Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-23
INQUIRY INTO METHODS
SUGGESTS 0vERHAULNG OF
DISTRICT BUSINESS RULES.
Letter by Commissioner Mcfarland
to Representative Gardner Rec
ommending Appropriation.

be appropriated for an. examination into
the business methods of the District
government, Commissioner mcfarland
closed his last official day at the Districs
building yesterday by sending a letter
on the subject to Representative Wash
ington Gardner. chairman of the sub
committee on appropriations.
Commissioner mcfarland believes that
business experts should so through the
District government carefully and find
leaks, if any: Implications of work. If
any, and recommend short cuts and
more effective methods whenever there
seems to be a chance for their Inaugural
ton. He ca led Mr.. Gardeners attention
to the fact that Congress has just ap-
propriated $4,000 for Just such an inves-
tigation in the Treasury Department.
Suggestions of Experts Helpful.
In conclusion the letter read:
Il therefore desire to emphasize what
I have said to you in conversation, that
while the business methods of the Dis
trict government have been improved
by the Commissioners from time to time,
notably in 1903 and in 1902. upon the
reports OF committees of officials appointed
provementS, l believe, as experience has
shown elsewhere, that suggestions made
by experts in business systems looking
AT the existing business methods of a
municipal or other corporation, with q
fresh eye and knowledge obtained in
similar cases, Will furnish suggestions
that would not occur even to the COM
petent officials of the District Of Column
bia government. If the Treasury De-
partmeat, with its many capable officials,
will be benefited by such expert advice,
l believe that the District government
is entitled to the same kind Of service.
CAS- was stated in the House by Chair
man Tawney and other gentlemen, the
cost Of the work for the Treasury De-
partment is inconsiderable, compared
with the great saving in time and money
which it may bring about. The same
thing would be true of a similar eXpendD
ture for the District government. An
estimate as to the amount of money re-
CURED could easily be obtained for your
committee from the we'll known con-
Germs which do this kind of work 70,
municipal and other corporations. l ain
sending copy of this letter TO Senator
Gallinger for his information"
Last Acts of Present Board.
The present Commissioners completed
what will probably stand as their last
official business late yesterday after
noon. A board meeting was held a,
noon, at which three important measures
were discussed and drafts Of bills sen,
to the Capitol.
One Of these was the city beautiful
measure, which will divide the city's
streets into "class A. and ''class b. The
former class will be subject TO certain
regulations which will subject all future
buildings to the esthetic ideas OF board
Of architects.
The bill to regulate the height of build
ings was also sent up with a favorable
report 1t allows fireprOof buildings te
go up higher than the regulations have
heretofore permitted. The other bill Is
to change alleys into minor streets.
Commissioner Macfarland and Com
missioner West had busy day yester
day. Their official business, coupled witt
a great many calls from personal friend!
who came to wish them good luck ant
goodbye, took up every minute Of i;
long day. Waldo Hibbs,- secretary Il
Commissioner mcfarland, stayed in tn.
District building until nearly midnight
clearing up the last vestige of bushes.
which remaineu on Mr.. Macfarland's
desk.