Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-30
Time for Survey I. Now

IF Richmond's city government desires to re-
tain the confidence OF ItichmoDd's people
the Fiuance Committee will recommend and
the Council will adopt resolution providing
for survey of all the departments by the
New York Bureau Of Municipal Research.
Refusal to provide for and TO welcome such
all investigation Will be construed by the
public desire to conceal netticiency ami
waste
There is no real doubt of the ftuess OF
the New York bureau for this task 1t has
been Endorsed by those men in every section
of the country, who arc conceded to he
America 5 foremost authorities on city govern
meni. The bureau has received the special
and enthusiastic approval of John Purroy
Mitchell. the present Mayor Of New York. who
has drawn the METROPOLIS from the verge Of
bankruptcy and made its administration both
respectable and respected
Nor is this all. The bureau has made sub
stantia contributions by its daily labors---
the labors To perform which il was organized
to IL: very efficiency for which Mayor
Mitchell and his associates have received the
credit II has aided other cities which have
called on ii for help 10 find aud keep the
difficult path of good government. II has
contributed as largely ne any other single
agency 10 the reform OF that condition which
led james Bryce. ablest of commentators anu
friendliest nj critics. to declare: There is
no denying that the government OF cities is
the one conspicuous failure OF the United
States -"
The time has passed when American mu-
nlc'pal government. speaking generally, was
married by the grusscr forms OF dishonesty
and graft. When such cases arise NOWADAYS
the country. instead Of accepting them as
commonplace. is much surprised as il is
by revelations OF organized crookedness in
the affairs of large corporations 1t is not
dishonesty. but incompetency. not graft but
waste. which makes the government of cities
the one conspicuous failure OF the United
States"
II is estimated that the proposed survey
would cost Richmond $4,000. If the EXPERTS
sent here. familiar with the best work which
mas becn done in every city OF the country
should he able to recommend new methods
which would save little as $1,000 wear
that would be 10 per cent on the investment
Can there he any real doubt that such a say
ing would be rendered possible? Or that if a
similar saving were assured by the purchase
OF an indestructibIc piece Of machinery the
Finance Committee or Council would hesitate
to buy il: SO far The Times Dispatch is
concerned it expects annual savings. either
in actual expenditure or in increased service
10 the value oil five times the surveys total
cost
What is TO be done must be done quickly.
IS true that we have cumbersome and
"o"pi'e"'eu FORM ol government, that We
nave heavy bonded indebtedness and that
by recent annexations we have enlarged our
Obligations and multiplied our problems but
tha' Is no excuse for ia ilure to look The situa-
non III the lace. II is. rather. a greater
reasoI, for taking stock OF our resources and
ior eXaclng full return for the expenditure OF
every dollar Of the public funds.
N"r mas criticism been lacking; OF that
there has been large and constan, supply.
The difficulty has been in the inabilitv of
the public to decide between the critics and
me defenders of the municipal government
The survey will provide an able and an i'm
partial arber. AS we'll as Il constructive adj
wiser What sense. justice or profit is there
IN SNUG refusal 10 accept the offered boon"