Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-18
THE INQUIRY BEGUN
COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE DIS
TRICT GOVERNMENT BUREAUS.
Report to Be Made Of Conclusions Re-
garding Reform Of Bust
ness Methods.

The committee of inquiry appointed by
the Commissioners to examine into the vari-
GUS departments Of the District govern
ment was organized this morning and given
by Commissioner Mcfarland the only in
structions that are deemed necessary for
its guidance in the work about to be under
taken. The committee will make but one
report. and there will be no news given
out concerning it's deliberations until the
examination is concluded.
DIR. William c. Woodward, health officer
OF the District, has been chosen chairman
OF the committee, the other members being
Mr.. John r. Garrison. auditor Of the Dis
trict; Mr.. Moncure Burke of the engineer
department and DIR. William Tindall, re-
corder The committee will meet tomorrow
afternoon at o'clock to begin its work.
Just how the examination will proceed has
not as yet been determined. 1t Is believed
the committee will act as whole for the
present although later the work may be di-
vided between the different members.
The members Of the committee called on
Commissioner Macfarland Immediately af-
ter organization. Mr.. Macfarland said he
was glad the committee could begin its
work so promptly, for the task would prob
ably be a long one, since its members would
have to attend to their regular duties as
well, and since the work ought to be as
thorough and comprehensive as possible.
He said that his thought in suggesting
the examination was that the committee
might be like eyes for the Commissioners
who in the multitude of their duties could
not know the details even of the depart
ments Immediately under them, and could
not have comparison of all the depart
ments in any other way. The purpose of
the Commissioners, he said, was to obtain
a complete account Of the condition of the
departments with such suggestions as might
be made for the improvement Of their work.
Always Room for Improvement.
1.-THE Commissioners have no charges to
lay before the committee, but believe that
in general the departments are efficient and
economical" said Mr.. mcfarland But
there Is always room for improvement, and
those departments which are better Or
ganized or better equipped than others will
furnish valuable suggestions. The COM
mite will have in mind, of course, that the
heads of the different departments are all
endeavoring to improve their departments.
as the Commissioners are endeavoring to
improve the whole system. but that in many
cases. for lack of legislation or appropria-
tions for which the Commissioners have
asked Congress. desired improvements have
been delayed. The Commissioners desire
from the committee not partial reports, but
one complete report. setting forth. after ex-
amtna ton OF all the departments, what is
needed to make the entire system better
and especially to unity and simplify 1t.
There Is special need Of this, because Of the
lack Of uniformity. due to the fact that the
District government has been built up
any general harmonious plan"
The committee Is to take its own course
In making the examination, with no further
instructions from the Commissioners.