The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-04-29

chairman CT the commission on econ
omy and efficiency, is in frequent con
ferences with President Wilson. A
year ago the Democratic majority in
the house wanted to do away with the
commission and its activities, but the
wiser counsel of the leaders prevailed.
and the three commissioners are work
ing today SIS hard as they did during
the previous administration. Mr.. Will
son wants to save 100000, 900 year.
but 1t can be set down safely that he
thinks it is possible this amount of the
saving may be doubled.
Will Cut Revenues.
The Democratic tariff bill, if it
| passes congress and is signed by the
president, in anything like its present
form, win cut the yearly revenues of
the government to an amount very
nearly equal to that which has been
set down as the presidents desire to
save by economy and efficiency in gov
eminent. The income tax probably
will more than make good the cut
caused by the reduction in tariff rates.
but if 100000, 900 could be saved the
government could do away with its
income taxation, If it chose, and still
have yearly income equal to that of
the present
The economy and efficiency commits
sion has survived many storm, and
it seems to be in fine condition today,
and to be in sympathetic communities
ton with the president of the United
States. 1t is virtually assured that Mr..
Wilson intends in message to urge
the budget system of handling the
appropriation bills, and likewise to
urge the adoption of good many of
the reforms which Mr. Cleveland and
his associates on the economy and
efficiency commission, Walter w. War
wick and Merritt O. Chance, have rec
commended. Some of the plans which
have been suggested for economy and
efficiency have ceased to worry any
body. The Democrats last year were
made to believe, or at any rate seem
ingly made to believe, that if the COM
missions plans were adopted thou
sands of men and women at work in
Washington would lose their places,
that the government service would be
crippled, and that money could be
saved only at the expense of eff
cheney.
The government clerks have learned
that the plans of the commission, if
adopted, will not mean loss of places
but very likely the creation of more
places, the salaries of which can be
paid out of the savings made while |
the government, using the surplus of |
the saving, can extend it's beneficent |
operations into good many fields |
which it has not yet entered.
Take Kindly to Economy Plan
Representatives in congress who be-
lieve in public buildings for the home
districts and who also think that river
and harbor improvements are more
necessary than the people generally
seemingly are willing to admit. shave
been taking kindly to the plans for
saving hundreds of millions without
causing anybody to lose his job, and
with the seeming certainty that the
governments beneficent functions can
be extended
every year the men who like pork
barrel" legislation think that there
will be less opposition to public build
ngs and river and harbor improve
nents, even those of the not strictly
necessary kind. 1t makes little diff
erence whether it is selfish motive
'r not which has brought the change
If Wow will |
probably, it is said, to support for
he plans of the economy and eff
.iency commission.
The governments expenses increase
ear by year, and it is natural in
rease in way, because the needs
nd the numbers of the governed con-
inually increase.
New Order Pleases. Il
When the mo off1ce-seekers need ]
pply'' sign was put up over the ]
DOR of the White House early :
ast month there was a great noise,
nd the tone of it was protest more |
r less charged with suggestions E
profanity. Now it is said that the
enators and representatives in con- {
ress are rather pleased with the new t
rder Of things. They have gone to 6
lie cabinet officials with their pleas .
'r preferment for Office for their
lends and have found that the mem
ers of the official family are under :
riot instructions from President Will
IN to listen patiently to every proper [
resentation of mans case and to t
scide on the merits thereof.
Woodrow Wilson has made a great t
any "politicaI'' appointments to of t
,e and before he gets through he t
'obabiy will make good many il
ore. but Democrats claim, and some a
the Republicans admit, that it n
ems as if the professional politi- a
ans of the Democratic party are to J
It less of the mere spoils of Office
an some of the party men think is =,
cir just due after having been kept "
Vay from the counter for sixteen
ng>years. G.