The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-11-30
BOARD OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.

With a few exceptions, some of which are OF i'm
portance, the organization Of the Board of Public I'm
provements is excellent. Defects may be found in the
methods prescribed by Charter for operation, but the
board, as an institution, is established on a superior
system.
No system Is, or can be, perfect, and theorists may
no doubt, find faults in the system that may seem to
them serious. but there are In fact not many important
defects in the organization Of the board. A topper.
feet system is often unmanageable. Practical men
like a percentage Of incompleteness because a pro
vision that is excessively arbitrary prohibits adapta-
ton Of laws to conditions and restricts the scope OF
authority and direction. Theorists may not under
stand this philosophy as well as men who have served
in the board; yet it is the philosophy Of experience.
The Board Of Public Improvements is composed OF
six Commissioners. Two more should probably be
added. for reasons which will be explained later. II
consists of the President. the Water Commissioner, the
Street Commissioner, the Harbor and Wharf Commits.
sioner, the Sewer Commissioner and the Park Com,
missioner. The two who should be included in its
membership are the Supervisor Of City Lighting and
the Commissioner Of Public Buildings.
All plans for public Improvement proper originate
in the board and bills of this character which are
transmitted to the Municipal Assembly cannot be
amended in either house. However, the Assembly
may return bills to the board with suggestions for
though the board is under no obligation
~ COmpiy Will leQuc5tS " 10 dUlue py ouSSeSuon0
made by either house.
As the board consists of civil engineers, technicists
and business men, the Charter rightly presumes that
it is better qualified than the Assembly to pass upon
the merits Of public work projects. This contention
is strengthened by the internal system governing the
board. There is q COMMITTEES for every department
represented and every plan or proposition is con-
sidered by a COMMITTEES before the board renders q
final verdict. Each committee is practically an in
dependent board, similar to water boards or other de-
partments as they exist In other municipalities.
The President Of the board is elected at large, but
is virtually the representative Of the Mayor, provided
the two officials have interests In common. Should
the President be disposed to antagonize the Mayors
policies he could do irreparable injury. However, the
Eve other Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor,
and through them the President may, II necessary, be
kept in line. 1t will be noted thnt the board is some
what of q Cabinet to the Mayor. For this reason,
probably, the Commissioners are appointed, subject to
approval by the City Council, and not elected.
Under the present organization the Supervisor Of
City Lighting and the Commissioner of Public Build
ings have no vote in the board. Recommendation
from them must be ubmitted through some Commits
sioner. They have not even the right to intrude upon
committee meetings when recommendation offered
by them are being considered. Custom, however, has
extended this right, AZ = privilege, to the Supervisor
OF City Lighting. To o great extent the Department
Of Public Buildings ID a branch to the Presidents De-
%partment. a condition which has often occasional con-
6icts and retarded work.
1t seems that the organization Of the board could
be improved by the addition Of the Lighting Depart
ment and the Department Of Public Buildings. Both
departments have important duties, especially the
Lighting Department, and their chiefs should be in
position to Justify their attitudes ON matters relating
to their work. Furthermore, an increase in member
ship would tend to prevent the growth of small cllques
in the board, as well as to advance its advisory and
expert character.