Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-13

average cost for all the roads, an agent Is
sent to find out what Is the matter. Neither
graft nor waste Is possible anywhere under
such a system properly supervised. The
expenditures of American cities should be
checked in the same way and with the
same results.
ITO make this possible there must be
agreement upon the proper classification of
municipal accounts; there must be IA stand
ardization of municipal bookkeeping. When
that is accomplished graft and waste can
The Census Reports.
My attention was first drawn to the pos
sibilities for good which lie in these annual
census reports on municipal statistics, when
a proposition to substitute biennial reports
FOR those now made annually was under
consideration In the Office. We sought out
side advice on the question and / was
amazed at the protest. / was told that
those comparative municipal statistics af
forded the most useful check that existed
upon the growth of municipal expenditures:
that students of the subject regarded their
annual compilation as Indispensable for
the close study and rational regulation of
municipal finance, and that the chief criti-
cism upon them was the fact that the sta
tistics could not be classified as to make
them comparable. city with city
This led to careful study In the census
Office of possible methods of meeting the
criticism 1t was seen that the practical
way was to enlist the active cooperation
of the municipal officers themselves, and
that the census office might be made the
agency clearing house through whose re-
ports Standardization might be gradually
developed and extended. That is the origin
Of these conferences.
Points With Pride.
IT may add, with what I hope Is par
donable PRIDE that this is only one OF
many directions In which the census office
is proving potent fundamentally for the
standardization Of official statistics. 1t is
field of usefulness not thought of when the
effort to establish permanent census office
was finally successful. 1t is destined to prove
the most valuable result of that legisla-
ton. Nowhere can this function be utilized
to greater public advantage than in the
field which especially concerns this con-
ference.
Your presence here proves your patriotic
interest In the practical solution of the
greatest problem which confronts the Amer
lean people today-the problem of the hon
est, efficient and economical conduct of the
American municipality under democratic
institutions"
Other Statistics.
L. G. Power chief statistician of the CEN
sus Office spoke upon census bulletin No.
90 1905, explaining In detail its preparation
and object.
During the morning Edward NJ. Hartwell,
who is secretary of the advisory committee
OF the conference, which operates IN con-
nection with the census bureau In prepar-
ing municipal statistics, reported upon the
present situation viewed in the light of
events since the last conference in 1908.
He showed how much had been accomplish
ed toward bringing about the results de-
sired by the conference and what might be
hoped for in the future.
4 short recess was taken and the con-
ference resumed it's discussions shortly
after pm. Sessions will be held tonight
and tomorrow morning, afternoon and even
ing at the Arlington.
Some of the Conferees.
The following are among those who are
attending the conference or who are ex-
pected before it adjourns: Secretary Bona
parte of the Navy Department as president
OF the National Municipal League, Control
Ter Herman H. Metz of New York city, Con-
troller Lawrence E. McGann of Chicago,
the controller of Boston. Auditor Upham
of Cambridge, Mass; Thomas II. Pratt, au-
ditor of Lincoln, Neb.; George B. Williams,
deputy controller of Rochester, n. Y. ].
o. Lea, treasurer of Charleston, S. c., Ed
win II. Hartweu of Boston, Henry 3. Hen
Richard NJ. Chapman and Duncan Mac
Paul, MINI. B. T. Dixon, state auditor of
urer Of Chelsea, Mass; George B. Rex, au-
troller, Shreveport, La; w. j. Shepherd,
treasurer of Buffalo N. Y; w. e. Thomas.
auditor of Roanoke, Va.