Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-04


sition being no longer required. there
would be a saving In salaries to the gov
eminent of SASH 300. In the case Of post
masters at offices of the third class a
large annual saving could be made.
Pension Agencies.
An annual saving of nearly So. 600
could be made if the position of pension
agent were placed in the classified service,
since the work now done by a pension
agent at a salary of $1,000, and chief
clerk. at a salary ranging between 81. 400
and s., 80 could easily be done by one
person in the permanent classified serV-
ice at a salary varying from 2,1oO TO
5000. Greater economy and efnc1ency
would result from the abolition of the
pension agencies and from the adoption
of a plan In accordance with which PEN
sions would be paid by the pension ONCE
in Washington.
District Land Offices.
What is true in the matter of payment
of pensions is also true in the service un-
der the general land office. The field
service OF this office could be more eff
GENTLY and economically operated II 1t
were provided by law that the office Of
receiver of district land offices be abol-
ished and the duties transferred to the
register, assisted by bonded clerk. ana
the register placed in the class1ned serV,
ice II has several times been estimated
that more than 100000 would be saved
annually and the efficiency of the service
greatly increased by the adoption Of such
g plan
Internal Revenue and Custom Of
fees.
Largo axnenditudes are made for SAL
aries of political appointees in the internal
revenue and customs services In both
services a direct saving in salaries, and
an indirect economy through increased
efficiency. would follow a transfer OF such
Offices to the classified service.
Other Local Offices.
In the other field services the saving
which would result from the classification
Of the local officers under the departments
Is not as marked or probably capable OF
as exact estimation as in those mentioned,
but there is no doubt that substantial
savings would follow. 1t Is not to be
doubted that where no saving would re-
suit the classification of the local officers
would increase the efficiency of the serv-
ice 1t would be desirable also to place
ali marshals, deputy marshals and as
sistant attorneys in the classified serv-
ice although but little direct economy
would result. Supervising inspectors In
the steamboat inspection service and the
members OF the field service in the bureau
OF fisheries should be placed In the classi-
fed service.
Commissions Report on Local Of
The report on methods of appointment
submitted to me by the commission,
which covers fully the subject of appoint
ments by the President by and with the
advice and consent OF the Senate. and
recommends that various local officers.
such as postmasters. collectors OF internal
revenue. etc, and heads Of bureaus in the
departmental service be included In the
classified service. is transmitted here
with. The report and recommendations
are approved by me.
In the interest of an efficient and
economical administration of the vast
business of the government l urge the
necessity for the inauguration of this i'm
portant reform, and recommend that the
necessary amendments be made to the
laws governing appointments, such
amendments to take effect not later than
July |. 1919, so that there may be secur-
ed TO the people the benefits TO be derived
from conduct of their affairs by officers
selected on a merit basis and devoting
of their offices.
Consolidation of Two Services.
The commissions report recommends
that the hfe-saving service of the Depart
mcnt of the Treasury be discontinued as
a separate organization and that the
maintenance and operation of the life
saving stations of the country be made
one of the duties of the bureau OF light
houses of the department OF Commerce
and Labor concur in this recon-
mendation and urge that the necessary
legislation for carrying it into effect be
enacted.
Both of these services arc organized
and maintained for the same general pur-
pose-the protection of life and property
endangered along the coasts and other
na1gable waters. Both maintain sta
tions along the coast. which are located
for the most part In close proximity Both
have substantially the same business
problems to meet in locating, construct
ing and maintaining these stations: in
recruiting the personnel: in manufacture
ing or purchasing equipment; I'm pirchas-
ing, housing in depots and distributing
supplies; in operating field inspection
service: in maintaining telephone and
other means of communication; In dis
bursting funds; in keeping proper books
of accounts: and in rendering reports
showing financial and other transactions.
The maintenance of two separat serv-
ices, as at present, means a duplication
OF organization in respect to all OF these
operations. The recommendation of the
commission does not contemplate any
essential change in the work of the life
saving stations; IL is for tho transfer OF
the business management of these insti-
tutions 10 the bureau of lighthouses. Tha,
bureau being fully organized for the ad-
ministration OF stations of this character
Will be able to direct and manage these
stations with compar atively little addition
TO its present force and equipment. The
commission estimates that. in addition tc
the advantage that will be obtained
through having these two services operat.
cd by the same organization, a direct
economy will be secured of at least $780,.
30 annually, and that the saving will
greatly exceed this sum after the frs
year
Revenue Cutter Service.
The report OF the commission on thu
revenue cutter service represents q de
tailed investigation Of the history. organ
3zation and activities of this branch o
the government service and its relation
to other services The conclusion 4
reached that all of the duties now bein;
performed by this service can be per
formed with equal efficiency by othe
Er md