Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-20
ANOTHER BUREAU
OFFERS TO SURVEY
Rival of New York Institution
Seeks Employment by
City.
ADMITS IT NEVER MADE ONE
Committee, After Four Hours of
Talk, Adjourns Without
Taking Action.
ADMITS 1T NEVER MADE ONE

TO consider tn" appropriation OF funds
TO provide for survey Of tho city
government. by the appearance of a
second organization which put in a
bid to do the work. Lengthy state
mcnts and not infre9uent clashes CON
tnued the session for moro than four
hours. the committee adjournins at
l2:20 O'Clock this morning without
acting.
The Bureau OF Municipal Research
Of New York. which has the umuuali-
fled Endorsement Of tho civic Ass"ci-
alton. WAS represented hv Director H.
Il. Sands. in charge Of field work. and
tho new contender was the Institute OF
Public Service. also Of New York
which was represented by its director
Dr. William II. Alien.
The crowd of spectators attracted
was so larLc that the committee was
compelled to sit in the Council Cham
her in order TO provide space for all.
The audience WAS composed of men
from all walks cf life AID few
women. The sentiment was over
whclminEly in support OF the civic
Associations plans, and outbursts of
applause were suppressed by Chairman
difficulty. Twice lie was forced to
threaten 10 clear the hall.
RELEASE CITY FROM
SLOUGH OF DESPOND
In tho absence Of it's president. John
L. Easiey. who is ill. the Civic .Issoci-
alton was represented by its vice
president. Wyndham Il. Meredith. who
said in substance that the prime OBJ
ject of the Civic Association in advo-
eating the survey was IL release the
city from the slough of dcspond into
which its financial affairs had sunk
Referring to the Bureau of Municipal
Research, he said:
II defy any man TO tind any better
agent than we bring to you to- night
The time Is here for. Tie survey. Pa
thence has been exhausted. We do not
want any more delay
Mr. Sands outlired generally and
then explained in Ietail at the re-
search bureau would promise to do in
return for the $40 00U which the COM
mittee has been asked to recommend
for appropriation. He said that cffi-
cheney I'm business was long ago an
established success. AM. that all gov
craments had come 10 learn that eff
cheney in government was as neccs-
sary as in business.
1T may DC that this city is the best
governed between the two oceans. If
that is So the taXpay RS are entitled
to know it. Establish -hc fact beyond
CO atroversy. The survey Will do il.
If the Bureau of Municipal Research
is employed. it will tell the truth. On
the other hand. If it be found that
this is not the best government, and
there are ways and means to improve
conditions. ! assume that the members
of the Council would want TO know it,"
WHAT SANDS SAYS
BUREAU WOULD DO
Briefly here is what Mr. Sands said
the bureau would do:
Examine the city charter and noint
out opportunities to increase its ef-
fectiveness.
Study the existing organizations
within the city government ard show
how more efficiency can be produced
by consolidation or separation.
Examine the bn:'incss methods in all
Offices in the city government. MI of
the good found will he left. and all
OF the bad found will be recommended
for elimination.
Examine the character OF service
rendered by city employees ard roc
ommend for adoption a permanent sys-
tenn of appointing. promoting and dis
charging employees; to standardize
them INTO classes.
Examine the sources OF revenue and
point out. if possible. supplementary
sources in order to make additions TO
the city's income.
Recommend whatever changes in On
istins statutes arc desirable or ncccs-
sary
Devote special attention Ia meet
ing conditions which will cltAim dur
ing the war and after the war. witch
will offer some serious economic prob
lcrs.
To answer any questions propounticti
by any city official for 4 period of one
year. placing the experience OF the en-
tire staff OF the bureau at the ci'y's
disposal for that length Of time.
Mr. Sands said that on account, o.
the war every city should have IA sur
rcy made within thirty days in order
to meet the changed economical condi-
tions. lie added that a survey should
be regarded an investment w!lici.
would pay fine dividends we will
give YOU - program" lie said. that il
VIII take -four OF five years 10 carry
out.
DOES NOT CONTEMPLATE
SURVEY OF SCHOOI. sNS'rI.S,
Mr.. Sands announced his Willingness
to answer any questions. and \LIci
man Workman, Councilman Mills and
ALDERMAN Pullcr kept him busy for :,
few minutes. He said that the sur.
vey lie had outlined did not contcm-
plate or include a survey Of the school
System. To include it, he said. would
entail further cost Four months. lie
said. would he required for the survey.
The report of the survey Will not Ienl
Continued ON Second TageO
The Most Intsresting Water Trip In America.
Inrk River Line IN Iii,Ill