The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1913-11-20
UNIVERSITY OFFERS
AID TO PEOPLE
November 10. 1913.

ANUNNNAGA ~ Aslcs
Editor Glacier: In order TO assist
and serve the communities of the state
in their expanding and developing life,
the UnDersity of Oregon has estah-
lished a department which has for its
purpose the accumulation Of informa-
tion on topics which concern the gen.
eral welfare, and the distribution Of
this data by means Of package librar-
les, and specially prepared reports,
among interested communities.
Busy officials often do not have time
TO keep up with the latest develop
ments In the fields Of public account
ing, city planning, government or
! ganizatiOn, such as the commission
! government or city management plan
and the treatment of defective and de-
! liBuuent classes. This department
plans TO collect the results of the ex-
perience Of other cities and eommuni
| ties throughout the country and make
all this information available for those
who wish TO know what is the best
| thought on their respective problems.
More specifically, the department
aims to do the following for the COM
munities Of Oregon:
!. To provide expert information on
the problems which are arising in con-
nection with municipal administration,
as for example, the problems connected
with street paving, park adminstra-
ton, police and fire protection, water |
supply systems, and questions connect |
ed with the operation or regulation of |
public utilities.
2. To assist and direct by cores
pondence and personal conferences,
communities which desire social sur
veys made, either of all the activities
of the community, or of any special |
phase of its life. Never before have |
men and women been so conscious of |
the need of knowing the facts about |
their communities. All real construc-
tive work must start with fact basis.
3. To cooperate with boards of
county commissioners, city officials.
health officers superintendent of work
houses, county and state asylums,
supervisors of the poor, so that the
best information and best way of con-
ducting the public business may be
placed at the disposal of every public
official.
4. To cooperate with county and
city treasurers and auditors, and other
financial officials, and to give advice
the installation of up to date
methods of controlling receipts and
and modern practices
with auditing vouchers, pur-
chasing supplies, and letting contracts.
5. To cooperate with voluntary soci-
eties such as commercial clubs,
associations, welfare
leagues, health societies, women's
clubs, etc, in working out plans for
social betterment programs and with
county superintendents and county
school boards with special reference to
the finances of rural schools.
No more useful method of presenting
IDEAS has been invented than the ex-
lbit, often in connection with a series
If lectures to arouse interest and CO.
operation. Any municipality in the
Itate that is interested in this method
If presenting community needs should
consult with the extension department
If the University.
This department stands ready to tell !
you what has been done elsewhere and
what may be done in your community.
t wishes to be useful in the service of
he communities of the state. Every
where communities are becoming con-
cious of needs not met, and of oppor-
unites neglected. AS soon as this
exists, a new RESPONSE
)ility rests upon the community. 1t is {
rot a question of whether our schools !
ire as efficiently conducted or our
treets as clean as in other cities, but
t is a question of whether our schools
md streets and city administration are
he best we can have.
@The extension department is peculi- .
rly well fitted this year to cooperate I
With the towns of the state in this I
work, either by correspondence, lee (
ures or personal conferences, as it
low has upon its regular extension I
aeulty Prof d. C. Sewers, who has q
peciaized along the lines of political
md social science at Columbia Univer =
ity, New York, and has for some time [
)een connected with the Training 9
School for Public Service, which is 7
by the Bureau of Municipal I
Research. Before coming to Oregon (
le had practical experience in various ?
.ity departments of New York City .
lhu pdltlCIpdttu ny cooperating with
governmental officials in the prepara-
ion of the present budget which was
'oted on October 81, and carried ap- I
1roprations amounting to nearly $780, a
lOC, 600. He is thus especially we'll fit a
ed to give advice and suggestions Q
leaIing with the financial operations of :
titles, and to advise with local officials
'egarding the installation of up to date
accounting systems and the modern
methods of business procedure.
Any community interested in these I
opportunities should address the
Municipal Reference Bureau,
University Extension Department,
Eugene, Oregon.