Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-09-13

ton. We must see to it at ono,
that the failure of the last congress
Is remedied as quickly as possible
by the return to- peace time basi!
and correction of long existing er.
rors. Not only. must we junk this
machinery that came with war, but
we must repeal the burdensome
war taxes and definitely reduce the
cost of government in normal times
The administration of government
functions can be put upon an eco,
nomical and efficient basis
Throughout by public life. I have
been interested in the organization
and administration OF government
activities along approved business
lines, or, in other words, in ecur-
ing the maximum of effectiveness
with the minimum of expense, and
/ am convinced from my own per-
sonal experiences. as. well as the ex-
oerience of other states, that it can
be done. We have applied business
principles to all our other collec-
tive activities in social and indus
trial life. There is no reason why
they cannot be applied to the fed
eral administration If we sincerely
set our minds and consciences to
the task
Budget System Needed.
"Our pre-war experience had all
ready shown the necessity for adopt
ing the budget system as the basis
of public finance. Our experience
during the war demonstrated that
we should no longer delay in ap-
plying it to the national govern
ment and also showed that a busf-
ness organization and administra-
ton of the federal department and
bureau is imperatively needed.
"An economical and efficient ad-
of government bust
ness must be preceded by two meas
ures. In the first place there must
be business reorganization of gov
ernment bureaus and agency for
he purpose of eliminating over
tapping of functions and duplica-
Lion of activities. 1t is reported
that there are fourteen distinct Of
fices in the federal establishment
1ealing with foreign trade; sixteen
offices having to do with engineer
ng; forty-two offices engaged in
he compilation of statistical infor-
nation; and sixty-four bureaus and
divisions having to do with educa-
ional activity. Strictly service sec
ions of the government should be
'o-ordinated under one general
lead to the advantage of all de-
,artrhents. To do these things prop
'rly will require time for necessary
Investigation and study. A gooo pe-
,inning already has been made
however, byt he work of the econ
my and efficiency commission un-
Ter former President Taft, by con
and private inquiries,
nd by the present committee on
he reclassification of salaries of
ederal employees. Constructive re-
orms may be Immediately inaugu-
ated and developed from year to
ear as investigation and study
yould Indicate
Would Have Commissioner.
Governor Cox declared that If
lected he would ask congress for
to appoint a budget COM
Missioner and would urge upon
ongress the desirability of accept
lg the budget system and of Great
lg budget committee.
The duties Of the budget com
Missioner, he said, would be ''to
ludy methods of coordination of
administration activities and the
eeds of the various departments
nd agencies and also to analyze
nd make recommendations to the /
resident on the estimates submit
I'd by the heads of departments
nd bureau chiefs for transmission y