Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-21
ECONOMY and Efficiency

crai Assemblies approval OF the measure
offered by Senator Drewry. providing for the
appointment OF an economy and efficiency
commission. Such n commission would he
charged with the duty OF recommending, by
consultations or otherwise the reduction of
expenses of the State government
The similar commission named in Mary
land, and headed by President Goodnow, OF
Johns Hopkins. already has effected large
savings i'll administration. 1t has submitted
a plan for State budget, that apparently will
be approved by the Legislature. It has dis
covered that by a consolidation Of two bureaus
the Roads Commission and the Automobile
CommisSon--great economies would be at
tended by no loss OF efficiency. And the
Maryland commission has just got started.
An economy and efficiency commission put
to work on the departments of the State gov
eminent Of Virginia could do we'll, or better
For the reduction of State expenses desirable
as that would be, should be only one of the
aims of progressive and intelligent develop
ment OF governmental methods. Economy Is
only one manifestation of efficiency.
The chief trouble with our system OF gov
eminent, like that of many others, Is forcibly
pointed out by Sir William Osler, Sir William
Crookcs, Sir William Ramsey and number
of other distinguished scientists, in mani
.festo issued to the people of their country 1t
lies In the lack of scientific information in
the failure OF government in nearly all its
branches to apply science to government and
In Its ignorance Of the scientific principles
that should determine methods and issues
This fault lies much deeper than in legis-
lative or executive officers; it has its incep-
ton In educational methods. AS the student
is taught the legislator, the Mayor the Gov
ernor Will devise laws administer them
If he had been educated along scientific lines
not the science of chemistry or physics, but
that particular science toward which his later
energies were to be bent-his efficiency would
have been by much the greater This
principle finds its most conspicuous demon
stration perhaps. in Germany. That Ger
many has been able to prosecute the war with
such wonderful effect has been due in one
word, to efficiency and that efficiency has
been brought about by her recognition of the
practical value of science. Her leaders in
every line. are those scientifically prepared
for that leadership
Nor has she confined the application of
science to the training OF fighting men Her
cities are models Of municipal government;
her schools and colleges are the foremost in
the world; her specialists are the most noted
And it Is all due to her recognition of the
value Of science.
This country and this State have no need
OF such vast fighting machine as Germanys
but both need to profit by her example in
the arts and sciences and Industries. both
public and private, of peace. The economy
extend its recommendations beyond the mere
question of how to save money
er=================
Theodore Shonts. president of the Inter
borough system OF New York put in three
hours In conference with the late Mayor
Gaynor. 1nasmuch as tho Mayor was con-
Verted to Mr.. Shonts's plans. the latter did
not consider that the time was wasted
no
IN recent editorial, the New York Sun un-
L dertook to bcittle the President i'm
peculiarly unpleasant way by an ANALYSIS of
what might be called the internal evidence in
his writings and speeches. While tho Sun
drew dire prophecies from the Presidents
use OF such words as genuine and "frank
it dwclt with greater sorrow. or exultation on
his employment of very" which II dubs 1.-The
feminine adverb."
While the word very" frequently is obioc-
tionable. and generally is unnecessary rather
good authority may be found TO sustain its
use. beginning with the Book of Numbers
i'll which occurs Now the man Moses was
very meek" through the Psalms-"O Lord
Thy thoughts are very deep" for one of many
instances--to the Epistle Of James with "the
Lord is very pitiful." this feminine advcrb
may he found in the Bible in the very sense
to which tho Sun objects. that is as an In
tcnsive.
II the Sun was yeuturig into the Higher
Criticism and applying il to the President, in
its lamentation it seems 10 have found itself
in tho same position OF distress as the Prophet
jeremiah TO whom the Lord said BE We very
desOlatc.'
Marse Henry informs tho country that
Rar back on yer hind legs is the generic
vcrnacnlar and proper expression, and not
Stand up on your hind legs" In Kentucky
under certain conditions, "Wallcrin' on your
! back would be more approximate
French Children and German Fighters
+ anything were needed to visualize tho
4 horrors OF tho European war, it is supplied
ny picture printed I'm the New York World
yesterday, i'll which little children are shown
| on their way TO misunderstanding gas masks,
| In the historic city of Rheims. schools arc
conducted in subterranean Chambers because
| OF the constant dropping Of bombs By tho
Germans. But TO reach these schools the
| children must pass through the streets and
the Germans realize that asphyxiating gases
| are quite as effective against children as they
| are against comhatants