Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-11-04

handing less extravaganza and more
N efficiency in the conduct of the Govern
ment any constructive suggestion that Is
calculated to better conditions deserves
thoughtful consideration, and to this fact,
we feel sure, may be attributed the attention
that has been aroused by the proposal to re-
organize and change the name of the Interior
Department to the Department of Pubic
Works.
There can be no economy where there is
inefficiency. The inefficient workman, con-
tractor or Government official is an expen-
sive burden at half the price Of the efficient
workman, contractor official. 1t is futile
to talk of economical administration of the
Government or any other business that is
honeycombed with inefficiency, and lnefh-
cient methods are just as Wasteful and ex-
travagant of time and money and energy as
inefficient employees, OverSeers and directors.
The Federal Government numbers among
it's officials and subordinates many recognized
authorities in the special line of work in
which they are engaged This is, indeed,
fortunate. But the advantage that the Gov
eminent should enjoy from the help of these
authorities is neutralized by the methods and
conditions under which many of them are
compelled to operate. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
architects engineers, etc.-are handicapped
by inefficient methods. The economies affect
ed by their knowledge and capacity are lost
in the waste and extravaganza of department.
The Congressional Directory offers abund-
ant evidence of the duplication that exists
in Washington, and persons familiar with
the detailed workings of the several execu-
tive departments understand and are stag
gered by the waste of money and energy that
ensues in consequence of this lack of co-or-
Gination.
There are twenty-nine bureaus and agen-
cies of the Government engaged in construc-
ton work of one kind or another, while four
different executive departments are engaged
IN fuel tests. Instead of working in concert
ana harmony, as one might suppose the sew
cral bureaus and agencies though engaged
i'll the same general line of endeavor, are
actually competing with one another. Re-
cent disclosures have exposed instances
where one bureau has bid up the price Of
commodity required by the Government, for
lear that another bureau might get it.
Senator Jones, of Washington, is author
OF bill now pending in Congress that is
CeSgnet to remedy the evil in SO far as DOS
1te rae measure proposes to change the
name OF the Interior Department to the
Department of Public Works and to redis-
tribute among the several Executive Depart-
ments many of the powers, functions and
duties that are now performed by the Interior
department. 1t proposes further to relieve
other executive departments of certain powers
ana functions and delegate them to the De-
partment of Public Works
The Interior Department under the pres
ent arrangement deals with most of the Gov
eminent activities of engineering and highly
technical interest. Other executive depart-
ments, however, contain divisions and bu-
reaus that are devoted to technical and en-
slneerlng matters. The Jones bill seeks to
coordinate these technical activities in a
single Executive Department-the DEPART
ment of Public Works
The Patent Office, the Bureau of Pensions
the Bureau of Education, the Bureau of In
dian Affairs, excepting alone it's engineering
and constructive work st. EliZabeth's
Hospital for Insane several other non
technical agencies are transferred from the
Interior Department to the other Executive
Departments whose work is more nearly akin
TO the activities of the respective bureaus
The Construction division of the Treasury
river and harbor improvements, the Super
Vlslng Architects Office, the Coast and Geo
detlc Survey, the Bureau of Public Roads
and many other engineering and technical
activities are taken from the Executive De-
partments with which they are now ident1-
fed and placed in the Department OF Public
Works.
1t is the contention OF Senator Jones and
the friends of the proposed legislation that
it's enactment, resulting in the reorganiza-
ton of the Interior Department under an
other name, will make for efficiency and
economy. Duplication of effort, extravagant
expenditure of energy and money will be
oi4nihdIeu ny Inc operation OI the Dill, tney
insist. The engineering and construction
work of the Government will be placed on a
more business-like basis. The coordination
of these activities under a single executive
head, will be reflected in improved public
service at less expense.
The suggestion contained in the Jones bill
admittedly is constructive. 1t is apparently
a step in the right direction, and if it will &C
complsh ene-half the good it's advocates
claim for it. obviously Congress should give
it thoughtful consideration.
TIE G01lpr-utne1zt and the Ntrikp.