The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-23
EXPERTS ON CITY GOVERNMENT TAX Drs. Allen and Burks Guests
 at Luncheon w. J. DANGAIX HOST Directors of New York and Philadel- phia Bureaus of Municipal
 Research Tell of the e
 Work Done
W. J. DANGAIX HOST

pr. William H. Allen, director of
 the bureau of municipal research oi New York and Dr. Jesse D. Burxs of the bureau of municipal research of Phil i adelphia spent yesterday in Birming- ham, Dr. Allen is the broth erin la W of w. J. Dangaix, and the latter enter l tained the two visitors at luncheon at the Southern club to which 40 invi- tations had been issued. Richard w. Massey, president of the Chamber of Commerce, presided; pr. Allen sat at l his right and Dr. Burks at his left. Others seated at the tables were liar " Jones, Dr. John l.. Parker, w. w. Crawford, John |. Kaul Robert Jemi- son. Sr., H. L. Badham, w. H. Kettig, R. W. Massey. J. A. VanHoose, Harry [. Sims, Ben NJ. Jacobs. J. W. Mcqueen, J. B. Babb, William Ryan, R. F. John ston J. R. Carter, James Weatherly, the Rev. Father James E. Coyle, Rabb' Morris Newfield. the Rev. w. D. Ev- ans, the Rev. J. T. Plunket, W. V. M. Robertson, Erskine Ramsay, B. F Moore. John W. Tomlinson, B. M. Al l len, pr. l.. G. Woodson. Judge Charles w Ferguson, Sterling A. Wood, R. F. McDavid, Robert H. Thach. Frank Nell son, Jr., w. J. Dangaix.
 l As the coffee and cigars were being served Mr. Massey introduced pr. Al
 len in a short. but delicious speech. The distinguished guest In plain. clear mar rative style told of the work that had l been undertaken and accomplished in the past six years through the bureau | of which he is director. His organ1- l zation had kept entirely aloof from pol | tics and was, he said, entirely non partisan. At first politicians were dis posed to ridicule 1t. but now that IL was showing practical results 1t was 1 being regarded seriously and was treat ed with respect. Dr. Allen maintained that a city's business should be con | ducted just as the business of an in l divldual mercantile firm or com mercial or industrial company; and he stressed the point that no municipal government could be properly conduct ed unless the citizens kept themselves informed and manifested a real in- terest in the city's affairs. Dr. Aliens bureau had turped on the light in New York and showed that it was only when there was intelligent and honest in vestigation and intelligent and honest records were kept that graft could be kept down. The speaker gave as some typical illustrations of far reaching
  methods the following:
 l. Six hundred and twenty-one thous- and dollars in 1911's budget increase over 1910 for operating expenses; for the preceding seven years such increase averaged nearly s5,S00,000; yet the 1911 increment of service will be greater than in any of the years when the budget increased from S3,500.000 to $S, 900. O00
 9 One million and five hundred thouS- and dollars of 1910 increase in water. revenues is stated by the commission CT to be due to improved method of collection.
 8 Twenty-Five million dollars of pre- vious corporate stock authorizations were withdrawn in 1910 when corpor- ate stock budget committee made its budget according to relative need.
 A. Requests for revenue bonds have been scrutinized, rejected or cut down with large savings and without detri- ment to departmental efficiency.
 5. Study and knowledge have since 1906 progressively taken the place of guesswork, and 'pull' in making budg cts, in allowing special revenue bonds, in treating franchise matters.
 6. Marked improvements have result ed in the citys care of infants, eX- animation of school children. adminis- tration of school and hospital boards, because of official inquiries by the board of estimate at budget time and by the reorganized office of commissioners of accounts now deserving the titles, the mayors eye" and the peoples eye.'
 T. Four hundred thousand dollars de- creased expenditures and very much larger increase in service rendered in 1910 by the office of the president of the borough of Manhattan.
 8. Forty per cent increase (90,400 square yards) in street pavement relaid in 1910 at decreased labor cost of Is per cent.
 per cent less than for 1910 with prom ise of increased activities in different divisions of from 30 to 150 per cent.
 10. Standardization of specifications and contracts in 1910 promises to save from 10 to 25 per cent in cost of s2O,- 000.000 of supplies each year; some saw ings already effected.
 II. In Manhattan borough alone coal bill was cut 40 per cent by scientific economizing in the operation of engine rooms: these methods should be extend- ed to coal expenditures totalling $2,- 000. .000 a year.
 12. Seven hundred thousand pounds of forage and S00,o00 pounds of meat re- jected in 191o.
 13 Six thousand dollars saved on milk alone at Bellevue In 1910.
 IA Instead of 20 days only six days are required for payment of bills In the department, of finance. thus encour- aging competition for city business among best private enterprises.
 15. One hundred and fifty thousand dollars saved on department of finance payroll in 1910 accompanied by 100 per cent improvement in business methods; work now doubled by dismissing un- necessary employees instead of doubling the staff: one-half the auditors and examiners do an increased amount of the work.
 16 From g to instead of to 4 is the working day of city offices
 IT. Time clocks and time sheets have been introduced as basis for certify ing payrolls
 IS. Cost records are being formulated and introduced.
 19 In 1909 $400 spent on dock budg-