Legislation should be enacted at the present session of the Congress for the Thirteenth Census.  The establishment of the permanent Census Bureau affords the opportunity for a better census than we have ever had, but in order to realize the full advantage of the permanent organization, ample time must be given for preparation.

There is a constantly growing interest in this country in the question of the public health.  At last the public mind is awake to the fact that many diseases, notably tuberculosis, are National scourges.  The work of the State and city boards of health should be supplemented by a constantly increasing interest on the part of the National Government.  The Congress has already provided a bureau of public health and has provided for a hygienic laboratory.  There are other valuable laws relating to the public health connected with the various departments.  This whole branch of the Government should be strengthened and aided in every way.

I call attention to two Government commissions which I have appointed and which have already done excellent work.  The first of these has to do with the organization of the scientific work of the Government, which has grown up wholly without plan and is in consequence so unwisely distributed among the Executive Departments that much of its effect is lost for the lack of proper coordination.  This commission’s chief object is to introduce a planned and orderly development and operation in the place of the ill-assorted and often ineffective grouping and methods of work which have prevailed.  This can not be done without legislation, nor would it be feasible to deal in detail with so complex an administrative problem by specific provisions of law.  I recommend that the President be given authority to concentrate related lines of work and reduce duplication by Executive order through transfer and consolidation of lines of work.

The second committee, that on Department methods, was instructed to investigate and report upon the changes needed to place the conduct of the executive force of the Government on the most economical and effective basis in the light of the best modern business practice.  The committee has made very satisfactory progress.  Antiquated practices and bureaucratic ways have been abolished, and a general renovation of departmental methods has been inaugurated.  All that can be done by Executive order has already been accomplished or will be put into effect in the near future.  The work of the main committee and its several assistant committees has produced a wholesome awakening on the part of the great body of officers and employees engaged in Government work.  In nearly every Department and office there has been a careful self-inspection for the purpose of remedying any defects before they could be made the subject of adverse criticism.  This has led individuals to a wider study of the work on which they were engaged, and this study has resulted in increasing their efficiency in their respective lines of work.  There are recommendations of special importance from the committee on the subject of personnel and the classification of salaries which will require legislative action before they can be put into effect.  It is my intention to submit to the Congress in the near future a special message on those subjects.