The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-14
Mayor Haynes Considers the Plan Of
Establishing Bureau Of
Complaints,
The Scheme Has Worked Wonders
in Brooklyn From Start
How It Operates.

Mayor James G. Haynes Is seriously
considering the proposition of establish
ing bureau Of complaints where tax
payers and citizens generally may regis
ter their kicks or. complaints in any
municipal matter that has not gone to
their liking. Brooklyn has such a bureau
and it has proved an immense public
convenience from the start There are a
great many things, mostly small ones,
which annoy and irritate the people, but
complaints are rarely lodged In such cases
because the people are uncertain as to
how to proceed and where to make their
complaints.
Brooklyn recognizes the kicker as a
public benefactor and entitled to con-
sideration, hence the establishment of a.
bureau. It is in charge Of James A..
Rooney and his title is supervisor Of
complaints" Mr.. Rooney has already in
vestigated hundreds Of complaints Of all
kinds, giving the redress sought in ma
jority Of instances. The activities Of the
bureau cover a wide range. Mr.. Rooney
takes cognizance not merely of matters
directly pertaining to the city govern
ment, but Of about everything that at
fects the life and comfort of the citizen.
He has frequently been called upon to
settle private disputes between neigh
bors, and nearly always has been sue
cessful by merely Offering few words
OF common sense advice.
! Complaints about the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit company's many shortcomings
receive attention and are frequently re-
dressed. For instance, Flatbush car,
leaving Park Row about 9 o'clock one
morning recently filed with sleepy pas
.sengers, was held up al 1.-The way from
| the Brooklyn end Of. the bridge to Sew
| enth avenue by three four-horse trucks
of the Borden Milk company, and the pas
sengers were kept out OF bed for a half
| hour or more because the drivers thought
! it q good opportunity to show that they
did not care for the Brooklyn Rapid Tran
/ sit company. One of the victims in the
car complained to Mr.. Rooney Of this
fragrant violation of the ordinance against
| the obstruction of street care traffic by
trucks. Mr.. Rooney had the matter in
Investigated, caleld the attention Of the milk
company, the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
company, and the police department to
it, and it is safe to say that those drivers
will not hold up street cars for several
nights to come.
Thebureau of complaints has been par
t1cularly useful in procuring needed street
| Improvements, such as Tagging and curb
ing. Both time and money have been
saved to the city and to the taxpayers
/ and property owners. Much time, espe-
cially, has been saved. Investigations
that would have required months under
thru In as many days. Mr.. Rooney as
certains how much time is really needed
to perform a given task before sending
out his inspectors, and then requires
them to finish their work in that time.
l = Mr.. Rooney, being an expert snap shot
artist, takes pictures Of dangerous cross
ings; defective sidewalks and hundred
other things that need attention, and by
forwarding the kicks to the proper au-
sthorities usually secures very prompt ac-
tion With the aid of Borough President
Swanstrom several unsightly building.
i have been condemned and torn down.
- Every citizen of MinHea polls knows
what becomes of a general complaint
i whats everybody's business Is usually
4 nobody's, and a vast number Of matters
which could be improved and unisances
which could be abated are neglected
simply because there is no one to apply
4 the goad. .zr~ e1le.
4 Secretary Frank Mcdonald says tina,
the bureau would be a fine thing. In fact
4 he is already conducting one on a small
scale and II Mayor Haynes sees FIT tt
name him as supervisor of compla ints. ;
he will accept the honors and responsi
4 bilities with characteristic humility.