MEMORANDUM ACCOMPANYING SPECIAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT TRANSMITTING THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY.

The annual report of the Commission on Economy and Efficiency contains a description of 110 subjects of work and report, the results of 21 months of work since its organization. Of these, 15 have been heretofore submitted as reports to Congress, 68 have been submitted as reports to the President or to heads of departments, and 27 are still in progress. The message of to-day transmits 11 other reports to Congress, making 26 all told which have been made available for publication.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE WITH THE 83 REPORTS SUBMITTED BY THE COMMISSION.

Of the 15 reports heretofore sent to Congress, 9 contain recommendations for organic legislation and 6 call for Executive action alone or are made available in this form for the information of both legislative and executive officers.

Of the 68 reports which have been submitted by the commission to the President and to heads of departments, and heretofore not sent to Congress, 4 contain recommendations for changes in organic law, 36 call for Executive action alone (or for Executive action supplemented by legislation which is not substantive in character); 28 were for the information of officers. In addition to the reports above described, 56 others have been rendered in response to requests for opinions of the commission relative to the technical aspects of constructive work in progress.

With respect to the 9 reports which have heretofore been sent to Congress recommending legislation, action has been taken on one, viz, the recommendation for the centralization of the distribution of publications. With respect to the 36 reports containing recommendations for Executive action alone (or for Executive action supplemented by legislation which is not substantive), Executive orders have been issued on 31 and 5 are still under consideration. With respect to the reports containing opinions on technical aspects of constructive work in progress, positive action has followed on all of them, except 7 which are still under consideration.

CHANGES RECOMMENDED WHICH CARRY ESTIMATED SAVINGS.

The changes recommended by the commission carry definite estimates of savings amounting to several millions of dollars per annum, beside other economies still larger in amount for which no definite estimates were made.