Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-31
A MEASURE OF REFORM
All District Offices to Be- In
vestigated.
THE INQUIRY ORDERED
REGARDED AS NECESSARY IN
VIEW OF CURRENT GOSSIP.
Commissioner Macfarland Gives His
Reasons for Suggesting Gen
eral overhauling.
THE INQUIRY ORDERED

The District Commissioners today ordered
a general investigation Of the various Of
fees and departments under their control
and connected with the District govern
ment This investigation will be made by
committee of officials appointed from the
three general branches Of the District gov
ernment. as represented by the depart
ments assigned to the personal supervision
of the three Commissioners. The investi
cation has been ordered for the purpose OF
ascertaining what reforms changes of
business methods II any, are needed in the
several departments. The decision to make
general investigation was made upon the
motion of Commissioner Macfarland. pres
ident of the District board approved by
Commissioner West. The Engineer Com
missioner Col John Biddle is at present
absent from the city, and has not had
an opportunity to act upon the papers as
yet. Although his action Is not necessary
to the pursuit of the investiga ton, 1t will
probably be secured before the work is
begun.
The investigation is deemed necessary in
view of the general gossip and the stories
of alleged irregularities that have gained
circulation. and represents all that the
Commissioners are empowered to do to cor
Commissioner Macfarand's motion was
follows:
Il 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
departments of that government and re-
port upon their condition and their method
or doing business. with view to their
Improvement either by action of the Com
missioners or by action of Congress
Mr. Macfo C%o%oo,~,%
In speaking Of the proposed investiSa-
ton. Commissioner Macfarland says:
Il have proposed to the Commissioners
the creation of committee of officials,
representing the three divisions of the
District service into which the duties of
the three Commissioners are distributed,
to examine all departments as to their con-
dtion and their methods of doing business,
with view to their possible improve
ment. In the enlarged de selopment of the
District government. due to the great
growth of the District itself, the time has
come, in my judgment, for a general
view of this kind. From time to time the
Commissioners have appointed committees
of officials to examine and report upon par
ticular offices, and always with profitable
results. OF course, the Commissioners
have never waited for formal investiga-
tions, but have steadily made or approved
Improvements in the methods as they
were suggested by circumstances or other
wise.
Each Commissioner has striven to i'm
prove the departments Immediately under
his care, and all have united in general
improvements. AS a result, in spite of
the defects inevitable in any human SyS-
TEN. and those which due to lack of
action upon recommendations made to
Congress. 1 believe a general investigation
would show that the work is being done in
general faithfully. economically and sue
cessfully. In number of departments no
adverse criticism could be justly made,
because Of the admirable way in which
they are conducted. But a comparison of
methods and a unif1catiOn of the best fea-
lures of all. with such improvements as
misnl ue suggested. would be beneficial
Two Glasses Of Recommendations.
1.-The committee could make two classes
of recommendations. First. those which
would require new legislation or increased
appropriations by Congress. which could
be submitted later to Congress by the
Commissioners. and, second. those which
could be carried out by the order of the
Commissioners In the preparation of their
estimates and of their annual report to
Congress the Commissioners have to act
upon their general knowledge and the In
dividual and Independent representations
of the different departments under them.
Each Commissioner can know, even in a
general way. only the departments assign
ed to him In the distribution of duties. 1t
would be advantageous 10 t!lell all W
have a complete and comprehensive com
parison of the conditions and needs of all
departments basis for their repre-
sentations to Congress, as well as to en-
able them to make such new orders as
would improve the system
Mr.. Vests Views.
Commissioner West stated: Il am glad
that action has been taken looking to pos
sible reorganization of business methods in
the District government. Some time ago
l addressed a letter to the heads of all the
departments under my immediate jurisdic
ton, asking them for information which
would give me more intimate knowledge
of the personnel of the force in each office
and lay a foundation for more efficient
service If possible The order that the
Commissioners have now adopted will pro-
vide for a more extensive inquiry"
MIDSHIPMAN FRY'S CASE.