The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-06

The following address was deliver ed by Mr. Everts this afternoon be- fore the National Association of of which organization he is vice pres- ident: Probably no one word has been so thoroughly worked overtime the past few years as efficiency" Political parties, governmental departments, newspapers, and organizations have reason to- base their very existence
 upon the magic effect of this word used at psychological moments. It
 has become a standard by which to dignity of the word and the true val
 ue of that for which 1t stands has greatly suffered because of the com mon and thoughtless uses to which it has been put. Another popular slogan of the day is City Promotion. Every live city in the country is exhibiting spirit of aggressivehess which finds vent in some organized manner. Just as the individual or combination of individ- field of action by organized and per- sistent effort. just so must the com
 muuity be continually on the alert if 1t is to realize it's greatest poesibili- ties
 Either "Ehfciency in City Govern ment' or '"The Promotion of City Growth" present vast fields for care full consideration.
 In spite of the great importance of efficiency in city government for it. self alone 1t becomes much more vi- ta! when directly connected with the idea of city growth, as this places a double value upon all factors working toward that end. While we must ack- nowledge that all possibilities of city growth do not come from efficiency in city government, 1t is equally true that all efficiency in city government
 The discussion of this matter will be based, therefore. upon these two assumptions CD that the promotion of Q substantial city growth is a much desired and thoroughly endorsed poll icy of all up-to-date communities, and (2) that efficiency in city government is desired and progressive means toward this end
 In order that we may face the mat ter sQuarely and not build up a Beautiful" but worthless theory as to how it ought to be done, let us con- cider some of the natural obstacles which are met when working out an efficiency program for the average city.
 The points discussed also advance some T0dSOuS WQy IL VIII never U0 possible to- produce units of service at as low cost in municipality as in a private corporation, and am now talking about cost of production and not selling price. Some people have gone so far as to claim that mu- nicipaHty could not be compared with a private corporation in any regard.
 While there may be an element of truth in this statement, fully believe that the Fundamental principles which are applicable in the private corpora ton will also fit the municipality in 90 far as efficiency is concerned
 Anyone studying the problem of ad- ministrative cost cannot help but be faced by, some such question as this,
 Gan a commission of three men rule the city as effectively as a mayor and common council Three things must representation. In looking at the matter purely from money saving standpoint. I have in mind city that could pay each. of three commission CTS. eight thousand dollars per annum, which is three thousand more than the mayor now receives. and yet save fifteen thousand dollars year in the administration of it's affairs. Con- sidered again, the same city could save about eight thousand dollars arl- nually by consolidating the office of it's treasurer and comptroller into a department of finance with one head and at the same time eliminate pres ent Application of work. This Is the kind of economy private corporations would unquestionably practice and expense, yet in the municipality we are obliged to handle these matters very cautiously.
 Majority rule tends to- operate against efficiency in another way. Competent officials must have votes >Y~ @I4 %n6 M0r men enter public office with very firm convictions as to the policy they will pursue, but are forced to sacrifice efH- ciency for patronage. The theory of making appointments strictly on mer- 1t alone is attractive enough. but the it. and the, official who is competent and does do it, is not apt to be fully appreciated. It is one of the very few occasions when man may choose to be a live coward rather than dead hero and still retain his self respect.
 Majority rule under existing condi- tions also tends to develop the big chief or machine boss.
 The spirit of popular demand is again reflected in the time officials are forced to waste. Special favors are continually asked. Business men who wouldn't think of permitting any one to waste the time of their own office will spend hours in wasting the time of public officials, and then wonder why these same officials do not accomplish more.
 Now the trouble is not with the un- derlying principles of government but with the manner in which they are applied. The voter is not fully enough informed. The very fact that the governing power is so complex in it's nature is the greater reason why each voter should carefully inform him. self. In private corporation stock holders and directors take pride in gathering in full the detailed or tech- nical information necessary for reach ing intelligent conclusions. The vo- ter who bases his judgment upon newspaper headlines or the general re- marks and insinuations of the office seeking politician presented during the eleventh hour of a heated campaign is on the wrong track. A much bet ter base of Judgment would have been a clear understanding of the acts of his official representative during the entire term of office. The voters of this country can never hope to judge wisely and we'll until they study carefully and understand fully, and if necessary technically, the work of their representatives.
 Another condition operating against efficiency in our city governments is the fact that the elements of profit are largely absent This is one of the main points for consideration in a private corporation. Comparative net profit usually tells the whole story It boils down to fine point reduced