Beleagured American taxpayers have a right to expect efficient use and management of their tax dollars, Thus it was comforting to read that President Reagan has launched a double assault on fraud and waste in the federal government. He named a new comptroller general to head the General Accounting Office, investigative arm of Congress, and charged him with intensifying the fight against such abuses, And he dispatched a revitalized corps of inspectors general to root out violaters. Reagan said the comptroller general nominee, Charles A. Bowsher, “has the expertise of an insider with the perspective of an outsider” – and agreed he’1I need these qualities “in great abundance.” Bowsher, managing partner of a Washington accounting firm, succeeds Elmer B. Staats, who retired. The appointment for a 15-year term must be confirmed by the Senate. In months past, a number of concemed lawmakers have spoken out in frustration over loss by the government of “billions of dollars annually” to waste and fraud. Early in his administration the president declared his intention to fight these abuses, He named a council of Integrity and Efficiency to oversee the work of the 15 inspectors general charged with ferreting out such activities in various agencies. He also replaced most of the former IGs for a fresh approach. Reagan reported, in announcing Bowsher’s appointment, that since January the IGs have questioned ‘more than $1 billion in costs, recovered $95 million and saved $300 million that otherwise would have been spent had they not intervened. In his charge to the new comptroller general, he said nothing has disheartened him more than discovery that some offices of government are not moving to improve financial management. He urged prompt action. It’s important now that the revitalized attitude spread throughout govemment – the legislative, executive and judicial branches and out through the bureaus and agencies. When violations are found, action should be swift and decisive, “I hope you never lose , the sense of indignation / any private citizen feels at, the spectacle of waste fraud in the feder system,” Reagan to Bowsher. The same mi t well apply in other levels f govemment also.