Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-12

Scientific management. supplanting con-
tractor rule in the Department of Public
Works, has meant a saving of S4,200,0O0
for the taxpayers Of Philadelphia during
the four years of the present administra-
tlon, according to the fourth and last
annual report of Director Morris L.
Cooke, just submitted to the Mayor.
Even greater savings might have been
effected, Director Cooke believes had 1t
been possible utterly to eliminate political
influences and to secure proper co-opera-
ton from Councils. OF the total saving
accomplished s3,OOOO00 was saved during
the years 1912, 1913 and 1914, and for the
present year the estimate Is S1,2O0,OOO The
figures>were reached by a comparison OF
expenditures under the present admin
istratlon with those under former ones.
BLAME ON COUNCILS.
The failure of Councils to act upon the
"gasollne-to-gas" ordinance, which would
save the city annually $4,000 without the
outlay of a single cent, Is strongly scored
by the Director. Councils refusal to act
for the best interests of the people In
this matter not only has meant an an
nual loss to the city, but has withheld
much needed improvement in the light
ing system, he says.
The recommendation is made that the
city conduct its own street cleaning work
in the future. The Director explains that
Philadelphia is the only one OF 25 large
cities In which this work ia done by con-
tract The report continues, 80 long as
the Messrs. Vare-Edwin and William
continue to be the dominant forces in our
legislative halls this abuse is likely to be
continued
The "absurdly high rates" of the Phila-
delphia Electric Company are cited as
great cause of needless expense to the
city. In reference to the efforts OF the
department to better this condition the
report states:
1--WE have made number of attempts
to secure from Councils at first the mod
crate sum of 5000 and later $4,000 in
order to adequately present the case
against the Philadelphia Electric Com
pany before the Public Service Commits
sion. Not one penny has been appropri-
ated by Councils for the Philadelphia
Electric case.
Director Cooke places particular em-
phasis upon the introduction OF "humani-
tartan" reforms among the employees OF
the department. which has meant new
vision in the direction of affairs. Waste
and petty graft thus have been virtually
eliminated and the morale OF the stan OF
1000 employees has been elevated. To this
has been added the Standardization or
business methods and the installation or
safety and labor-saving devices.
FINANCIAL REFORMS.
Giving in brief the financial reforms ac-
cornplished, the report states:
''The 1000 odd employees OF this depart
nent have effected economies which
make our operation and maintenace eN-
penses more than 100000 year less in
1914 than they were in l911 At the same
time. Judged by the test of willing ana
efficient service, moneys expended ana
volume Of work accomplished, the year
iust closed has been the best in the his
tory OF the department
"During the three years ending De-
eennber 81, 1914, we expended S34,267OOO.
Those OF us who are in responsible
charge Of the work OF the department be-
ueve that this money has been honestly
expended-yes, not excepting any ono
dollar in this vast sum.
'sThe total savings in operation and
maintenance for three years up TO date
have been we'll over 100000, and for the
wear 1915 we estimate 81 100000 more.
This is divided by bureaus as follows;
FJighways. a,ls0O00; Water, Sl,202, 800;
Iishting, $4,000 and City Property,
10000. In this no mention is made OF
a vast saving effected through obtaining
dedtcations OF street beds as against the
old method OF the city having TO pay
heavy damages for opening streets.
1--WE have only mentioned In tnis state
ment the larger savings efrected-thoss