The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-04
DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENTS.
Alderman Dixon Pushing Matters
Along in Public Works Office.

Alderman James NJ. Dixon, in charge OF
the department OF public works as chair
man of the committee on streets and lanes,
is pushing The work along. As long as he
is fully in charge Of the department he says
it is his intention to have every man do
his full duty, and to dispose Of all whose
services are not needed. He intends 20
apply the doctrines Of the platform on
which he was elected and aid the Mayor
in cutting expenses.
There as very little TO be done in his
Office during the forenoon, but when the
men begin to report in the afternoon, Al
derman Dixon Is on hand TO acquaint him
self with the work done, and TO map out
work for the following day. While the
work is somewhat new, he has not found
much trouble in catching on to things, and
directing the operations of the city forces.
There are now about 100 laborers who are
paid $50 a day. Alderman Dixon says he
does not want a man with the department
who is not worth that TO the city. He be-
lieveg in good pay, but he holds that every
laborer should be required to give the city
an honest days work
My first object win be to find out just
who are in this department and what they
are doing" said Alderman Dixon, as he
produced q list of over 100 city employees.
If there is not enough work to keep the
men now employed busy IL is my intention
to dismiss them. At any rate, I am not
employing anybody now, and do not intend
to do so, unless there is a very urgent need
for their services. The sidewalk inspector
and porter have been dismissed from this
office, and I do not intend to fin their
places for the reason that do not consider
their services are needed. One porter
viii do the work for the three Offices on
this floor, while the sidewalk Inspector s
Office is abolished"
The first evidence OF the gain the city
receives from the changes that have
brought about a more harmonious work
Ing of the departments was brought out
by Alderman Dixon yesterday, in a letter
TO Superintendent of Police Screven, ask
ing that the police force be ordered to re-
port defects in sidewalks on their divls-
ions. Besides the police force, the Office
force Of the public works department has
been ordered TO report defective sidewalks.
This will give us seventy-five sidewalk
inspectors instead of one" said Alderman
Dixon Il saw at once that other en-
ployes could make these reports. which
would not interfere with their other duties
in any manner. The inspector of materials
is another Office which is not needed, and
can be done away with without Gripping
the service of this department In the
slightest"
As soon as the brick arrive, the depart
ment win begin work paving Wheaton
street, which was yesterday reported in an
almost impossible condition. Just when
the brick will be here cannot be told, but
there viii not be any time lost in starting
after it is received, which, it is expected,
viii be within the next two or three
weeks. The supply of brick to come is
part of large lot ordered by ex-Superln-
lendent Willink The paving will be on
the same order as that around the mar
ket