davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
CLEANING OUT THE DUSTY CORNERS LEFT
BY MIR. AHEARN.

Then came the election in 1909 We had started
a number of pieces of constructive work to effect
the changes that have made efficient administra-
ton possible in New York. Mr. McAneny, then
President of the Borough Of Manhattan, asked us
10 come to his department to help him clean
house. worked there for three months, night
and day. | had charge Of staff of seven or eight
men, a number of assigned by Mr.. Gaynor
from the office of the Commissioners of Accounts
and number of men assigned by Mr.. McAneny.
We went through that department from cellar to
attic cleaning out the corners left by Mr.. Ahearn.
Controller Prendergsst asked us to continue
our work in his department. Mr. Cleveland worked
in the Finance Department with the Controllers
men all winter finishing the accounting reor-
ganizaton. OF course, we worked shoulder to
shoulder with Mr.. Mitchell in his work in the
Board of Estimate. We had formulated a very
definite programme for the city and for the
Board Of Estimate during the four years of our
contact with city affairs.
The members of the administration were
inexperienced in Board Of Estimate work Mr..
Mitchell had had very little contact with the Board
of Estimate In December the fusion members Of
the board held meeting in Mr.. Prendergast's
house. and for that meeting prepared about eight
or nine resolutions providing for the continuance
OF constructive work begun by the previous admin
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09

Metz said: THAT sounds like horse sense to me;
that seems to me to be practical way of going
about this business" He then asked US to come
TO his Office to show him the statements.
Well, we did We were asked to come IN not
only to show the statements, but to help make
that years budget. SO we got into this whole
problem Now budget making in New York City
for all departments is carried in the same way
that we made the budget for the Health Depart
ment that year Only the accounts now give the
facts accounts which we helped to design and to
install. and the work is done as a routine matter
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09

by city employees and not by outside experts.
That little experiment in budget making has
changed the method of making budgets in prac-
tically every important city in the United States.
great many men had been appealed to from
time to time TO give contributions to civic organl-
cations. to support this or that new undertaking
and a multitude of needs that people want in a
great city which the government ought to supply
and is now supplying Mr. Allen said: This is
the tvpe Of man who ought to be supporting an
agency such as the bureau, because the greatest
'philanthropist' is the city government Why do
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
"HOw MANHATTAN Is GOVERNED" BRINGS
FORTH 4 DENIAL FROM AHEARN.

In the fall of 1906, after election $50 that there
would be no question Of political activity we
published our first large report on "How Manhat-
tan Is Governed" Mr.. Ahearn denied the state
ments of fact contained in our report and asked
Mayor Mcclellan for an investigation by the
Commissioners Of Accounts. That investigation
was started. Mr. Mitchell then selected by
Mr. Ellison as Special Corporation Counsel to as
sist the Commissioners of Accounts. One Of the
first things he did was to get in touch with me.
We worked together day and night on the Ahearn
case until Governor Hughes removed Ahearn in
December, 1907, for waste and incompetence al
belt there is no proof Of corruption We have
been working together ever since.
That was the public service side of our nvesti-
CATION. We chose a department the results Of
whose efficiency or ineficiency every one could
see. Every one knew the streets were in bad
condition We did not say the streets were bad
because Mr.. Ahearn was a member of Tammany
Hall. or because Mr. Low was defeated, but we
showed they were bad because contract specihca-
tions were not enforced because bad asphalt was
being used, because inspectors failed to inspect,
etc. and how these conditions might be corrected.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09

we not find out about the millions OF dollars ''''
400 aro srondipg on public hospitals before We
osL for $4,000 for a private hospital or play
Ground or for a society for the prevention OF
tuberculosis"
He mt that proposition before Mr.. Rockefeller
ord Mr. Carnegie. He and prepared brief for
.,broissior 70 Mr.. Carnegie. He sent US down -
tho CARNEGIE Institution in Washington. That
,.o,. tho first contribution was made for municipal
ro,.oorcb in addition to Mr.. Cuttings contrlbu-
tio, first bv Mr.. Carnegie and then by Mr. Rookie
rorror II was a new idea to them. We raised
$40 ooo this second year, principally from these
three men.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
Sl2 900 FROM MR.. CUTTING FOR ORGANIZA-
TION OF AGENCY

Mr.. Cutting realized the limitations of reform
through politics and thought we'll Of the plan,
because he knew that when it came to making
good on campaign promises and 70 fulfilling
pledges il meant knowing the definite things that
government consisted Of, doing them well and
knowing that they well done.
This was in the fall Of 1905; Mr.. Mcclellan
was Mayor Mr.. Cutting gave $4,000 for the
organization Of an agency to gather facts and
10 publish them regarding the current business
Of city government as ] said, without political
or personal bias Because Of his connection with
the Citizens Union, and because he felt that If
this idea proved successful the future work Of the
Citizens Union ought TO be based upon this &C
emulation Of facts, he made il a bureau Of the
Citizens Union organizing for this purpose
special committee. Il called the Bureau OF
City Betterment for the first year and half.
came to New York in the fall OF 1905 and DIS
eussed with Mr.. Allen opportunities for SOCIAL or
<7ie work in New York had been engaged on
-orK Of that character in Chicago for two years
or more Il was at this time that he was dis
cussing with Mr.. Cutting the plan for city fact
bureau and as test Of my capacity he assigned
me 10 an investigation Of public baths Of New
York City Mr. Allen chose the public baths be-
cause the A. !. c. p brought about the establish
ment Of public baths in New York City. Great
sums Of money had been appropriated by the city
for baths. II was felt that somehow or other the
baths were utilized quite much TO give jobs 20
unnecessary employees to provide bathing facii-
ties for the public. He put it up TO me TO find
out what had been done with this money, whether
plans properly carried out, whether the
baths were fully utilized what it cost to run
them, etc. ! turned in that job and worked
il for two months.
Along in December Mr.. Cutting asked me if /
would like TO take the headship Of the proposed
new bureau, and Of course | was delighted with
the opportunity. On January l, 1906 started 10
organize the bureau.
The report public baths gave me my first
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09

Then I raised The question ABOUT having the
bureaus work free from any question Of political
activity. Also it becoming clear that we
were opening up a new field of scientific research.
It was easy enough to what was wrong but
not always easy to see what was the right thing
to do In order to find out what was the right
thing to do we had to study and investigate and
carry on the same sort of Investigations that
scientific institutions have to carry on to work
out solutions of their problems. So we said; Let
us crystalline this idea of having work thoroughly
impersonal and generally based on fact and speak
of it as research work" Then it was we decided
on the name Bureau of Municipal Research
Mr. Allen was then asked to come into the
organization to raise additional funds. Mr..
Mcclellan, Mr. Metz and Mr.. Mitchell were offer
ing us every opportunity for cooperation. We
had the whole field of government to work IN. 1t
was an opportunity that comes once in life time.
Mr. Allen reluctantly gave up his connection with
the A. l. c. p. and came into the bureau to propa-
gandize the undertaking, to make people under
stand what it was, and to raise funds for ITS
expansion.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
HOW NEW YORK CITYvS GOVERNMENT WAS REORGAWZEL
Leader of Body Which Trained a Searchllght
on MaIadniniStratiOn of NeW YOrkS
Affairs Talks of the Rockefeller 1
Funds Matter, Recently Aired.

istration or for new constructive work. The
bers Of the board discussed the programme
me and passed the resolutions at the second e.
inc If the board in January. as ! had dr. ID
them Committees we're appointed on g y
Standardization. supply Standardization, pre- "a.
ton Of the tax and corporate stock budgets &c
Those resolutions. embodying our four yea =
experience. gave impetus TO the York Of the new
Board Of Estimate and represented the kind Of
thing which an institution such as the bureau
should be expected to do-that is, TO furnish tie
means Of bridging the gap when changes Of ad-
ministration occur because otherwise govern
mcnt progresses by series Of galvanic starts
without continuous improvement Officials sci.
dom look 90 their predecessors IN Office 20 se-
quaint them with the business Of their depart.
ncnts so that generally the principal business Of
a new administration is 10 conduct a school q
instruction in first principles for commissioning.
Edward H. Hartman as a business man became
Interested in the bureau throug. Mr. Cutting and
Mr. Allen. He realized that government mds,
necessarily be in the same condition be which
railroad would find itself If IL were run b. mez
who had no knowledge Of what was happening in
its various departments. He saw clearly that
nublic business and private business are much
like. so far as administration is concerned After
Mr Harrimans death Mrs. Hartman became in
terested. One Of our principal difficulties was
that with the growing demand on ~ for help By
other cities we had continually 20 give up on best
men. She ssid "Why shouldn't yoG do for mu-
nicipal research what we have done for railroad
management conduct a training school for public
service. as we conduct an apprentice school IN our
shops. and as a number Of other corporations are
doing"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
Report on City Conference

some advantage gained in having proportional
representation in the employees general confer
cnce but decided disadvantage would result
from too unwieldy body, and representation out
OF all proportion to the Importance Of a vocation
must be guarded against One and additional
representative for every eighteen hundred would
make this central body total approximately thirty
FIVE. Proportional representation on the basis Of
the numerical strength of each vocation should
also be applied to the departmental conference,
and this same proportion should hold good for the
employees vocational conference.
PROV cr should be made, far as possible,
to assure the representation Of both sexes in the
departmental, vocational and general employees
conferences To this end it seems wise, where
either Sex in vocation amounts to one-fourth OF
the total number, that at least one Of each sex
should have representation This would only fol-
low when this vocation, according to the proper
t,cnal basis was entitled to more than one repre-
sentative For instance, by this arrangement one
OF tho two representatives from the Department
Of Education, whore the female employees are in
the majority, would nave to be male. This same
iu. tice will he given the female employees in those
vocations where the male outweighs the female
employees
PROGRAMME FOR EMPLOYEES GENERAL AND
VOCATIONAL CONFERENCES.
suggestive programme for the Employees
General and Vocational Conferences is outlined
as follows in Professor Lamke's report:
j. Retirement plans and pension systems. tCO-
operation with pension committee)
.. Compensation for accidents and Illness.
3. Employees grievances.
I. Employees betterment. Thrift, sick relief,
loan funds. health, etc)
;. Departmental methods.
6. Recreation.
T. Suggestion and advice.
The programme for the Vocational Conference
covers:
|. Standardization of work.
>. Efficiency.
3. Wages.
with this democratic plan for organizing the
Employees Conference in operation" according
to the report every occupation in the city is
sure of representation; the female employees
would have representation in each of the En-
ployes' Conferences. It breaks down the Chinese
wall between departments, making possible an
exchange Of ideas and Standardization Of work,
wages. hours, etc, and classification OF work
ers into grades. furnishing incentive to seek
promotion through efficiency. 1t allows for
easier transfer from one department to the other.
1t would work for better esprit de corps among
employees. mutual benefit is derived both
by the empoye and the city an employer
committee Of three. with an executive sec
rotary, 20 take immediate steps to organize the
employees Of the city of New York, is proposed.
Professor Lamke suggests that one employe
should be elected by the department heads, one
should be appointed by the Civil Service COM
mission and the third member of the committee
ha tod nv he
These three members and an executive secretary
would form the betterment committee for the
City Employees Conference
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09

~HE plan to give the city employees voice
in the running of the various city de-
partments is now ready to be put into
Ia operation committee on employees
conference was appointed by the Mayor at
the first meeting of his Cabinet, consisting
Of DR.. Henry Moskowitz chairman; City
Chamberlain Bruere and Commissioner Williams
Of the Department Of Water Supply, Gas and
Electricity and it has thoroughly investigated the
proposal for the organization Of central confer
ence committee for city employees, which was
suggested originally by Mr.. Bruere to the Mayor
last spring
In a communication to the Mayor the commit
tee reports:
after careful consideration of the plan pro-
posed by the City Chamberlain to organize All
employees conference committee to consider ques-
tions affecting the relationship of city employees
20 the city government desire 10 report that,
in our judgment, such a conference would be
beneficial to the employees and of value in the ef-
icient administration of the'cty.
1--WE recommend, a preliminary step, that the
representatives of the principal organizations Of
employees and the representatives Of each depart
ment come together to discuss with your commit
tee the best means Of effecting a permanent or
ganization'
Mayor Mitchell heartily approves the plan and
suggests the selection OF a permanent committee
as first step.
PROFESSOR LAMkIE SUBMITS REPORT
SHOWING FEASIBILITY OF PLAN.
Professor William Lamkie director Of the Gov
eminent House, which is in connection with
the School of Commerce of New York University,
has submitted to Mr.. Bruere comprehensive re-
port on his investigation of the cooperative rela
tions between employers and employees in private
industrial concerns 1t shows conclusvely how
similar plan can be made to work in the city
service
The study Of the college expert covered five OF
the largest establishments in this country, where
plans Of organization typical and where they
were operated under very much the same condi
items as exist in tha several departments Of the
government Of the City Of New York. Professor
Lamkie has worked out plan of organization for
city employees. together with plans for boards of
promotion and discipline. He advocates repre-
sentation on the basis of a classification by voca-
ton and proportional representation on the
basis Of one and an additional representative to
each eighteen hundred city employees. The organi-
cation plan calls for:
Cd City employees general conference.
% City employees clerical conference
CD Department employees conference.
The classification is based upon thorough
study Of the vocational work Of the city depart
ments and the vacations suggested by the civil
service committee Of the Technical League of
America. "Such plan Of organization for
ployes' conference says Professor Lamkie, "will
assure democratic representation. II is based on
a classification by vocation. The classification OF
fourteen occupations for male employees and the
division Of departments Of the city government
into twenty-five have been arbitrarily taken for
the purpose Of discussion. There appeays " bs
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
A TRAINING SCHOOL FOR MUNICIPAL RE
SEARCH WORK.

To start this training school Mrs. Harriman
gave $4,000 for the first year and $4,000 for four
wears following. and herself raised $4,000 in
addition for four years. The money was given as
a result of Mr.. Aliens success IN interesting her
in the whole programme of municipal research
The results Of these eight years Of municipal re-
search are conclusivey these: Il has definitely
put on the map the idea that government is not
merely political institution, but service institu-
ton. and the way TO obtain service is TO organize
for service, through following those principles Of
administration which you must follow in con-
Quoting any other great enterprise. It has
popularized efficiency backed up By a definite,
social purpose, not merely efficiency for eieen-
cy's sake, but efficiency to get there.
The Bureau of Municipal Research has brought
about redcfnition of city government IN New
York II has made administrative success poss.
bic. it has converted the graveyard of ambitions
into fertile field of achievement.
can say these things now, for am no longera
mart of the bureau. 1t would be calamity 10
have the bureaus work curbed or stopped. We
shall need this outside, citizen insstence on doing
the work of the government in the right way Tor
the next twenty-five years at least The same
method applied to the state government would
stop the heartrendng exhibitions Of malad'
minstration that are constantly coming to light
in state affairs.
In these eight years about million and h"H
dollars has been spent in New York and else
where in promoting efficient, progressive govern
ment through municipal research. Bureaus sim
liar 20 the New York bureau have been ORGANIZE
in seven other cities. and the New York oursti
has done work in fifty cities. President Iaits
Economy and Efficiency Commission was organ
lied as the result Of the bureaus work, with Dr
Cleveland as its head.
You ask m, about Mr. Rockefellors conneetion
with the work of the bureau. Mr.. Rockefeller
has been interested in the bureau since 1907 ana
has been generous. but by no means the prw'
cipal, contributor to its work. During all thess
years Mr. Allen for the bureau, submitted grea'
nany different propositions to the Rocketeler'
to finance special studies of municipal subjees
and for the general bureau work. Every appeal
was to promote some public interest through m
crcasng the efficiency Of public department
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
DIR. CLEVELAND TAKES CHARGE OF REOR-
GANIZATION OF ACCOUNTING METHODS.

Just at that time had been specifically re-
ouested by Mr. Metz to cooperate in recognizing
the cty's accounting methods, and we invited DIR.
Cleveland to take charge Of this work for US SO
the three Of US were put in charge Of the newly
incorporated bureau, each of us in more or less
definite field in general supervision of the
work Mr. Allen in fund raising and publicity and
Mr.. Cleveland in the technical aspects. board
of trustees was organized, with DR.. +. r. A. Seig-
man. and later DR.. Albert Shaw, chairman.
All during the Mcclellan administration we
had a wide open door Before he went out of
Office the idea had spread out to other cities.
Philadelphia, its reform movements defeated time
after time, said: 1--WE have spent millions of dol
lars trying to break up a political ring. Perhaps
we can get some things done without political
victory" Men who financed these reform cam
paigns financed a survey of Philadelphia and then
organized bureau. That has been going on since
1908 The next year similar conclusion was
reached by Cincinnati. We sent two of our men
to Cincinnati Then other cities asked to come
in. We sent accountants and Investigators to
prepare an impersonal statement of facts. Then
we pointed out what was wrong with conditions
from a common sense business standpoint and
offered constructive suggestions for their cor
rection.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
THE ROCKEFELLERS GIVE 100000 FOR 2
LICE INVESTIGATION.

Sometimes he was successful He obta.ned
from them last year. for example $4,000 for the
police investigation conducted by the Curran al
dermanic committee. The bureau was financed.
five years ago on a basis of one-ffth reduction
each year, Mr.. Rockefeller being one Of great
mary contributors TO this fve-year period. This
year. the last year of Mr.. Roekefeer's five years
subscription, ] understand the bureau raised
question with Mr. Rockefeller regarding the con
tnuance of his regular contribution. lie raised
certain questions to policy, as to whether OF
not the bureau should conduct investigations oil
schools and devote so much time 20 out.of-to"A
work. his idea being that the bureau, IN order %
conduct educational Investigations, would have TO
have large equipment, such as they have pro
yided for the General Education Board, and that
the out-of-town work detracted from its efforts
here in New York Mr. Allen felt, the rest Of
us felt that no gift should be accepted with cor
ditions limiting the bureaus work. Il was a mat
t. Of principle and precedent. In this ] under
stand MIR Rockefeller aequiesced.
As to internal relations, there has arisen
condition which is almost inevitable. In an or
ganization which in 1907 IL thought would
expand into a great foundation, two men Of exec
utive ability cannot cover the same territory IN
less there is wide elbow room. Mr.. Cleveland has
had his full sway in Washington, and Mr.. Ailen
had his field here in New York. There was DIS
agreement on policies and a clash resulted mad
hoped that the matter might come to an amieso'e
adjustment by distinct separation Of responsisii'
ity. Mr. Allen has done very effective work. lie
is an extremely able His work in the sehool
field has been remarkably stimulating 20 sehooi
men throughout the country. lie is primarily an
educator. Mr.. Cleveland is an extraordinary
able technician. Both exceptional men, they are
unusually supplementary, one Of the other. bu'
the personal equation counts, TOO, and for tAs
time, at least, that TO be out Of adjustment
| am sorry that IL is so. for ! am vitality inter
ested in the success Of 1.-The bureau and m tHs
continued effective public service Of both MI
Cleveland and Mr. Alen{