Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 45, Number 58, 19 January 1920 — Page 14

PAGE FOURTEEN

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM, MONDAY, JAN. 19, 1920.

Public Works1 Department

-..'..' ' Waste in

Urged to Stop Huge

Government Expenditures

In "Haw of the present agitation for' budget system for the handling of th4t United States' finances to eliminate the. terrific waste now. apparent, this article by Marshall- O. Leigh ton, chairman of - the National Public Works Department Association.; is teresting. - That t Association ' is . conducting a campaign, for the establishment of a national department of public works to systematize expenditures and eliminate -waste. EDITOR. By MARSHALL O. LEIGHTON. Ships always leak. The finest vessel afloat must , occasionally operate its bilge pumps. It is expected as a matter of course. .Water is always coming Into the ship.' while it is afloat, but " it : causes no alarm among the passengers and hardly any comment among the crew. . But let that leak increase in volume beyond a certain rate and it becomes the crucial featore of the - ship's ;;run. - Those who are aware of it are; greatly concerned. In like -manner, '' all ships of state leak, put the direction of the leakage is reversed. Money, for which there is no adequate return to the passengers and crew, seeps through the seams, even if .It, does not run out through open ports. No one takes p. thought so long as the taxpayer is net pinched to make good the loss. But, as in the case of a marine operation, there comes a time when the leakage becomes so great that the taxpayer; takes thought of his improvident ways, and begins to investigate and protest. Government Always . Wasteful. Our government has always been wasteful in the conduct of its business. This has not been' the result lof any wrongful intent. Throughout long period of years it has been Accepted by the majority and the ocrasions has been sporadic when much thought has been given to it. Wealth usually begets thoughlessfiesH to small wastes. So long as our bauk balance is large we are not likely to be .vigilant as to the price we pay. A teyt cents more per pound, a few dollars more per yard are paid without thought of hardship. And this was particularly true with respect to government expenditures when we lived under an indirect system of taxation. Waste of 10,000,000 by the government was hardly appreciated when spread over the price of 10,000,000 pounds of sugar, 10,000,000 pounds of wool, and millions of pounds of everything else we bought in the open market. But now our system of taxation Is direct. Every individual of more than nominal earning capacity is presented by the internal revenue office with a bill for bis share. And when our annual peace time budget runs up to $5,060,000,000, as presented by the secretary of the treasury a few days since, we begin to think about that leakage. We begin to look for open ports. That five billion dollar estimate will be pruned severely pruned. Tbat means that we must go. without some things that wise and prudent men think we need or that it would be to our advantage to have. Are we then so poor as all that? No one believes that we are, and yet our bill Is bo large that it pinches us to pay. The answer is. that we are paying too much for what we get. The appropriation's committee in congress will spend the greater part of their time for the next three or four months in pruning those estimates a laudible and necessary thing to do under the circumstances. But those hard-working men are saving at the spigot and wasting at the bung-hole. Our organization i asking them to do the obvious thing. Give the government a business-like' organization. Co-ordinate the functions so tbat the processes of government business shall dove-tail. Cut put the wastes and the duplications. Abolish the rivalry between the departments. We advocate a department of public work not merely to secure technical symmetry in our federal organization, desirable as that end may be. Our advocacy is in its essential features an attempt to close ' Eiome of those open ports. When this organization was set up

at Chicago I think that none of us

certainly not the . writer had an ade

quate idea of the scope of the move

ment. We saw a loose and inefficient

public works organization and divided and. sub-divided into many different

provinces. As technical men we

knew sow organically wrong that was. Of the wastes and inefficiencies we were well aware. With the necessity for a co-ordinated structure, by virtue of which the technical and semitechnical fields of the government could be rendered efficient and business-like we were profoundly impressed. But that our effort, our idea, our legislative bill would become the' cornerstone of a structure embodying efficiency in all departments of government we could hardly foresee. As an organization our effort is still focused on a department of publio works and that alone. But we realize that with

that principle established that example set reform in other provinces of government business activity will occur by the mere logic of events. 'We are pioneers.

Project Hits Everyone. This is the reason whv our nroiect

for - a department of public works strikes straight home to the business men,' the manufacturer, the contractor and the merchant. The technical men who met at Chicago last April to set up this organization built better than they knew; While the project retains all the virtues that appealed to us when

it was launched of technical excel

lence, of rational government organiza

tion, of economy and efficiency, we

now see that it teaches to national

and to business prosperity, to the fiscal

welfare of the nation, to the Individual

welfare of the productive business. We may as well recognize and admit the fact that individual initiative in America will not continue to be that spontaneous thing that It has been in the past if the rewards are to divided and a part of them are to be wasted iii the support pf a chaotic government business organization. The burdens of every business organization in the country are magnified by government business inefficiency. We want no good and proper thing to be withheld from our government nor in turn by our government. When the time comes for this country to be a $5,000,000,000 country we'll all turn out and pay the bill. But we want true consideration for our money. And in mild and respectful suggestion let me say to the political party

leaders of the country that the voter

who goes to the polls in the future will be thinking more about the size of

that annual bill from the internal revenue office and of what the country is getting for it than he will of almost any other national issue a sordid Impulse perhaps, but very human and very certain and sure. League of Nations Office Force Is Down to Work PARIS, Jan. 19 The league of nations is housed not far from the American embassy in Rue Pauquet, where a considerable staff has been at work since the league entered into being officially three days ago. Its work, however, is still confined to organization, as the only act of the league council at its first meeting was to appoint members of the Sarre valley boundary commission which is not under the league's control. It is understood that by a strict interpretation of the Versailles treaty the boundary commission will be under the direct supervision of "Paap" which is an abbreviation used by the league's staff.

Bill Don't Need to Wait

Summer ; Mink Drops 5 3-4 , Pound Bass for Him 1 "Bill" Patton, fisherman of Morton lake, is the hero of a winter fish yarn that beats most of the spring and summer ones. . He hunts mink during the winter, and according to report, - saw a big one run across the ice, the other day, with a fish in its numth. He chased the pair. The mink, scared, dropped the fish, which flopped ori the ice, and

Bill picked it up, although the mink got away. It was a bass, weighing 5 pounds and Bill sold it. to a local meat shop for $2. Now, you summer fishermen, go back and sit down.

NEW DISORDERS REPORTED FROM AGRICULTURAL STRIKE (By Associated Press) . BUENOS AIRES. Jan. 19. New disorders as a result of . agricultural workers' strikes are reported in dispatches from Santa Fe province to La Epoca, the government organ. Police

chiefs at Firmat and Rafael - were slain during attempts to round up disorderly elements. Dispatches say that the disorders are directed from this city where it is said an "organization, the sole purpose of which is to provoke unrest in the Interior of the republic" is maintainor M.nv o-ot.

J have been made.

Artistic New Ring Designing New interest has been injected into our stock of rings because of the wonderfully pretty designs now made in white gold. Many of these are beautiful and entire ly unique. DIAMOND MOUNTINGS We are remounting many beautiful diamonds for our customers In way that makes the rings more attractive and shows the stones to better advantage. Let us show you how to improve your diamorvl jewelry.

HANER'S STORE 810 Main Street

f3fcCMCW

SOCIALISTS RESIGN . (By Associated Press) COPENHAGEN, Jan. 19. Socialist members of the Hungarian government have resigned after threats from Paul G arum I, former minister of commerce, and other Socialists resident in Vienna that they would be expelled

from the international Socialist or

ganization if they remained in office, according tp Buda Pest news. M. Garami, it is 6aid, believes the entente will not negotiate a peace with Hun

gary with a government such as would

result from the resignation of the Socialists.

?u.

When Comparison is the Sincerest Form of Flattery anything is good enough until something comes along that's better. A good imitation pearl gains

admiration until compared with the genuine. Then the difference is readily seen. : Likewise with phonographs. The market is flooded with many makes. Extravagant claims of performance run riotous. By the. expertly trained musical ear, however, quality is quickly detected. To the average buyer only comparisons will tell. Compare the Brunswick Phonograph with other makes, and its superiority is noted immediately. Come in today for demonstration.

TUESDAY ONLY Early June Peas 2 for 25c - AT TRACY'S

Stanley, Earlham Grad, WittTalkonY.M.CA.

Rupert Stanley, for four years secretary of Y. M. C A. work in China, will address a meeting of Richmond persons interested in the foreign work of the Y. M. C A. at a meeting in the

DAYTON BICYCLES The Wheel Man E. S. SMITH 426 Main. Phone 1806

local association building FrtdaJi night. " " " " Mr. Stanley, is well known In Rich, mond, having graduated from Earlham college. He was , quite prominent ln athletics, receiving four letter. Hav-t ing spent tour years in China, he ia well qualified. ' ! jt

STAR VIBRATORS The perfect ' massage machine . 95.00 A. G. LUKEN & CO.

Qur delicious C h o c o 1 a te Peppermint PATTIES have ' no equal for your parties, receptions or afternoon , teas. We always carry a large stock. Don't forget to inv elude them with the confections : for your next affair.

Our Silk and Dress Goods Department is Already Taking on An EARLY SPRING APPEARA NGE

and offering a number of new and choice things for early buyers.

Foulard Silks Will be better this season than ever. We carry the celebrated Dupleau Foulards, the best line made ; 25 or more designs now on display at, (JQ 7P yard f&O I O

Direct from Japan J ust opened large shipment genuine Jap Silk, white and natural, 33 and 36 inches wide. Price range, a yard $1.75 to $3.75

Silk Shirtings Are better than ever before and we are prepared. From $2.50 to $5.00 a yard is the price, and the styles are exquisite.

Wool Jersey Cloth Is scarce but very desirable; 54 inches wide, assorted shades at, dCT A A yard OeUU

SEE WEST WINDOW FOR A SHOWING i OF SOME OF THE NEW THINGS

While we have carefully avoided the use of the old thread-bare pjhrase "Clearance Sale", we have made startling sacrifices in every department. Both first, and second floors have some desirable merchandise that must be sold next' week, as the week after we invoice. We can save you money next week.

LEE B. N USB AUM COMPANY

AtFeltman's

5 E M I - ANN UAL

Literally thousands have attended the first four days of this sale and as many thousands have gone away satisfied that they have obtained the greatest bargain in shoes ever before offered in Richmond. This week we anticipate the heaviest volume of business ever done in this store. Our advice to you, if you wish to avail yourself of this remarkable low price, is SHOP EARLY! Don't wait till the last of the week. The selections are still complete.

Shoes for Ladies'

One lot Brown Calf Vamps, with fawn cloth tops; this includes $6.00, $6.50, $7.00 and $7.50 values, now

$395

Beaver Brown or Black 'Suede Shoes, the " very best. J.- & K. make - -

$13.45

All-Leather Gray Boot, leather Louis heels and plain toe, $12.00 value at

$585

Ladies High Top Skating Boot

SPECIAL 12-inch top. lace, good soles; while they last $3.95

Growing Girls9 Special Black Calf, English, narrow or medium toe, good oak soles, prices at . $5.35 and $4.45

BIG DISCOUNT ON ALL MISSES' AND CHILDREN'S SHOES

Shoes for Men

Wi

Full stock Calf English, long receding toe, either light, or dark

$895

Oil Grain Blucher, brown, Neolin soles; an ideal work shoe

$445

Black or brown Calf Blucher, medium toe, welt sewed soles

$495

fl

Feltman's Tramp Last, black kid or calf; Police Special, one-half double soles; cork filler

$585

All Boys Shoes at Big Reductions

Big Reductions on Men's Work Shoes

U. S. Army Hip Boots Only a few left These are the genuine Army Boot; first grade, snag-proof vamp, with double knee. While they last

$4.0.0

Feltman 's Shoe Store The World's Largest Shoe Dealers 18 STORES 724 MAIN ST.