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

each oncoming wave deposited a. fres}
| installment inside the gunwales of tn,
craft, while several threatening leak:
added to the difficulty and danger
| The boys struggling at the oars, will
their feet in the water, accused tn.
almost exhausted bailer of slackins
on the job. He Indignantly denied the
| accusation and showed conclusivel,
that had he not kept busy with his
bailing the boat would have filled
| and sunk. He was so exasperateC
at their lack of appreciation Of his
strenuous and successful efforts h.
almost wished it had filled and sunk
Waves of new expenditure as q
result of new Legislation and continued
legitimate growth and development OF
Federal business have swept over the
economy boat and threatened to sink
it, but steady constant throwing over
Of waste and continual stopping Of
leaks have kept it afioat notwithstand
ing accommodating expenditures al
times have gained slightly. And we
are still bailing and plugging leaks.
''1n 1925 additional new financial
burdens were thrown on the executive
departments totaling $4,000, 900
which we absorbed, someway, some
how, with the exception of something
less than $15,000,000. Additional de-
mands for 1926 as against 1924 made
the alarming total of 1924 100000 and
tested our economy machinery to the
breaking point almost. We absorbed
all but $49.O00,000 Of that great
amount.
$59S,974,254 Surplus.
"In the face of these facts, readily
IN no h1o ia diH7RyrIf IN account
for statements that we are effecting no
economies. Such statements are made
and presumably made in all sincerity.
The man whose attention was called
to an enormous stuffed tarpon in a
glass case was doubtless sincere when
he said, The man who caught that
fish Is prevaricator.'
1.-THE last estimate for the current
year-made within a few days-prom-
ises a surplus of $59S,974, 254, to which
you have made generous contribution
with an expenditure brought down
and held down to $2,975 ,235, 050, which
is $73,000,000 less than we spent in
1924 and $25,000,000 less than our
So, 900, 100000 limit. This has been
effected, not only by curtailment Of
expenditures, but by stubbornly hold
ing the line and preventing increases.
And this year we have had to provide
additional millions for new needs
arising from conditions not suscepti-
BILE of administrative control.
"After these years Of struggle, after
these weary months of sacrifice and
striving, after weeks of deferred hope
and doleful days of defeated aspira-
lions, we have the coveted goal within
reach, we have the prize fairly won.
And copying the declaration of the
young man whose pride Of accomplish
ment was not fettered by rules OF
grammar, we can proudly blazon in
glowing words on the Haunting folds
of our triumphant banner the inspir-
ing legend, We seen ~our duty and
done it,
ST can conceive no possible contin-
gency that can rob us of our $4,000
O00, 900 victory this year, but we have
been so often repulsed, so frequently
disappointed Of our expected and well
earned triumph that at this time we
will content ourselves with just a
feeble cheer, reserving the rockets,
red fire and Roman candles to the
day when we can look back and say,
There it is! Look at it! They said
we couldn't do it. We have done it.
"The failure Of the second deficiency
bill of lamented memory aided us to
the extent of less than $20,000,000. We
would have won had that bill become
law.
Saving Of Personnel.
Gan important factor in this prom
Used victory is the Two Per Cent Per-
sonnet Club, which contributes a saw
ing i'm excess of $18,000,000 to the
inspiring result. With an average
annual turnover of about 8 per cent
of the personnel in the Federal execu-
tive civil service you were asked to
make a saving of not less than per
cent by letting per cent or more OF
these vacancies remain untitled. your
response demonstrated the practlca-
bility Of this device for reducing per-
sonnet costs, and furnished further
evidence of your earnest desire to take
advantage Of every opportunity Tor
economy. While the final record OF
this effective effort cannot be given
at this time, you can take pride In
knowing that indicated savings are
well in excess of $1S,000.0 900, and that,
with few exceptions, all the depart
ments and establishments qualified for
club membership.
"Shall this effective organization,
with a record of $1S,000,000 saved in
one year, be disbanded? Those in IA
vor say 'Aye.; opposed No! The
noes have it and the Two Per Cent
Personnel Club will continue its splen-
did work through the next fiscal year
for a twofold purpose-to effect need
ed savings and to afford our ambitious
administrators opportunity for real
constructive administration. Those
who won in 1927 will, of course, pride
fully strive to repeat their successes
the coming year. Those who for va
rious reasons failed to make the grade
will have another chance, which az
sumo they demand, to redeem them
selves in the year to come.
Bills Paid Promptly.
Another helpful factor this year
and by no means a negligible one, has
been the prompt settlement of our
bills for supplies, with resulting dis
count savings. When We last dis
cussed this subject a number of the
Federal agencies had failed to join the
prompt settlement and discount pro
cession. Today nearly all the Fedora
establishments have eQlisted. There Ii
very. gratifying effort throughout
the service to pay bills promptly anG
win discounts. The first 10 month:
of this year yielded. discount earning:
Of $3.50, S37.70. AT his rate the dis
counts for the year will exceed 1000,
900, which is approximately / per cen
of the amount spent in making direc
purchases Of supplies. Actual discoun
savings of record from the beginning
of our diScOunt drive I'm to and in