stamps is printed. A
similar amount Is being saved through
closer scrutiny and economy In print
Ing the stationery for the department.
The revenue cutter service adds to the
list saving OF S10O.O00 year with in
creased activities. so also does the pub.
nc health service. There are many
more details OF savings. all telling the
same story.
Genuine Reforms Made
And this story is the strongest kind
Of a denial OF the charge that Presl-
dent Taft has used the government
employee to further biS own political
advantage. There have been ! yS01 I'M
necessary places abolished under the
treasury department In the last three
years. Five hundred and forty-two OF
these have been in the department
service In Washington. None Of those
In Washington whose places were abol-
ished have been separated from the
service by that fact. Secretary Mac
veagh has rigidly adhered to the pol.
Icy Of saving the vacancies which &C.
Cured In the department by resigna-
ton and death. and these places have
been filed by those who would other
wise have been dropped.
The facts above set forth are CON
vincing proof that under the admins
tratiOn OF President Taft genuine re-
forms IN administration have been ac-
romplished IN bringing the government
business 10 the most practical and eco