Evening star., 1924-03-03
CHAPTER VIII.
Could They Cut Down the DePayf.
meAt Of Commercef

CHAPTER VIII.
Could They Cut Down the DePayt.
ment OF Commerces
Herbert Hoover is Secretary of the
Department of Commerce. He is the
youngest man in the cabinet. He Is
the most Honorary, decorated too.
for If we are to believe the Con-
gressional Directory, nineteen col
leges and universities have granted
him honorary degrees. He is also In
charge OF the youngest department
under a cabinet officer. I met him
in his office at Z o'clock in the eve-
ming. The employees of the Com
merce Department had left the great
building at 40 pm. Hoover rarely
leaves his office until 8. He has the
reputation of working longe- hours
than any other cabinet member
He is a pleasant. business-like type
of executive-dircct,p positive and con-
fident. Rather chunky. in build; high
forehead, square jaw below a deter
mined mouth. We. lost no time on
formalities.
ct am for everything and anything
which will cut the expenses of the
quickly and without effort. He pulled
on his lighted cigar. II am for con-
solidation, reorganization Of depart
ments and for efficiency, both indus
trial and collective"
The Department Of Commerce fs
n new department of government. 1t
has been presided over by only two
other men-Redtield and Alexander.
The present Secretary is naturally
breaking much new ground never be-
fore covered.
We can say that the activities Of
this department may be grouped in
the order of Importance under the
following:
100000 Cut on LiKhthouses.
G) Bureau of lighthouses. This is
a very important work. 1t covers
the work of the lighthouses. both on
the long coasts and on inland lakes
and rivers. Forty per cent Of the
total expenditures of the whole de-
partment are spent in this bureau.
For the Year ending June 80. 1923. a
total Of $8.152,S10.12 was spent in the
bureau of lighthouses. For 1924,
however. Mr.. Hoover believes that in
this bureau alone he will be able to
effect a saving Of approximately
100000.
(2) Next in Importance is the coast
and geodetic survey. This bureau
watches all the coasts and inland
waterways and protects vessels and
all traffic from any obstructions. 1t
is one of the most useful and neces-
sary bureaus in the department. For
1928, total of sl.s9S.210 was spent.
This work is growing in Importance
every year. It is expected that the
amount needed for ti.ts survey for
1924 will be little more than for
last year-s2,13o.
CD The bureau of the census is
next in Importance. at least SO far as
expenditures are concerned. This bu-
reau is now Il continuing organiza-
tion. New figures are being compiled
and published continuously. No de-
partment of the census in any nation
is kept more up-to-date and complete
For this work for 1923 there was
amount asked for and provided in the
estimates is about the same. But for
1925 the census expands its work
and $5.0o0,000 will be laid aside.
The Standard for the World.
t4) The bureau of standards, which
from the standpoint of money ex-
penditures Is on par with the CEN
sus bureau. contains the most COM
plete physical standards and equip
ment in the world. 1t performs hum
dreds of different scientific tests. In
1929. for instance, it tested 600 pre-
cision weights. Its work is varied
and extremely interesting. 1t dis
covered. for example, that aluminium
or bronze paint applied to the under
side of an automobile top will make
the car more comfortable on a hot
sively OIL Standardization of all kinds.
1t is conducting experiments in man
ufacture of optical glasses: tests
spark plugs. liquid gas; is trying to
find why the surface of enamel ware
chips off. II is the great experiment
and testing department of the gov
ernment. Its work is world wide in
it's influence. Considerable work of
the bureau is accepted by other ma
tions as final. 1t has become the
in the world. For the bureau $1.741,-
900 was spent in 1923. This amount
has been reduced for 1924 to $1,550.-
600, a reduction of approximately
100000
How Trade In Promoted.
(5) A new bureau, which has been
growing rapidly, is that of foreign
and domestic commerce. For the f1s-
31.653,s56. For 1924 the estimates
call for &2,550.0oO. an increase of
$1,000.0oo, all of which
goes into the item called promoting
commerce." Under the driving busi-
ness genius of Hoover, this bureau is
moving ahead rapidly. Here is one
place where there seems to be a du-
plication of work with that carried
on in. the Department of State by the
consulate service. The real purpose
of this bureau is to increase Americas
export business. Trade inquiries are
sent direct to industries asked about.
Under this bureau there is issued a
large weekly bulletin giving all man
ner of business statistics, including
analysis of imports and exports. The
work of this bureau covers wide
range. 1t issues reports on many
vestigates textile markets. 1t is the
business -getter for American busi-
ness. It promotes and fosters COM
merce. Sometimes 1t studies a ques-
tion very closely. For the year 1923
the bureau spent $395,00o investigat-
ing sources OF crude ds fnboer: raboe,:s ono -
the most interesting Of all govern
ment bureaus, is today under the
direct supervision of Mr.. Hoovers
department.; SO are the fish hatch
This amount is expected TED to be % cut to
(7) The steamboat inspection SER
vice cost the department 1924, 900 for
1928, About the same will be used
in 1924. The same ratio applies to