The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1908-07-17
THE CHICAGO WATERW0RKs.

sioner OF Public Works April "
1908.
Investigation Of certain charges pre-
ferred by your department against
employees In the water bureau and a
subsequent inquiry into conditions In
that service show that neglect OF duty
lack OF discipline. insubordination and
corruption have demoralized that serv.
Ice az far back AS there is "A record
OF the Office. From evidence before II
the commission is convinced that the
fundamental cause lies in lack OF or
ganization and discipline and In the
absence Of common business methods.
The commission Is OF the opinion
that these evils cannot be corrected
wholly by spasmodic investigation or
by occasional discharge Of employees
Evidence placed before the commission
by Deputy Commissioner Redieske OF
the department Of public works and
superintendent McCourt OF the water
bureau. whose efforts brought about
this inquiry. shows utter disregard OF
the rights Of public property on the
part OF those charged with it's custody
and use.
1t proved complete absence of a
sense OF responsibility on the part OF
employees. Officials Of the bureau tes-
titled that no adequate check Is kept
upon the city property and supplies
II was shown that officials holding re-
sponsible positions were mere figure
heads without authority. Testimony
was heard showing that, following the
removal on charges by this commission
OF former superintendent of the office.
II developed that there were 900 un-
realed meters I'm the city. At the same
time 1t was found that fifteen wards
OF the city had not been reassessed
during the last five years. Subsequent
assessment OF three OF these wards
added $4,000 annually TO the revenues
OF the water office.
Testimony heard under oath In re-
gard To the working force Of the meter
mechanical division disclosed that un-
der these conditions the most the city
obtained for a days pay was so per
cent of days work. Efficiency sheets
for the period covered by this esti-
mate OF the value Of days work
unwarrantedly credited all employees
with high efficiency. The head of that
division testified he was not permitted
during his incumbency OF seven years
10 maintain discipline.
While the commission has no direct
evidence of criminal acts warranting
prosecution. there Is no doubt the city,
through neglect, petty stealing. tam
pering with meters and lack OF eff
cheney, for many years has suffered
great loss. Lax methods made easy
The theft OF water. A discrepancy be-
tween the revenue possibilities OF the
water bureau and the actual income is
such as TO shock the business sense Of
any citizen.
In II general way the inquiry OF the
commission covered all branches OF the
water service. Conditions under which
the entire bureau has been operated
are such that they protect neither the
city, The property owner nor the EN-
ployee. Responsibility is 80 spread
that, so far rs the Inquiry has progress
ed the commission Is unable to fix re-
sponsibillty for more serious COM
plants, Inquiry along these lines
might he prolonged indefinitely. with
the sole result Of an accumulation OF
evidence Of incompetency and lax
methods.
Ii Is therefore the conclusion OF the
commission that there is nothing fur
ther TO be accomplished by a proceed
Ing of this character. TO correct abuses
Efforts must be directed to systematic
constructive work.
With that end In view the commits
sion recommends n complete reorgan-
izaiion OF the bureau. To effect this