Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-07-16
Efficiency BOARD
|. SUGGESTS CHANGE
Would Make Light Plant En-
gineer Assistant to Water
Superintendent.

The appointment of Henry Berg,
chief engineer of the municipal light
ing plant. as assistant to Water Su-
perintendent Isaac N Travis with
the view of increasing the efficiency
in the water department, was the ini-
tial recommendation of the recently
selected efficiency and economy
commission of Orange, which was
submitted verbally to the Common
Council of that city last night.
John K. Gore was the spokesman
of the commission. He said the COM
mission deemed the recommendation
advisable for numerous reasons, es-
pecially as Mr.. Travis should have
an assistant because of his advanced
age. Inefficiency in the water de-
partment was limited at by Mayor
Frank j. Murray, who appointed the
commission, but the executive ex-
planned he did not believe the blame
rests on the shoulders of Mr.. Travis.
Bookkeeping in the department is
poor" declared the mayor, land Mr..
Travis cannot be expected to do all
that must be done. Mr.. Travis's out
side duties prevent him from keep
ing the records satisfactorily, and /
believe Mr.. Berg could relieve him
of some of the large amount of work
he is called upon to do"
Question Wisdom of Change.
Whether Mr.. Berg could aid Mr..
Travis and keep up the efficiency of
the lighting plant was questioned by
most of the councilmen, who voiced
IN or n
to Mr.. Travis. Councilman Heberling
declared he could not see the neces-
sity of an assistant to Mr. Travis.
There is sufficient help in the de-
partment to run it properly, he said,
what is needed" continued Mr.
Heberling, ''is some one to direct the
employees and compel them to do all
that is required"
President Fineran, of the Common
Council, asked Mayor Murray whether
the inefficiency he alluded to prevailed
in former years or just this year. The
executive replied it was in former
years as well as now.
Appointment of a general superin-
tendent was favored by Councilman
Patrick Quinn, who expressed the
opinion that the efficiency of the
lighting plant would be impaired If
Mr.. Berg had other duties to attend
to. Councilman Owen Casey dis
agreed with the commission that Mr.
Berg would not necessarily have to
be outside when attending to the
duties as assistant water superinten-
dent.
That Mr.. Berg is not an authority
on water problems was asserted by
Councilman Owen Dolan. 'He is an
excellent engineer" declared the lat
ter, but I don't believe he should
be called upon to attend to water
matters"
Other Changes in Mind
Joseph D. Holmes, a member of
Che commission, expressed much con-
fldence in Mr. Bergs ability, declar-
Ing the latter has studied water prob
lens in other cities.
President Fineran wanted to know
# consideration has been given the
suggestion of merging the water and
sewer departments with the city en-
gineer at the head. Mr.. Holmes said
the members had discussed the mat
ter and added that the commission
has under consideration other recon-
mendations such as the erection of
a storehouse where all supplies could
be kept with someone in charge who
would be able to adopt record
system of all goods purchased and
distributed.
The recommendation of Mr., Berg's
appointment will be submitted in
writing and the Common Council will
refer it to the water and street light
Ing committee for consideration.