Evening star., 1942-06-13
Cut in Paper Work
Reported Saving u. 5.
S1,250,000 a Year
Budget Chief Declares
Drive on Red Tape
Will Be Pressed

A campaign to cut down on paper
work" in the Government has pro-
duced savings estimated in excess of
s1,250,000 on an annual basis, ac-
cording to Budget Director Harold
D. Smith.
Mr.. Smith summarized the results
Of the effort last night in a state
ment in which he said $500 900
pounds of paper had been saved, and
added that the monetary saving does
not include in many instances the
cost Of services for duplicating and
printing and, even more impor-
tant. the vast amount of admins
trative detail which has been elm
mated"
Such an item as cutting the num-
Der of carbon copies to bare neces-
sity greatly reduces the routing. in
itialing and needless red tape he
continued. The study on this sub
ject has been extremely thorough
and practically all agencies of the
Government are now making a
minimum of such copies"
President Urges Checkups.
The budget directors statement
came after President Roosevelt had
said he believed all Government
establishments should check on
their paper work annually to see
what savings could be made.
This view was expressed at a
press conference when the President
was asked for an opinion on the
recent order of Secretary of the
Navy Knox directing Navy De-
partment division heads to elm
mate red tape and paper work
where possible The Navy Secretary
also held out the promise of promo
ton to officials showing accom-
plishment in this direction, and
while this particular feature also
was brought to the Presidents at
tention, he made no direct refer
ence to it.
Budget Director Smith said that
An order of March 81 directing the
several agencies to curtail printing,
processing and duplicating and re-
duce distribution, was responsible
for the present savings showing
Regular reports and checkups will
be required, he explained, adding
that this is not a transient paper
conservation campaign but step
in the constant effort to improve
administration by eliminating un-
essential programs and cutting red
tape"
Printing of Reports Cut.
Mr.. Smith said most agencies are
eliminating the actual printing of
their annual reports. and that pend
ing legislation sponsored by the
House Committee on Expenditures.
to authorize the discontinuance of
certain reports now made to the
President and Congress would make
additional savings possible. A study
made by the Budget Bureau was
the basis for the House Committee
proposal.
Numerous Government publica-
tions nave been eliminated or cur
tailed under the present program
Mr.. Smith said Public Roads. for
example, formerly monthly pub
lication Of the Public Roads Ad-
ministration, has been made quar-
terly of the same size and circula-
ton. The Postal Guide for the use
OF postmasters will be sent out every
two years instead of annually. The
Postal Bulletin. formerly a daily
publication, will be issued three
times a week. Reclamation Era.
monthly magazine formerly pub
lished by the Department Of the
Interior, has been eliminated for
the duration of the war. Many
other Government agencies are
making similar curtailments or
eliminations."
The War Department, Mr.. Smith
said, shows the largest savings of
Sl80,000, of which sl06000 was
through eliminations. The Depart
ment of Agriculture reports total
savings of S177,422 The Depart
ment of Commerce total was $685.
653. Other agencies all reported
substantial savings.