The Washington herald., 1914-12-27
SUGGESTS PROBE
FOR US. AFFAIRS
Chicago Writer Says People
Should Examine
Books.
CASH READY FOR THE PROJECT
ves6saion Business Submits
to. Is Argument.

PhiIadeIphia!s Dec 2s.-The Public
Ledger prints the following Chicago
dispatch:
The recent suggestion that the ad-
ministration of Federal governmental
affairs be subjected to q thorough in
vestigation by q great body OF citfzens
representing the people Of the United
States has struck deep into the
thoughts of men who make events, and
the question of its practical application
soon will be put to test. There are
several organizations, such as the As
sociation OF Commerce OF Chicago and
the Chamber OF Commerce of the
United States, that can be useful In
this connection, and some of them will
act presently, but ultimately the work
must be performed by a body made up
for that purpose and employing the
best experts that are to be had
This idea had its origin in no political
interest or selfish motive, and II carried
into execution viii be applied without
fear or favor wherever the Federal gov
ernment is doing anything. The first OBJ
ject will bo similar to that Of an ac-
countant or an efficiency expert exam
lining a corporation, and there Is not a
function OF the government that should
escape notice.
Presidents, Cabinet officers, chiefs OF
divisions, members of Congress now
strive TO please those who put them in
their positions or who will be likely TO
give them preferment in the future. II
subjected to business tests as TO the
lower ranks and to administrative tests
as to the upper, loyalty TO ideals win
take the place Of subserviency to per
sons. spirit similar TO that which pre-
walls in a well-trained army, and which
is believed to exist among our troops to
good degree, will grow up.
Urges Annual Budget.
There have been many Investigations of
city, State, and Federal government ac-
counts, and efficiency boards have be-
come rather numerous. They do good in
their way. One Of the best Of these
boards is checking up the workings Of
the Chicago city government. Also the
accounts Of the city have been thoroughly
examined once IN recent years by a firm
of expert accountants. These things are
necessary, but not sufficient
The recent address of DR.. Allen, Of the
University of Wisconsin. before the Com
mercial Club of Chicago, which had for
its purpose advocacy OF an annual bud
get for the United States government,
well demonstrated the spirit OF reformers
an others who desire something more
systematic in the management Of Federal
business than We ever have had, and also
showed that President Taft achieved
something in the line Of disclosing bad
methods and illustrating good methods.
Also. the address demonstrated the
weakness Of the plan under which the
champions of a budget now are working.
The government will not investigate IT.
self. II some efforts are put forth to
audit the accounts OF various depart
ments and recommend changes, that will
be the extent OF the matter, even though
a budget is adopted. Again and again
this has been shown, for there has been
more than one effort to correct abuses
In the business of the Federal govern
ment. The only method that can be effec-
tive is that of organizing an agency out
side Of official circles.
1t would cost many millions of dollars
to carry out a comprehensive scheme OF
investigation and recommendation. There
is no doubt that the money can be had.
Indeed, some OF II already has been
promised.
Nor is there anything unfriendly to the
government, TO any administration, or to
any party in this idea. Bank presidents
and oficiaIs do not consider an audit of
their accounts and investigation Of their
methods an unfriendly act or one involy-
ing suspicion. The administration Of our
government never has been subjected to
the tests which corporations are willing
to have applied to their affairs.