Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-01-12

concur as to- these essentials. Some
|of the proposed reforms have already
been introduced in some OF the bureau
and tie experience thus achieved has
been and will be most helpful in max.
ing the introduction general. A por-
ton OF the recommendations | am es.
tablishing at once by order. As to the
remainder | have appointed a commit
tee, taking representatives from the
War Department and also from the
commission, who will study further the
question Of applying the remainder OF
the recommendations as to which
there is some difference OF opinion IN
some Of the bureaus.
Large Economics Possible. f
After considering the reports which
the various bureau chiefs concerned
have made upon the recommendations
of the economy comission. and confer
ring personally with these bureau
chiefs, | feel satisfied that large econ
omies can be effected In the War De-
partment within the next two years.
On the other hand, it must be remem'
bered that the prompt and satisfactory
manner in which these bureaus, as a
general rule, handle their business
must at all hazard be maintained, and
it may well be that the total savings
estimated by the commission may be
fixed at too high a figure. am quite
clear that such savings cannot be ac-
complishcd in the first year during
which the, proposed reforms are insti-
tuted. The experience Of the Corps OF
Engineers in making similar reforms
in their field Offices has indicated that
the extra effort of instituting the
changes postponed the realization of
the full amount Of the economies un'
til the second year. .
Il alo believe that in making any
such drastic changes as are contem-
plated in these reports, involving en-
tirely new methods and a large ultl-
mate reduction of the clerical force, a
portion OF the savings accomplished
should be devoted toward increasing
the salaries Of tho remaining clerks
uDon whom he accomplishment Of the
reform devClves. In no other way can
the morale and esprit de corps neces-
sary to realize the full benefit of the
change be inspired in the personnel
of the Office. .. ...t. .rIGri
DismissaIs Not Necessary.
Finally, l do not believe that it will
be necessary to accomplish the neces-
sary reduction by arbitrarily dismiss
ing any of the present force. The los'
Sos in the personnel of the War De-
partment through deaths, designations,
discharges and transfers amount to
nearly 10 per cent oil the force annual
ly, and during the past year there has
been accomplished a reduction OF the
entire classified force Of 5 per cent. /
believe that the same policy OF taking
advantage OF this natural reduction
could and should be carried out in the
future in accomplishing the changes re-
commended by the commission.
ON this connection, however, de-
sire to call especial attention to the
provision of law which rreyenta's de-
tails from the adjutant generals office
to other offices or bureaus of the War
Department. That provision OF law
serves no useful purpose Of admins
tration. 1t simply serves to make the
adjutant generals office a favored bu-
.reau, whose employees at times of idle
ness cannot be called upon for service
i'm other bureaus where assistance may
be greatly needed. l have previously
recommended its repeal to congress,
and the same Recommendation is now
mad by the commission on econoy
and efficiency. It's repeal would great
ly facilitate the reorganization OF the
War Departent along the lines pro1os-
ed, and would help to minimize the in
evitable stress and difficulties of in
shutting these salutary changes
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