Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-30
The Proposed District Survey.

The District or Columbia mas peen SO
thoroughly surveyed, investigated and
probed from a hostile instead of SYM
pathetic standpoint, and with hurtful and
destructive rather than helpful and con-
structive results. that IL Is now shy or
further surveying. and naturally shrinhs
when the proposal Is made that 1t be
made the subject OF comprehensive and
thorough study of local social conditions
and government organization methods.
The survey that Is now proposed by the
bureau of municipal research in New
York, however. promises better results
than usually flow from such undertake
ings. Good of some sort or measure
should be derived by the District from
study of its administrative organiza-
ton with a view to It's betterment
through the more systematic adoption OF
business principles and the application OF
the best known practices OF city govern
ment.
rhe proposed survey would deal prima-
rily with the business administration Of
the District, with no tendency whatever
TO interfere with any program of ma
terial constructive work which may be
IN view for the District by the Com
missioners or by Congress. Such work
should be done with as little delay as
possible. and on the broadcast basis, look
ing to the future as well as to the present
welfare of the community Meanwhile.
there is an ample field for inquiry and
reform in the strictly administrative or
sanitation, costing the District almost
nothing. and presumably when effected
Welding a large profit in increased eff
cheney and lessened ratio of cost.
The District can learn with advantage
how organizations are formed and bust
ness matters are handled elsewhere. and
how the municipal administration may be
perfected to yield the best results. 1t
IS true that municipal conditions are
different here from elsewhere, and yet.
regardless of such differences, certain
principles obtain in all sound business or
saniZationS where economy and efficiency
are the watchwords. 1t is the object Of
the proposed survey TO strengthen those
principles in the Districts municipal
system. Already beginning has been
made by the local officials in the working
out of budget proposition. to place the
financial legislation affecting the Dis
trict on a systematic basis This budget
proposal Is the very essence of the main
principle of municipal government which
the proposed survey seeks to establish
here.
The fact that Congress has not APP
proved of the budget plan for the Dis
trict may discourage expectation of Its
approval of the proposed survey, and yet
il Is desirable to press the matter for
consideration in the hope that the spirit
OF constructive inquiry may succeed that
of inquisition. Washington should obtain
benefit from a mere discussion of the
plan. 1t is true that many of the 1900
questions outlined by the bureau of mu-
nicipal research will not apply to WASH
ington. owing to the fact of the exclusive
legislation exercised by Congress, and
still their consideration cannot fail to
Indicate the possibilities of helpful
changes. II. however, Congress re-
fuses to appropriate for the proposed
survey the District officials themselves
can do somewhat In this direction by
pursuing toward all the departments OF
the municipal government the same
course that has been pursued with refer
ence to the budget plan.
These possibilities for good should suf-
fee to overcome the constituencies which
the District naturally feels in respect to
all manner of Investigations. a sensitive
ness born OF unmerited injury and not
OF any consciousness of faults which 1t
i not willing and even eager to correct