El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-09-26

The Bureau of Municipal Research, having Surveyed
approximately 100 communities the United States and
Canada Is N position 10 speak Uiih authority that pour
scheme Of organization does conform 10 the best practices
IN public norris administration.
IT HIS is from the New York Bureau of Municipal Re
search, E. P. Goodrich director replying letter
from Dewitt Bandeen, Of the FL Paso Taxpayers
league asking the opinion Of the bureau relative to the
plan now before the city council Of FL Paso for the conso
dalton Of all public works Of the city under head It
shows how the plan received by the leading authority Of
the country for New York the first city to establish
bureau Of municipal research and its work has been
looked upon model for other similar organizations
There is question to the advisabiity and feast
bihty Of handling municipal affairs IN business ike
manner The consolidation Of departments Of the city is
merely bringing about condition that any business in
stitutioD would advocate and adopt It eff
politics.
At present, the departments relating to public works
IN the city OF FL PasO under four separate heads each
OF the aldermen having some portion OF this work TO
supervise. The combination Of all public works under
head, with the further step of securing competent
ger cooperate with and advise the responsible alderman
could bring but one result at eas-ore efficiency and
better work. II nothing obtained, it would be
worth while but laid before the mayor and city council
BY president C. N BaSsett and Mr. Bandeen Of the Tax
payers league they believe the system would save the
city from $4,000 to $4,000 IN expenses. This appears
quite possible for with such wide division Of authority,
It IS more than possible that there Is heavy cost in over
head expense that might be eliminated By the combination
Of all public works
There many elements Of duplication, necessarily, IN
the plan at present operated There at present
nine divisions IN the municipal government Of e. Paso five
Of them reporting TO one head two to another and two
to another There bound to be lack Of coordination IN
such methods It is criticism Of the existing board
previous boards Of city officials that this condition exists
for It is by charter provision, but FL Paso small
city when the present charter drawn, and, like the
small boy, Il has OutgTOwn its original clothing Even
R. T. Burgess author Of the present charter is quoted by
officials Of the Taxpayers league admitting that the
charter longer adaptable FL Paso at least that
change suggested would be for the better.
The plan proposed by the Taxpayers league, sub
mitted IN ordinance the city council and now under
consideration calls for four departments Of the city, under
four aldermanic heads at present. but bringing about
more coordinated system Of work These departments
would be
Public Safety
Public Welfare
Public Works
Finance.
The plan calls further for expert to advise with the
alderman who would have charge of the public works
This salary for and high salary for experts
Of this kind high, but efficient, they are worth
the pay. Under the plan, the finance committee
chairman would have charge Of all the financial matters
the city and would devote all his time to this work At