Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-11

While the speaker was visiting a
Government agency in a distant city
the official in charge was asked by
the local nDstmaster for loan of Gov
eminent trucks to meet an emergency
and thus obviate the expense of hiring
transportation. Government trucks
were idle and were promptly made
available-trucks' controlled by one
Federal agency doing service for an
other Federal agency. A prominent
local business man, who was present,
was greatly impressed by this evil
dence of real cooperation and asked
how much money was saved thereby.
When informed that the 1oaning of
Government transportation to post
masters during the congested Christ
mas season alone had saved $465, 900,
and that this was but one of many
cases of similar savings due to CO.
operation, he said it was wonderful.
And yet he did not know and could
not understand that the wonderful
thing about the transaction was the
initiative Of one set of officials in ap-
plying to officials of other departments
for help. He did not know and could
not understand that the ready COM
pliance of these other officials in
granting the aid requested was an
other and greater wonder. He could
not possibly know and he could not
possibly comprehend the revolution
that has taken place in the Federal
service with regard to the cooperative
utilization Of Government resources.
"a colored preacher who reveled in
polysyllabic words was asked by one
Of his flock the meaning of the word
phenomenon which the pastor was
using with great frequency and evil
dent relish. Said the preacher, I
takes pleasure in calculating the
meanin' Of that useful word. If you
sees CROWN in the outskirts of our
fair village a thistle bush laden with
interestin' If not invitin' thistles,
that's no phenomenon. You sees
thistle bushes and thistles almost too
frequent. If you hears a mockin' bird
f1oodin' the air. with sweet song, that s
no phenomenon. Mockin' birds is not
uncommon. If while listenin' to the
song of the mockin' bird you sees a
kangaroo hoppin' effectively If not
graceful along the roadside, that 8
not in itself a phenomenon. There
may be a circus in town with a
menagerie attached thereto. But, my
hearers, If you sees that kangaroo
settin' on that thistle bush, singin'
like a mockin' bird, that's phe-
nomenon.'
"The confident call for help, the
ready response, is the Federal rule
today. This, my hearers. is the phe.
nomenon.
Making Everything Count.
"There has been no 1et-up. and no
let-up is contemplated. in the effort
to make everything count for true
economy. Word comes. not only from
department and bureau heads, but
from those holding more modest po-
sitions in the service. of earnest de-
sire and honest endeavor to maintain
a high state of efficiency and at the
same time make a record for econ
omy-efficiency and economy, the
one impossible without the other.
An employee of the Treasury Depart.
ment, who has made a record for
utilizing what heretofore had been
regarded as waste material. was re-
Gently asked by the budget director
how his salvage work was progress
ing. 'Fine!' was the answer: we're
saving the dust off spiders legs For
many years Government agencies and
Government people have been ac-
cused of gross waste and extrava-
gance. II that indictment were, ever
warranted. that Day ss forever ss.Ess!s past.