Some of the changes which, in the opinion of the commission, when fully installed would be for the benefit of the service are listed below: Economies to be realized from recommended changes in law or by Executive action supplemented by legislation.................... Centralization of the distribution of public documents (two reports).. The consolidation of the coast patrol and deep-sea rescue service (two reports).... The consolidation of the six auditors' offices.. $5, 979,000 242,000 1,100,000 100,000 The abolition of the Returns Office Change in methods of appointment... Change in methods pertaining to travel expenditures. 25,000 4,512, 000 (Indefinite) (Indefinite) Methods of preparing and submitting estimates and reports of ex penditures... (Indefinite) Economies to be realized as a result of Executive action alone........ 2,070, 815 Reports on the personnel of the service: Establishment of individual efficiency records.... (Indefinite) Report on the clerical personnel of the Department of Justice.. (Indefinite) (Indefinite) Accounting and reporting: Reports on accounting and reporting.. (Indefinite) Reports relating to office practices and equipment: 250,000 The use of photographic processes in copying printed and written The handling and filing of correspondence in the Mail and Record The handling and filing of correspondence in the Office of Chief of Final report on The Adjutant General's Office at Washington. The handling and filing of correspondence in the Mail and Record The handling of macerated currency. The handling of waste paper.. The lighting of Government buildings. Changes in methods of handling and filing of correspondence in (Indefinite) 18, 320 29,050 2,400 10,000 324, 075 19, 150 46,000 15, 820 100,000 106.000 150,000 branches of the service other than those specifically reported on. 1, 000, 000 While a much larger list of the reports do not contain definite estimates of savings, yet some of the recommendations contained therein, in the opinion of the commission, if acted on favorably, would result in economies much larger than others which carry such estimates. In each case it is thought by the commission that the economies which are definitely estimated can be realized without in any manner impairing the efficiency of the service, and in most cases the result would be very much to increase the efficiency with which the public business might be carried on. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the indirect results of many of the changes recommended would be to make possible economies largely in excess of the direct reductions in cost. STILL LARGER SAVINGS FOR WHICH NO ESTIMATES ARE MADE. For example: The recommended change in methods of appointment would take a large part of the officers of the Government out of local politics by making the personnel subject to central discipline and the pay of employees dependent on the efficiency with which service is rendered. This would doubtless result in many millions of savings each year other than those which will be directly assignable to the abolition of sinecures. Provision for the retirement of superannuated employees would favorably affect the esprit de corps of the entire personnel and would result in economies that are impossible so long as positions of importance are held by persons who would stand in the way of promotion of the more capable; the organization of the auditors' offices in such manner that the Government may have the benefit of a thorough audit of receipts and disbursements, and the reduction of the technique of audit to a uniform procedure, would doubtless add largely to Government revenues and at the same time enable officers to exercise a more effective control over expenditures; the installation of adequate efficiency records would enable officers to promote employees for merit and demote those who rely on personal influence; the readjustment of services so as to avoid duplication of work and plant, overlapping, and friction, would not only provide for more effective cooperation but also for the development of expertness that under present conditions is impossible. AN ILLUSTRATION OF CHARACTER OF REPORTS RENDERED. One of the most significant reports on office methods and procedure which has been submitted by the commission deals with The Adjutant General's Office of the War Department. Although as will appear from the foregoing list, the methods employed in a large number of offices have been investigated, this is the largest single office of which a detail study has been made. The present force of The Adjutant General's Office numbers 613, the aggregate salaries authorized to be paid are $758,570. Following the recommendations of the commission, this force would be reduced to 380 employees at an annual salary cost of $480,020. The changes recommended would result in a decrease of 233 in the number of employees and the decrease in the salary roll would be $278,550. Other recommendations having to do with stationery, printing, telegrams, cablegrams, etc., bring the total estimated annual saving up to $324,075. The character of the reports made by the commission and of the data on which recommendations have been based may be illustrated by further reference to the work done in this office. SECRETARY OF WAR THINKS RECOMMENDED REDUCTIONS CAN BE MADE WITHOUT DISCHARGE OF COMPETENT EMPLOYEES. With respect to the six offices in the Department of War reported on by the commission, the Secretary of War has stated in a written communication to the President that he not only agrees with the commission in its "essential recommendations," but that he has appointed two boards-one to carry out the recommendations of the |