The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-24

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feit that there should be 9 permanent budget
exhibit OF samples, labeled with their cost and
now they may be used economically.
At present 1t s probable that very few ON
ployees know anything about these matters. II
every employee of the department Of streets
and water supply, for example. knew the cost
OF every implement and bit OF material that
enter Into his days work 1t is considered that
such knowledge would inspire him with sense
of economy in their use that would result In q
considerable saving to the city.
The experience OF many private Industrial
concerns shows the importance OF providing
for the health and certain amount OF recrea-
tion OF all wage earners. Recreation quarters
fitted with shower baths. perhaps a swimming
pool. with gymnastic apparatus. bowling alleys,
possibly billiard tables, and on. are among
the suggestions. a library and reading rooms
for the OF employees OF each department Is
another suggestion.
But OF special interest to ambitious young
city employees will be the quite definite inten-
tion to offer opportunities for special training
--draughtsmanship, electrical and mechanical
engineering. chemistry. and 80 forth. 1t is
recognized that great many employees arc
capable Of greatly increasing the value of their
services to the city IL enabled in this way to
develop their natural technical bent
hospital and ambulance service exclu.
sively for city employees Is another idea under
consideration.
The periodic conferences will discuss every
feature OF municipal management and service.
systems OF promotion. the increase Of wages
through efficiency, progressive methods OF
remuneration-all these matters OF vital in.
terest to every employee personally. they viii
have voice in. well In questions affect.
Ing the value OF their services to the public.
Mr.. Bruere remarks that there Ia now a
pressing need for a general revision OF practi.
cally every retirement system The pension
commission Is now at work upon this problem,
and Its successful solution will be greatly
helped by the intelligent aid OF employees them.
selves.
Mr.. Bruere's recommendations concerning
farming for promotion and special positions
point out that under present conditions such
training as Is provided for city EMPLOYEES ia
chiefly furnished by special civil service schools
where candidates are coached for admission to
the civil service. After admission. except In
the police and fire departments where recruit
no means provided for training city employees
he ind and equal need for training employees
TOT advancement In other branches OF the SER
vice. This training may be provided by special
courses in the night high schools. In the uni
Versities. In City College. or. as has been sug
gested from time to time. by special courses
conducted for city employees. considerable
courses on city business given by the Train
Ing School for Public Service OF the Bureau
of Municipal Research.
great many bright young men Mr. Bruere
remarks, are coming into the service as Junior
clerks. They have been we'll educated in the
public schools OF the city along general lines
To advance in the civil service they should
have special training. He cannot oyer-em.
phasize the Importance of this training II Is
recognized now by every progressive oornora.
ton manager. "The city" he says rs literally
wasting vast amount OF ability In the hun.
dreds of young employees which should be
developed and utilized through training Here
is one of the greatest opportunities for economy
available to us.