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March, 1910 inquiries are set on foot. It is a mat- ter of common knowledge amongst 'those familiar with shipping and_ ship- building and even within the depart- ment itself, and we have knowledge of dozens of credible witnesses whose tes- timony cannot be gainsaid, both within and without the department, who would gadly avail themselves of the oppor- tunity to tell what they know. INVESTIGATING THE GOVERN- MENT'S BUSINESS METHODS. A. short examination made by com- petent persons in the two bureaus of one of the great departments of the government discloses the fact that the adoption of business' methods would save 20 per cent of the expenditures and at the same time increase the efficiency of the service. There is no intelligent observer in congress or out of it who does not know that the ex- ecutive departments of this government are carried on either under obsolete business methods or without business methods at all. There is no man who has given the subject any attention whatever who does not know or believe that at least 10 per cent of the $1,000,- 000,000, which we are appropriating an- nually, can be saved by the adoption of . business methods. * Ok Ok O* _ We have not only obsolete methods in. all of the departments, but we have in them duplication of bureau after bureau. * * *K * If I were a business man and could be permitted to do it, I would under- take to run this government for $300,- 000,000 less a year than it is now run for. I tell you, gentlemen, this investi- 'gation ought to be made by somebody. I will say that this movement has the hearty and earnest support and co-op- eration of the president of the United States, who appreciates, as we do, the importance of having these methods ex- amined and corrected and reformed, if - possible. In these Senator Aldrich brought to the attention of the senate the necessity for the appointment of a words, commission to investigate the business methods of the government. It was a pretty hot shot and it certainly stirred things up amazingly. All that was said is doubtless true and more besides. . Abundant evidence has been adduced to prove the shameless waste of money. The Naval Waste recently Take the navy department alone. articles on the concluded in our columns showed how foolishly and extravagantly money was squandered; and what is true of the navy department is true of all other branches of the government. TAE Marine. REVIEW Senator Aldrich was well within the mark when he stated that $100,000,000 could readily be saved by the adoption of business methods and that a capable business man could operate the govern-. ment for $300,000,000 less than it is now costing. The bill as originally drawn provided for the appointment of a com- mission of nine members, three from the senate, three from the house and three from civil life, the latter to be appointed by the president. As there was opposition to this combination of the legislative and executive ends, Sen- ator Aldrich proposed to modify the bill to provide: for a commission of ten members, five from the senate and five from the house. It is known that this investigation is in line with the president's wishes as he has already indicated to his cab- inet that ,retrenchment is in order and has asked for revised and reduced esti- mates. We presume that there are ten men in congress who are competent to intel- ligently inquire into the business meth- ods pursued by the various departments and to recommend effective remedies. We could put our hands, however, upon ten men in civil life who could do the job and it would be cheap at $300,000, which is the sum that the proposed in- vestigation is expected to cost. POWER BOAT RACE THROUGH NIAGARA RIVER. THe Marine Review in its November issue in an article dealing with the Maid of the Mist's trip through the whirlpool rapids used the following words, which are now of prophetic significauce : "It is safe to say that the simple announcement that on a given date a steamer would leave the boat landing at the foot of Niagara Falls for Lewis- ton would bring more people to Niagara than New York held during the recent Hudson-Fulton celebration." Apparently this prophecy is likely to be realized. Evidently the article con- tained the germ of an idea, for since then Power Boating has offered a prize of $1,000 to the power boat that makes the best time from the boat landing below the falls to Lewiston. The in- 113 terest exhibited has been acute. Scores of contestants have entered and a num- ber of power boat manufacturers have signified their intention of entering their boats. ; The Niagara river from the railroad bridges below the falls to Lewiston is undoubtedly the wildest race of waters in the world. It is likewise one of the most sublime spectacles of nature, ex- ceeding in the embodiment of ruthless power and the majesty of unbridled energy even the falls themselves; but there is no doubt that the trip is both feasible and safe. The man that enters the race should first study his course. He will have but a very few moments of activity, but his plan of action must He need strike no rocks; he will meet with no be well defined in advance. obstructions whatever, except such as -are generated by the water's own trou- bles in finding its exit through this fearfully compressed channel-cross cur- rents, eddies and back swells caused by the frenzied effort of the water to liberate itself. The Maid of the Mist is the only vessel that has ever made this trip under power. She lost her smoke stack at the first shock, but she reached Lew- iston safely. Boats have gone as far as the whirlpool without power, to circle aimlessly about, unable to release them- selves from its grasp. A power boat, sensibly designed and moderately power- ful, ought to negotiate the rapids with reasonable ease. The crucial moment will come abreast of the whirlpool, but if she keeps the American shore close aboard at the turn she should have no difficulty and will be borne rapidly on her journey to Lewiston, for the main spill of the water is-to the right. Be- low the whirlpool the channel, if tur- bulent, is straight and. she should ride it joyously. | It is understood that the race will be held during the coming summer and that leading interests along the Niagara river, especially at Niagara Falls, are becoming actively interested in the test. The power boat clubs and associations the country over, and particularly at Buffalo, have taken hold of the project with enthusiasm, and as there are be- something like 300,000 power boats in the United States alone, a large attendance is certain. comparatively lieved to be