Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-24
Would Probe Conditions.

In brief, the Bruere and Mitchell plan
provides for survey which would con-
sist of a comprehensive examination
of the present government of the Dis
trict and the physical and social con-
ditions of the city.
The survey would be conducted, ac-
cording to the plan, with a view. first,
to obtaining at the outset a complete
understanding of the statutes, Judicial
decisions, rules and regulations gov
erning the organization of the Dis
trict and the conduct Of it's affairs,
and, second. ascertaintng. describing
and charting the organization of entire
government down to the smallest
group and the least important member
of the group and In respect OF every
branch of the service.
Things to Be Considered.
In this connection. it is stated, an
swers to such questions as the following
would be sought:
Who is responsible for every detail of
service?
Are there Implications in organization
or inefficiency In the distribution of
functions?
Does the government adequately con-
troll the property committed to It?
Is the District government, unlike most
time without investigation the amount OF
it's assets and the amount OF revenues
due the government, hut not yet paid into
the Treasury the balance of accounts.
including outstanding liabilities:
It is stated that some 1900 similar
questions. based on knowledge of GUS
tomary deficiencies, have been framed
for use in municipal surveys.
One Important Feature.
An. important feature of the proposed
survey is the inquiry that would be
made concerning the relation of the gov
ernment of the District to Congress.
INQUIRY would be made to learn to
what extent the control and supervision
exercised over the District government
by Congress restricts administrative d.
rection Of the Commissioners and takes
away from responsible omc1a.S 1reedcm
in planning and executing their work.
Analysis would be made Of the character
of information placed before Congress
as a basis for it's action in respect to
the District government. Finally, the
survey, 1T is stated. would seek to de-
termine whether the congressional Dis
trict committee is so organized as to be
kept fully and currently Informed on the
affairs Of the District.
Relation to Community.
Another important SuDJcCt 10 NC ol0uiSu
in connection with the survey, as pro-
vided for in the Bruere and Mitchell plan.
is the relation of the District govern
ment to the community. 1t is suggested
that as a preliminary step to the survey.
there be organized among the officials
and employees of the District cooperative
committee for each of the most important
divisions of the study. In addition. 1t
is suggested that, supplementing these
committees there be organized consult
ing committees for specific problems or
departments. consisting of experts. select
ed. as largely as possible. from among
officials in American cities.
Funds for the survey. it is proposed,
shall be obtained either from present ap-
propriations for District purposes or
I Congress shall be asked to app opriate
specially for the work. If these methods
fail private subscriptions should be en-
listed for the purposes of the survey. it
is urged.