Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-03
BUSINESS MHTHO obs
FURTHER SUGGESTIONS FOB DIS
TRICT GOVERNMENT.
Recommendations Made by Committee
Appointed by the Commissioners
Bookkeeping Methods.

Appointed by the COMMISSIONER
Bookkeeping Methods.
The committee appointed by the Commits
sfoners to examine into the District busi-
ness methods and to suggest improvements
in the service made a number of minor rec
concentrations in addition to those publish
ed in yesterdays Star.
Among other suggestions the committee
recommended that the schedules and
changes in schedules for street sweeping
be approved by three Commissioners in
stead of one, as at present; that each In
spector In the department submit daily
report Of his inspection work; that COM
plants with reference to various divisions
OF the work under the STRENGTHENING de-
partment be classified; that when fine is
imposed by the superintendent of the de-
partment on any contractor the superin-
tendent shall notify the contractor of his
action, and that the contractors for the re-
moval of ashes and miscellaneous refuse,
etc., be required to file daily detailed re-
ports showing the work performed by
them.
The committee gives attention to all the
departments.
With reference to the Office of the build
ing inspector the committee makes the fol-
lowing recommendations: That all plans
Of buildings to be erected for the District
Of Columbia, when submitted to the Com
missioners. be accompanied by a formal
recommendation for approval or mOdifica-
tion made by the responsible board or Off
Ger into whose custody the proposed build
ing is to come when completed: that when
all bids received for any proposed building
are in excess of the amount Of money
available for it's construction the plans be
modified so as to reduce the cost. the work
ho received
opened and the award of the contract made
in the usual manner; that contracts re-
quring contractors who have erected
buildings for the District OF Columbia to
keep such buildings in repair for one year
after such buildings have been turned over
to the Commissioners provide that q Sufh-
cient amount of the money due under such
contracts be retained for corresponding
period so better to insure the enforce
ment Of this obligation.
The Plumbing Inspector.
Recommendations are made for minor
changes in the Office of the inspector of
plumbing. Among other things it is sug-
gested that each inspector be required to
leave the office for outside work at 10 am,
and that all applications for permits to
repair or remodel plumbing be submitted to
the inspector Of plumbing for recommended
ton or approval before the issue of such
permits by the permit clerk of the engineer
department.
1t is suggested that the plumbing board
be reduced to three memberS-a master
plumber. journeyman plumber and an en-
ploye of the District. The committee
recommends that a record be kept of the
work performed by each inspector of the
electrical department.
1t is recommended by the committee that
the superintendent of insurance institute
prosecutions in the Police Court In every
case which comes to his knowledge of a
violation of the insurance laws, and that
certain changes be made in the business
methods of the Office. 1t Is deemed adj
vsable by the committee that the sealer Of
weights and measures should give bond to
the District instead of the United States.
The committee also suggests discontinue
ance of the practice Of the market masters
of receiving from occupants of stalls or
space in the markets amounts due for rent;
also that legislation be secured defining the
status of the wholesale market.
The committee makes the recommended
ton that the fees collected by the in
spector of steam boilers be deposited with
the collector of taxes, and that the office be
made a salaried position; also that the
duties of the inspectors of wood, lumber,
-four etc, be definitely defined
The committee recommends that the rules
relating to the bathing beach be revised
and amended prior to the beginning of the
next bathing season; that the superintend-
ent of the beach discontinue making emer-
gency purchases at such times as the prop
erty clerks office is open.
With reference to the board of education
the committee recommends as follows: That
an effort be made to secure legislation au-
thorizing the appointment Of substitute
teachers and substitute janitors'' in the
public schools, and fixing rate and manner
of compensation, to be paid from the sal
aries of the absentees for whom such sub
stitute works; that the Commissioners in
vite the attention of the board of education
to the ACCESSIBILITY of requiring bond from
fAIf nP OF hn u lin
school,
Bookkeeping Methods.
Improvements in bookkeeping methods at
the Washington Asylum are suggested, and
also that the rules and regulations govern
ing the institution be revised and amended.
1t is stated that the rules have fallen into
disuse. and that the board of visitors pro-
vided for in the rules has seldom, If ever,
visited the institution during recent years.
In regard to Freedmen's Hospital and
Asylum the committee suggests that writ
ten time reports be kept at the institution
Of the service of its employees, and various
other changes in business methods are sug-
gested.
With reference to the Industrial Home
School the committee recommends as fol-
lows: That acquisitions for supplies for the
Industrial Home School, signed by the Su-
perintendent. shall have written indorse-
ment thereon showing the approval by the
board of trustees of the school, such In
dorsement to be signed by the secretary of
the board.
Changes in the method of making fnan-
cial reports from this institution are also
recommended. and 1t Is suggested that ad-
mission of an inmate to the school be based
upon a written order issued by the board
of trustees or by their authority. The COM
mittee suggests that the superintendent
should be required to furnish bond to
the District.
With reference to the municipal lodging
house the committee recommends as fol-
lows: That the superintendent of the
municipal loding house decline to accept
any meat or articles of food furnished un-
der contract for the maintenance of that
institution which. in his judgment, do not
conform with the standard of quality pre-
scribed In the contract, and should a deale,
| In any case decline to deliver articles OF
the quality required by the contract, the
superintendent promptly report the matter
| to the property clerk Of the District also
| that the superintendent render to the auditor
| at the end of each month an itemized state
ment of all moneys received by him TO,