The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-12-22


pendent action OF the executive we
were able TO accomplish an immense
amount OF work for the public was
through volunteer unpaid commissions
appointed by the President. IL was
possible TO get the work done by
these volunteer commissions only be-
cause OF the enthusiasm for the pub
lie service which. starting in the high
er Offices at Washington. made itself
telt throughout the government de-
partments-as ! have said, never
knew harder and more dislnterested
work done by any people than was
done by the men and women OF all
ranks IN the government service. The
contrast was really extraordinary be-
tween their live interest in their work
and the traditional clerical apathy
Whlch has so often been the distin-
gushing note Of governmental work
IN Washington. Most of the public
service performed by these volunteer
commissions. carried on without a
cent OF pay TO the men themselves.
and wholly without cost to the govern
ment. was done by men the great ma
Joflty or whom were already In the
government service and already
charged with responsibilities amount
ing each to full mans Job.
The first OF these commissions was
the Commission on the ORGANIZATION
OF Government Scientific Work. whose
chairman was Charles ID. Walcott. Ap
pointed March -. 1903. it's duty was
20 report directly to the President
upon the organization. present condi-
ton and needs OF the executive GOV
eminent work wholly or partly scien-
tlnc IN Character. and upon the steps
which should be- taken II any, TO pre-
vent the duplication of such work, to
coordinate its various branches. to
increase its efficiency and economy,
ana TO promote its usefulness TO the
nation at large" This commission
spent four months in an examination
which covered the work OF about 80
OF the larger scientific and executive
bureaus OF the government. and pre-
pared a report which furnished the
oasis for numerous Improvements IN
the government service
Department Methods.
Another Commission. Amounted
JHne :, 1905, was that on Department
Methods-Charles II. Keep. Chairman
whose task was TO find out what
changes are needed TO place the CON
duct or the executive business OF the
Government in all its branches on the
most economical and effective basis
IN the light OF the best modern bust
ne, ness practce. The letter appointing
this Commission laid down nine prin-
cples OF effective Governmental
Work, the most striking OF which
was; The existence any method
standard, custom, or practice is no
reason Tor It's continuance when a bet
Ter Is offered" This Commission
composed. Ike that Just described OF
men already charged with important
work, performed its functions wholly
without cost to the Government. II
was assisted by q body OF about sew
ehty experts in the Government de-
q oh Co.
qualifications TO carry forward a
study or the best methods I'm bust
ness. and organized into assistant
committees under the leadership OF
Overton W. Price. Secretary OF the
Commission These assistant com.
mittees, all OF whose members were
sun carrying on their regular work.
made their reports during the last
mar or 1906. The committed inform
ed itself fully regarding the business
methods OF practically every individ.
ual branch OF the business of the Gov.
eminent and effected a marked i'm.
proNement In general efficiency
throughout the service.
Inc conduct OF the routine business
OF the Government had never been
thoroughly overhaulcd before and this
. examination q ~ resulted in the tro-
mitigation Of a set OF working min.
ciples for the transaction OF public
I business which are as sound today a.
they were when the Committee I'm.
!>hcd lis work. The somewhat Ella
uorate and costly Investigations OF
Government blsiness methods since
made have served merely to confirm
me findings Of the Committee on De.
partmontal Methods. which are
achieved without costing the Govern
ment dollar. The actual savinf, in
the conduct OF the business thus in.
PRODUCED amounted yearly 10 many
hundreds ~ thousands OF dollars. but
far more important gain was duo
20 the remarkable success Of tho Com.
. mission In establishing = new point
Of view in public servants toward
Their work
A Belated Stove.
The need FOR improvement I'm the
governmental methods OF transacting
business may be Illustrated bv an nc.
tual case. An officer in charge OF an
indian agency made a reqlisitlon I'm
the autumn for stove costing seven
dollars certifying at the same time
That b. was needed 20 keep the in
Urinary warm during the winter. be
cause the Old stove was worn ont
Thcreupon the customary papers went
through the customary routine with
out unusual delay az any point The
transaction moved Ike glacier with
dignity 20 r. appointed cnd and the
stove reached tho lunrmary in good