The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-18
SAYS PITTSBURGH EFFICIENCY Elk.
PERT IN INTERESTING ADDRESS
TO Y. n. H. A. CHAuTAUQUA
Lands the Nearly Newspaper a. Most
Efficient Agent For keeping tne
.CttiEeuxhlp Informed.

That it is form proper administration.
and not from tho form OF government
that the greatest success is oDtalnco
in tho management of the city of today
vas the keynote Of an able address de-
liycred before the ChautauQua branch
Of the Young Mems Hebrew Association
last evening by tn" Hon. George a:
Levy. of Pittsburgh, chi:f or chlc'ehcS
standards Of that city.
Mr.. Lcvy's address attracted good
sized audience to the y. NJ. IL. A as
scmbly rooms al twelfth ana NaIH
streets, and those who were 8" fortnh-
than repaid for their evening. R"hhi
\. II. Silver, Of the Eoff street Tempt.
congregation, presided aS chairman OF
the meeting and introduced the orator
Of tho occasion who was cnthusiaSNcai-
" received and repeatedly applaudcd as
he cnun ciatcd his ideas Of "Efrici"ncy ct
city Government" and related interest
ing experiences from his own career
which hRs won him national fame rs an
efficiency expert.
magic In those words" the speaker be-
gan What power. what magnetic IN
tluencc they do have. that they find
place in every political platform.
THE problem Of the city of today ana
tomorrow" Mr.. Levy said in part. 'ts
essentially one Of administration, and
to that end all changes of city charters
have been directed: still, II Is StranE" 10
nCte. in spite Of tn" great advance Am
crlcan cities have made during the past
forty years. in tho direction uf clean
and efficient government. in the many
charter changes granting various now
forms Of government. that II is from
propcr administration and not from the
form Of government that the greatest
Successes have been obtained.
Intelligent Citizenship Essential.
"rhn FIRST essential tn an efficient
administration is an intelligent citizen
ship and an enlightened public opinion.
We may change our charters and forms
ballots, VIZ may have non-partiSun -
elections. but all to no avail. if tho vot-
crs Of a City,nrc illitrratc or uninform-
ed. II the voters are good men and
true then their form of city govern,
mrnt and administrative methods will
not he far wrong.
ITO publicity we must look to instruct
the people In public affairs. Every
agency that can hc used II make people
think should be pressed into service.
The daily newspaper Is The most potent
force in the world today for developing
an Intelligent citizenship. The daily
newspaper. with accurate and authori-
tative data before il. GiNcn to its vast
audience n sound civic cducation. Ono
may not agree with Il pcprr'S editorial
policy but with its news columns con-
taining vital information about city adj
ministration we arc all agreed. and citi-
zcns become impressed and Influenced
thereby ,.....
= After dealing interestingly with tho
essentials Of an efficient city govern
mcnt. Mr.. Levy summed them in tho fol-
lowing:
First-An Interested and Informed
citizenship. This IS vital. Officials
should obtain hearty corporation Of tho
daily newspan "rs as we'll as all. civic or
ganizations.
Second-A workable charter. Simple
and effective. Always containing Home
Rule Provision.
Third-Propcr departmental orGanza-
tion.
Fourth--Thc principles Of Civil Scr
vice properly applied: the appointment
Of all city employees BY thc merit sys-
tenn alone.
Fifth-The Standardization Of saIar-
les. duties, qualifications and promo
tions for MI employees.
Sixth--Modnrn accounting cost and
reporting systems. without which the.
city government is as helpless as 4 shir
without ruddcr.
There arc other factors. Ia. said. but
with energies directed to the fuinllmrmt
of these. tho rest will follow
The higher tho standards far nnl-
rlnycs. tn" higher tho standards ~ poll
teal intelligence Of tho voters the
higher will br tho standard Of officials
elected. and more efficient thr city GOV
eminent.