Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, April 5, 1912, Page 9

bin Pages Nine to Twelve MILLIONS OF PUBLIC FUNDS CAN BE SAVED President Taft Sends Second Statement 1o Congress Regarding Work of the Special Gommission Expresses His Approval of the Changes Recommended and Suggests the Statutory Amendments Necessary to Carry Them Qut—Sees Increased Efficiency as Well as Econ- omy in Proposed Legislation—Urges Further Appro- priation to Carry on the Commission’s Work. To the Semate and House of Repre- sentatives: On the 17th of January last I sent a mesgage to the congress deseribing the work of the commission appointed by me under authority of the acts of June 25, 1810, and March 3, 1911, granting appropriations to enable me to inquire into the methods of transacting the public business of the various execu- tive departments and other govern- ments! establishments and to make re- port as to improved efficiency and greater economy to be obtained in the expenditure of money for the mainte- nance of the government. By way of illustrating the utility of the commis- #lon and the work which they were engaged upon I referred to a nmumber of reports which they had flled, recom- mending changes in organization of ihe departments and bureaus of the Sovernment, the avoidance of duplica- tion of functions and services and the Installation of labor saving devices and improved office methods. All of the recommendations looked to savings of eonsiderable amounts. With the mes- wage of Feb. 5, 1912, I transmitted to the eongress the reports on the central- fzation of distribution of government documeats, on the use of window en- iwelopes and on the use of a photo- graphic process for copying records. A number of the reports of the com- anisslon had not then been commented on by the heads of the departments that would be affected by the changes recommended, and therefore I did not feel justified at that time in recom- amending to the congress the statutory amendments necessary to carry out the #ecomimendations of the commission. @ince then, however, I have received the recommendations of the heads of departments, and I transmit this mes- mage for the purpose of expressing my mpproval of the changes recommended oy the eommission and of laying be- fore the congress the reports prepared {by the eommission. Loond Offices Should Be in the Classi- fied Service—Postoffices. X have several times called attention ko the advantages to be derived from placing in the classified service the lo- cal officers under the departments of the treasury, of the postoffice, of jus- tice, of the interior and of commerce and labor. In my message submitted #o the congress on Jan. 17 1 referred io the loss occasioned to the govern- iment because of the fact that in many ceses two persons are paid for doing work that could easily be done by one. in the meantime I have caused an in- quiry to be madh as to the amount in money of this loss. The results of this Inquiry are that the loss amounts to at feast $10,000,000 annually. For exam- ple, it appears that a very substantial seonomy would result from putting ex- perienced and trained officers in charge of the first and second class postoffices instead of seleciing the postmasters in mocordance with the present practice. 'As the annual operating expenses of the first and second class offices aggre- gate the enormous sum of meore than 1$80,000,000, umdoubtedly if the post- masters of these offices were embraced ia the classified service and required to devote all their time to the public sery- fce the annual savings would eventu- aily represent many millions of dollars. The saving in salaries alone, not taking into account any saving due to increas- ed efficiency of operation, would amount 1o absiit $4,500,000. At the present time the salaries of postmas- ters of the first and second class amount to $5,076,900. while the salaries of assistaat postmasters of the same elasses amount to $2,820,000. If the g)flifion of postmester were placed in e classified service and those officers were given salaries equal to 20 per cent more than the salarieg now given to the assiztant postmasters, the latter position being no longer required, there would be a saving in salaries to the government of $4,512,000. In the case @ postmasters at offices of the third elass a large annual saving could be made. Pension Agencies, An annual saving of nearly $62,000 eould be made if the position of pen- sfon agent were placed in the classified service, since. the work now donme by a pension sgent at a salary of $4,000 and a chief clerk at a salary ranging between $1,400 and $2,250 could easily be done by one person in the perma- nent classified service at a salary vary- ing from $2,100 to $3,000. Greater reconomy and efficiency would result | from the abolition of the pension agen- cies and from the adoption of a plan fn accordance with which pensions would be paid by the pension office {n ‘Washington. District Land Offices. ‘What is frue in the matter of pay- ment of pensious 1s also true in the service under the general land office. The field service of this office could be more efficiently and economically oper- ated if it were provided by law that the office of receiver of district land offices be abolished and the duties transferred to the register, assisted by & bonded clerk and the register placed | in the ciassified service. It has several times been estimated that more than $200,000 would be saved annually and the efficiency of the service greatly iu. creased by the adoption of such a plan. internal Revenue and Customs Offices. aries of political appointees in ‘ ternal revenue and custom In both services a direct sav’ aries and an indirect econom increased efficiency would transfer of such offices to the ciu. service. Other Local Offices. In the other fleld services the saving which would result from the classifica- tion of the local officers under the de- partments ig not as marked or prob- ably capabie of as exact estimation as in those mentioned, but there i= ne doubt that substantial savings would follow. It is not to be doubted that where po saving would result the classification of the local officers would increase the efficiency of the service. It would be desirable also to place all marshals, deputy marshals and assistant attorneys in the classi- fled service, although but little direct economy would result. Supervising inspectors in the steamboat inspection service and the members of the field service in the bureau of fisheries should be placed in the classified service. Commiseion’s Report on Leocal Offices. The report on methods of appoint- ment submitted to me by the commis- sion, which covers fully the subject of appointments by the president by and with the advice and consent of the sen- ate and recommends that various local officers, such as postmasters, collectors of internal revenue, etc.. and heads of bureaus in the departmental service, be included in the classified service, is transmitted Aerew!th (appendix No. 1). The report and recommendstions are approved by me. Legislation Needed to Establish the Merit System. 1u the interest of an efficient and eco- nomical administration of the vast business of the government I urge the neceseity for the inauguration of this important reform and recommend that the necessary amendments be' made to the lawg governing appointments, such amendments to take effect not later than July 1, 1913, so that there may be secured to the people the benefits to be derived from a conduct of their affairs by officers selected on a merit basis and devoting their time and talents solely to the duties of their offices. Consclidation of Lighthouse and Life Saving Services. The commission’s report (appendi No. 2) recommends that the It ing service of the department of treasury be discontinued as a & organization. and that the mai and operatiom of the life savi tions of the country be made one « duties of the bureau of li the departmegt of commerce : I coucur in this recommen urge that the necessary leg carrying it imto effect be enacted. Both of these servic re organi and maintained for the same gene purpose—the protection of life and property endangered along the coasts and other navigable waters. Both maintain stations along the coast, which are located for the most part in close proximity. Both have suhb- stantially the same business problems to meet in locating, constructing and maintaiming these stations; in recruit- ing the personnel, in manufacturing or purchasing equipment; in purchasing, housing in depots and distributing sup- plies; in operating a fleld inspection service, in maintaining telephonic and other means of communication, in dls- bursing funds, in keeping proper books of accounts and in rendering reports showing financiul and other transae- tlons. The maintenance of two sep- arate services, as at present, means a duplication of organization in respect to all of these operations. The ree- ommendation of the commission doas not contemplate any essential change in the work of the life saving stations. It is for the transfer of the business management of these institutions to the bureau of lighthouses. That bu- reav, being fully organized for the ad- ministration of stations of this char- acter, will be able to direct and man- age these stations with comparatively little addition to its present force and equipment. The commission estimates that, in addition to the advantage that will be obalned through having these two services operated by the same or- ganization, a direct economy wiil be secured of at least $100,000 annually and that the saving will greatly ex- ceed this sum after the first year, Revenue Cutter Service, The report of the commission on the revenue cutter service (appendix Ne. 8) mepresents a detailed investigation of the history, organization and. activi- tles of this branch of the government service and Its relations to other gerv- ices. The conclusion is reached that all of the duties now being performed by this service can be performed with equal efficlency by other services and that a great economy will result by having these duties so performed. The commirsion accordingly recommends £ay 2] M« 'flwxm S, ST that the service be abolis #d as a dis- tinet organimation, that its equipment be distributed among other services fequiring the use of marine craft and that provision be made for the per- formance of the work siow being done by it by such other services. ‘With these fundamental recommen- dations of the commission I am in full accord, and I recommend that the nec- essary action be enacted to put them iuto_effect. At the present time the revenue cut- ter service is organized as a naval es- tablishment. The country is in effect malntaining two navies and is using one of these navies for the perform- ance, of duties of a eivil character. The maintenance of two separate na- val establishments entalls unnecessary expense and Is not In the interest of either efficlency or economy., Im so far as the dutles of the revenue cutter service are of & naval charactet or are such as can readily be performed by the regular naval establishment, they | shouid be performed by such estab- Large expenditures are made for snl- ! lishment; in so far as they are of n v civil character, use should be of services organized and con- ed upoen a civil basis. n respect to the disiribution of the cquipment and duties of the revenue cutter service among other branches of the government, the recommenda- tion of the commission looks to the transfer to the navy department of the vessels which are adapted to deep sea cruising and the discharge by the naval establishment of most of the du- tles now performed by the revenue cutter service upon the high seas. In memoranda submitted on the report of the commission, copies of which are submitted with such report, on the one hand the secretary of the navy raises the question as to whether these duties can be performed by the pege- lar naval establishment withont de- tracting from its military efliciency. while on the other hand the secretary of commerce and labor ralses the question whether certain of these du- ties cannot be performed by the light- house service if that service is provid- ed with vessels sultable for the pur- pose. In view of ibese suggestions I rec- ommend that in the enactment of leg- islation providing for the abolition of the revenue cutter service provision be made for the transfer of all the ves- pels and equipment of the revenue cut- ter service from the treasury depart- ment to the department of commerce and labor; that the secretary of com- o merce and labor be directed to assign ! such vesseis and equipment to the lighthouse establishment, bureau of fisheries and other services under his Jurisdiction requiring the use of ves- #els as, in his judgment, is for the best interest of the public service, and that authority be given to him to turn over to the navy such vessels ns he may find upon investigation not to be re- quired by his department and which by their character are fitted to serve as useful auxiliaries to'the naval es- tablishment. In thus recommending that the reve- nue cutter service as a separate estab- lishment be abolished I dezire to make plain that such action does not carry with it the discontinuance of the rem- dering of any valuable and proper | service now being rendered by that or- ganization, On the contrary, I am per- suaded that all such services will con- tinue to be performed under the sys- tem recommended by me with equal | or greater efficiency. It should be noted that the adoption ! | of the recommendation here made will resuit in bringilng under one general administration all of the work of the government having to do with the pro- tection of life and property at ses.| This will result not only in greatly in- creased efficlency, but in a large sav- ing. The lighthouse establishment s compelled by the nature of the work | to maintain and operate a large fleet of vessels and supplementary ad- ministrative divisions, depots, inspec- tion services, etc., to attend to mat- ters pertaining to their business man- agement. It is thus fully prepared to take over and operate the additional vessels that may be assigned to it and to perform the additional duties with which it may be intrusted at an added | expense that will be small in compari son with that now entalled in mair taining an independent service on military basis. A further benefit of no little impo tance that will also be secured w that of relieving the department of treasury of duties which in ways germane to the primary fun of that department. The Conseclidation of Auditing Office | The report npon the organ 1 methods of work of the account fices of the treasury (appendix N recommends that the offices of the auditors be congolidated under one ditor and that the auditors of cust accounnts located at the principal and known as naval officers be n ussistants to the auditors. An incre. in the efficiency of the treasury au will be one resnlt of the carry of these recommendations, and the ing of expense when the consolid has been fully completed will amo., to at least $200,000 a year, based v} current appropriations. The present genigftion, under which six indepe: ent auditors are engaged in the o work of final audit of the governme tica ef that office and that prevision for public inspection of government contracts be made through the office of the auditors of the treasury in which offices the originals of all contracts are filed. It also recommends the substi- tution of e certificate for the afidavit required fo be attached to the contracts .of the departments of war, the navy and the interior and an amendment of the statute which now requires all the contracts of those departments to be in writing. I transmit letters from the secretaries of the departments re- ferred to, concurring in the conclusions and recommendations of the commis- slon. I approve the report and com- mend it to the favorable consideration of the congress. Government Expenses For Travel. The report upon “iravel expendi- tures” of officers and employees of the government (app‘mdlx No. 6) presents @ view of existing conditions that can lead to but one conclusion—that under the existing laws and regulations and practices pursuant thereto the allow: ances for travel are as varied as there are executive departments. The same classes of officers and employees are receiving @ifferent rates of allow- ances, depending only upon the depart- ment or bureau in which they are em- ployed. Under similar conditions there should be uniformity. The report rec- ommends that all allowances in the form of mileage be discontinued and that actual cost of transportation be paid; that in leu of payment of actual cost of other expenses, commonly known as subsistence, which would include lodging, a scale of per diem allowances be established by the presi- dent for the several classes of officers and employees. It is also recommend- ed by the commisslon that all ac- counts for reimbursement of travel- ing expenses shall be certified as to eorrectness in lieu of the requirement of law in many cases that the verifica- tion be by affidavit. The latter pro- eedure is troublesome and expensive, and the penalty for a false certifica- tion is fully as valuable in its deter- rent effect as the penalty for making a false affidavit. ‘With the report are the comments of the war and the navy departments, made at my request. The report of the commission has my approval, and the suggestions therein for a change in the law on the subject are submitted with a request for action in accordance therewith. Handling and Filing of Correspondence. The handling and filing of corre- spondence constitute one of the bus}- ness processes of the government to which, as pointed out in my message of Jan. 17, the commission has paid especial attention. The investigations of existing conditlons have brought out | clearly that in many cases present | methods are inefficient and entail large, | unnecessary costs. The features of | present practices which stand out most | prominently as entailing large, unnec- essary labor and expense pertain to 1 the briefing, press copying and record- { Ing and indexing of communiecations. | A statement has been prepared giving | the results of an investigation of the salary cost entailed in performing these operations in the several depart- ments at Washington. It is the opin- jon of the commission that the opera- | tions of briefilng and press copying letters can be entirely eliminated and that the recording and indexing of in- coming and outgoing letters can be re- duced at least 50 per cent. Though the commission ir making independent luvestigations of methods followed in handling and filing corre- spondence in certain bureaus and serv- ices, the results of which will be em- bodied in reports describing such methods, pointing out wherein they are defective and recommending changes to make them conform to the most approved practices, the general polley pursued is that of working in close co-operation with the depart- ments and services through the means of joint committees. To the end that these committees might all work as nearly as possible along uniform lines and that the departments and estab- lishments might have before them the | conclusions reached by the commis- slon relative to fundamental prinel- ples and the best practices in respect to the performance of this class of work, the commission has prepared and I have sent to the heads of de- partments & memorandum setting forth the principles which should gov- ing of correspondence. This memoran- dum also contains suggestions for the uge of labor saving devices In prepar- ing and malling letters. I am trans- mitting herewith a copy of this mem- orandum (appendix No. 7). On the basis of this memorandum ac- tive efforts are now being made in all of the departments for the improve- ment of the methods of handling and iiling of correspondence. These efforts have resulted in radical changes in ex- isting methods and the effecting of large economies, The flat filling sys- tem has been substituted for the old cumbrous folded and indorsement sys- tem. Carbon copies of letters have been #ubstituted for press copies, The brief- ing of documents has been entirely discontinued in a number of services, and in others the maintenance of book records of ingaming and outgoing com- munications has been discontinued. The effort is being made to make cor- respondence files self indexing and thus avold the necessity for making and using secondary flling devices. This work can only be intelligently prosecuted as the result of painstaking accounts, is eertainly one that can pi duce only diversity of practice and ;v cedure, inefficient use of personnel 1 equipment and delay and uncertai: of requirements from which the pu! a8 well as officers of the governu:: must suffer. In my opimion a change in law ! carry into effect these recomm tions of the commission which L my approval will be in the interes: « ihe public service. The Returns Office. The report upen the “returns ofiice of the department of the interior (o) pendix Neo. 5) recommends the aboi and detail investigation of the apecial conditions to be met in each particu- lar service. Many months will there- fore be required to carry out this work throughout the entire government, Tt is of the utmost impertanes that the work shon'd be prosecuted under a general supervision or direction sueh as is furnished by the present commis- sion. Distribution of Gevernment Decuments. Attention is called to the report of the éommission transmitted to the con- greas with my message of Feb. § and to the supplementary statement sent ern in the matter of handling and fil- | herewith {appendix No. 8) on the cen- tralization of distribution of govern- ment publications. By adopting this recommendation it is conservatively estimated that $242,000 can be saved. This is exclusive of the saving which could be made by handling the con- gressional documents in the same man. ner. An account kept for thirty-one days with the volume of this business of handling congressional documents showed an average of twenty-one tors per day. These documents were first taken from the printing office to the capitol, then from the capitol to the postoffice, then hauled back to thne Union station, the latter being but a ghort distance from the printing office. An up to date plant at the printing office which could handle all this would entail an increased capital outlay for permanent equipment of only about $75,000. The recommendatton for cen- tralizing the disiribution of documents from the degartments, if acted on, will affect the appropriations of seven de- partments, five independent establish- ments and the Washington postoffice. I may say in connection with this report and recommendation that the house of representatives, in passing the agricultural appropriation bill for the fiscal year 1913, instead of reduc- ing the cost of distributing govern- ment publications in the department of agriculture by $137,000, has increas. ed to the extent of $13,260 the amount appropriated for salaries for the divi- slon of publications over the appropri- ation for the current year. bullinu of Organizatien, The outlines of organization of the government, which were transmitted with the message of Jan. 17, have been sent to each of the departments with a request that orders issue which will require that the outline be kept up to date (appendix No. §). This will not only make available at all times the in- formation needed by congress or the administration when called for and as- sist materlally in the preparation of es- timates of appropriations, but will make unnecessary the publieation of the official register, thereby saving ap- proximately $45,000 for each issue. Conelusion. In submitting these reports, with rec- ommen_dltlum, I will state that in my opinion each of the foregoing recom- mendations, if acted on, will contribute largely to increase efficiency. Direct- Iy and indirectly the changes proposed “will result in the saving of many mil- lions of dollars of public funds. This will leave the congress free to deter- mine whether the amount thus saved shall be utilized to reduce taxation or to provide funds with which to extend activities already carried on and to enter on beneficial projects which oth- GOLD DUST makes clean, healthy homes , old Dust acts like magic on dirty floors, doors and wood- work. You do not have to bend until your poor back is nearly breaking in an effort to scour and scrub away the dirt. Add a heaping teaspoonful of Gold Dust to a pail of water and the Gold Dust Twins will do the rest. Gold Dust makes floors and doors spotlessly white. It searches out dirt, germs and impurities from every crack and crevice. Gold Dust makes home—"‘sweet” home. Save your strength by calling Gold Dust to your aid. Gold Dust is sold in 6C size and large pack- ages. The large package means greater economy. ““Let the GOLD DUST TWINS do your werk™ SPRING Entered the arena in Winter Raiment clad. There Is surely considerable cold weather still to come. March winds are mighty winds, and April days are not the rare and perfect days of “Sunkist” rose garlanded Junme. The price of coal is salling to dizzy heights, Get a “VULCAN" or “REZNOR odor- less GAS RADIATOR. They turn cold to comfort, are reasonable in price, eco- nomical in gas consumption. You will proclaim it the wisest investment you ever made. Crane's Latest Gas Toaster, “Sta- tite” Gas Tubing, Rotary Tank Heat- ers, the famous “Ruud” Instantancous ‘Water Heater and the latest models of erwise could not be undertaken for lack of funde. Again I urge upon the congress the desirabllity of providing whatever funds can be used effectively to carry forward with all possible vigor the work now well begun. The $200,000 required for the prosecution of the in quiry during the ensuing year and the $50,000 estimated for the publication of resunlts are inconsiderable in com- parison with the economies which can be realized. WILLIAM H. TAFT. The White ¥ouse, April 4, 1912, DARKENS GRAY HAIR. Scalp Tonic Gives Color and Beauty to the Hair. Safe You don’t have to have gray hair or faded hair if you don’t want to. Why look old or unattractive? If your hair is gray or faded, you can change it | easily, quickly and effectively by using Wyeth's Sage and Sulphur Hair Remedy. Apply a little tonight, and In the morning you will be agreeably sur- | prised at the results from a single application, The gray hairs will be less conspicuous, and after a few more ations wili be restored to natural Wyeth's Sage and Sulphur also quick- 1y removes dandruff, leaves the scalp cle: and healthy, and promotes the growth of the halr. wholesome dressing which ma at any time wi Get ifty c dru will be used h perfect safety. t bottle from nd see how e youthful beauty of your hair and fore the nasty dandruff, hot, It ¥ and falling hair. All druggists it under guarantee that the money will be refunded if von are not satisfled after fair trial, Agent The Lee & Os- good Co. ‘ 1647 ' Adam’s Tavern | 1861 offer to the public the finest standari brands of Bee: of Europe and America, Bohemian, Plisner, Culmbach Bavarian Beer, Bass Pale and Burton, Mueirs Beotch Ale, Guinness’ Dublin Stout, C. & C. imported Ginger Ale, Bunkes ing Ale, Sterling Biiter Ale, Anheuser Budwelszr, Schiitz and Pabst A. A. ADAM, Nerwich Town. Telephone $47-12. Advice to Mothers Have you bad baby’s photograph taken 7 7. It's an art to take' babyia phote- raph ws it should be taken.'Yo catch is roguish little smile, his pretty little dimple, Such photograps become prized remembrances of babyhood's days in years to come. We have had years of experlence in photozraphing children. hey always look thelr best when we ‘ake them. No troublesome posing. Snap them In a jiffy. \ LAIGHTON, The Photographer, Opposite Nerwich Savinzs Soclety. NEW LINE of FALL DRESS GOODS direct from mills at very low prices, Asvertment lengths of all kinde. Cotton Goods and Silks at Half Prices MiLL, REMNANT STORG JOHN BLOOM, Prop. 171 W. Main 8t. — THHERE 1s ne advertist edium Pastern Connestieut ual.l‘. to‘m:q ln'l.- letin for business lfl‘l&h It is a clean, | HIill P. B. Ale, Frank Jones' Nourish- | 1912 Gas Ranges are among the good things we will gladly show you. Gas & Electrical Dep't, Alice Building, 321 Main Street Easter Novelties | Easter Booklsts, Post Cards, Novel- | ties, Chicks, Ducks, Eaggs, Napkine, Crepe Paper, Banners, Flowers, Frult, | and Favor Baskets, Papor Flowars, ete. WS, EOWIN Fai, trankim Square 10 Gars: More | We have just got the room | week to take in ten cars for | hauling and repainting. Better have it dons now rather than | wait till later when the rush Is on, | We do this work, all branches of it, | painting, trimming, et¢, in & first« | class manner, our prices Leing consist- Jent with good work. Scott & Clark Corp | Tel. 697 Greeneville DOG COLLARS WHIPS and LEADS at lowest prices at this over- | The Shetucket Harnass Co., 321 Main Street, CONTRACT WORK I am in a position to 1”. you the moat for your money in this line, Low estimates, prompt and carefu] attentian to all the detalls which go to make & first class job. RIGHT NOwW 18 a good time to take mp matter of hnudlnf or any outside work you may need, want your business and will appreclates it by giving you the very best work at the lowest price com= slstent with the same. the STEP IN my office and let me tell you some of tha johs I have completed this vicinlty, and satisfled customers. C. M. WILLIAMS, Tel 370, 216 Ma Himeat, WESTERLY HOUSE. Ales, Wines nnd Iiquers always In stock. Lnnehes served free €very Saturday evening. JOHN G. KENYON & Co., Jan28d Proprietors, > JEWETT CITY HOTEL New and Up-te-date in every partioulan IRA F. LEWIS. Proarister, L4