Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
THOSE TO INVESTIGATE
Committee Appointed by the
Commissioners.
ALL THE BRANCHES
OF THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT
TO BE INQUIRED INTO.
Special Fitness for the Duty Of Messrs.
Garrison and Burke and
DR.. Woodward.
ALL THE BRAN CH ES


mittee which will investigate all branches
of the District government in conformity
with the motion of Commissioner Macfar-
land made July 80, last, in which he said:
II move that the Commissioners appoint
a committee of officials. representing the
three general branches of the government
of the District of Columbia. to examine all
the departments of that government and
report upon their condition and their
method of doing business. with a view to
their improvement either by action of the
Commissioners or by action of Congress"
The committee named consists of Mr..
John R. Garrison, who will become auditor
of the District of Columbia the morning of
August IS; DIR. William c. Woodward, the
District health officer, and MIR. Moncure
Burke, secretary to Col. John Biddle, the
Engineer Commissioner, and assistant chief
clerk Of the engineer department.
Mr.. Garrison was named by Commissioner
West as the representative of the branches
Of the local government controlled by him.
DR.. Woodward was named by Commissioner
Macfarland. and Mr.. Burke was named by
Col. Biddle.
DR.. William Tindall. secretary to the
board Of Commissioners has been named
at the suggestion of Commissioner Macfar-
land to be recorder of the examining COM
mission.
The work of investigation will be begun
as soon as practicable after the 18th in
slant. This date has been set because of
the fact that Auditor Garrison will not
enter the District service until the 18th in
slant, and it will give him but one day in
which to generally acQuaint himself with
his office before beginning the general work
of the examination of all other depart
ments.
Special Recommendations.
In naming Mr.. Burke as the representa-
of <ln II
die. the Engineer Commissioner, took oc-
casion to express his views in the matter.
He says:
There have been. within the three gen.
eral branches of the District government.
committees appointed at frequent inter-
walls to report on methods employed and to
recommend improvements. Several of the
subdepartments of the engineer depart
ment have been remOdeled within the last
year and Il half. and special committee
considered all questions Of salary.
The committee now proposed from the
three branches will have authority broader
in its scope and will certainly be able to
accomplish more. making. as it can, COM
PARSONS of all the departments. A COM
mittee appointed by the Commissioners in
1859 to reorganize the tax department is
an example of what such a committee can
accomplish.
I name Mr.. Moncure Burke. who is gen.
orally familiar with all the branches of
of the committee"
In naming Auditor Garrison, Commits
Sfonser West staed:
Some time ago l addressed a letter to
the heads of all departments coming under
my immediate jurisdiction, requesting in
formation as to whether a reduction of
force would impair the efficiency of the
service; whether any change in the per-
sonnet of the force would tend to improve
ment and seeking such other information
as might possibly lead to better business
methods and better service. For this rea-
son heartily approve the appointment of
the committee proposed herein, and name
Mr.. John r. Garrison one member
thereof
Commissioner MacfarIand today added
the final Endorsement to the paper, saying:
Il move that w. c: Woodward. M. D.,
health officer; John r. Garrison, auditor,
and Moncure Burke Of the engineer depart
ment be appointed the committee to make
the examination and report provided for
by the action of the Commissioners; that
William Tindall, secretary Of the board of
Commissioners, act as recorder of the COM
mittee, and that the committee begin its
labors as soon as may be practicable after
the 18th Of August. 1903"
Mr.. Macfarland's Statement.
Speaking of the appointment Of the COM
mittee. Mr.. Macfarland said:
1.-The committee to examine the different
departments of the District government,
with a view to reporting their condition to
the Commissioners, with such recommended
tons for the improvement of business
methods IS may seem desirable, will begin
Its work as soon as practicable after Mr..
Garrison. the new auditor of the District,
who is to be a member of the committee,
takes office, which will be On Monday. the
18th of August. AS the Commissioners de-
sire the examination to be thorough one,
and the members of the committee will
have to perform the ordinary duties of their
offices well. the Commissioners do not
expect an early report. The work could
not be properly done in hurry.
1T is the desire of the Commissioners
that the committee Should take all the time
necessary, so that its recommendations
may be as nearly perfect as possible and
by Congress on their recommendation shall
not need to be revised soon again. 1t ought
to be distinctly understood that this COM
mittee is to make its examination, not be-
cause of charges, for there are none to lay
before 1t, but as wise business proceeding.
After twenty-five years during which
the District government has grown stead
lily, largely through the provisions Of appro-
priation bills, and without any uniform
system 1t is desirable that a comparison of
conditions and methods should be made,
with view to such Improvement as may
be possible. Congress has not adopted all
the recommendations made by the Commits
sioners which would have improved the diff
ferent departments. and such recommended
with others which may be recommended by
the committee The object In view is
uniform, up-to-date business system. Many
of the departments will be found to need
little, If any. improvement in this respect"
Latest Assignment Of Duties.
At this time the latest assignment OF
duties between the Commissioners is inter-
esting. 1t follows:
Commissioner mcfarland Anatomical
board. inspection of boilers, charities lex
cept Washington Asylum), inspection of
COAL appointment of trustees Columbia
Hospital, coroner, dental examiners drug
gfst to the poor, electrical department, ex-
else board, fire department, fish wharf, in
spection of flour, inspection of food inspec-
tor of gas and meters, harbormaster. hay
scales, health Office, insane. superintendent
of insurance, liquor licenses, inspection OF
lumber. markets. medical supervisors and
examiners, municipal building, municipal
lodging houses, paupers, physicians to the
poor. commissioners of pharmacy, pound
master, public schools, ex-oflcio trustee OF
reform school for boys, president board OF
control Rock Creek Park, sealer of weights
and measures. schools. board Of examiners
steam engineers, veterinary surgeon in
spectiOn of wood, all business not otherwise
assigned.