Evening journal., 1919-03-13

you. I am transmitting herewith, al
minisiratlve surveys Of the state
county and city OF Wilmington TO-
gether with surveys Of all institutions
boards and commissions. wholly or il
part under official jurisdiction, with
the one exception, Delaware College
The survey Of this institution was no
made because al the time, the collcg,
was under supervision Of the War De
parlment and used as o school fol
military training These surveys were
made by the Bureau Of Municipal Re.
search. a national organization of cX-
peris devoted 10 the study Of the sc!-
Cnce aud practices of government. Tic
work was done under the direction OF
/ tho state Council of Defense and req
resents a real and very vital piece Of
reconstruction. The facts and infor-
nation illustrated here by charts and
figures present Information OF our adj
minlstraton and institutional affairs ln
a way that has never before been pos
sible.
incidentally. it is worthy Of men
tion. that this organization made a
similar survey for Illinois, which was
adopted and after two years exper-
ience has received the approval Of ciii-
zens generally, without regard 70
party, and at a saving Of over $1,000
600. Thees men came into our State
and without instructions, made a care
ful study and inventory OF our af-
fairs. To my mind, 10 Is the greatest
document of state affairs that has ap.
poared in recent years. ] present Il
with confidence Of your serious atten-
/ tion.
'With this information collected IN
this form, hope you will provide for
a commission, to make study OF
these surveys, 60 apply 20 local condl,
tlons, asking that they present q re-
port 90 the next General Assembly for
its consideration. with the idea Of ap-
plying better and more modern busi-
ness methods 20 The State affairs.
Il would suggest too, that the sur
vey be made complete by including a
study Of Delaware College in its adj
and relation to the State.
JOHN G. TOWNSEND. Jr,
Governor" ="
Dover, Del. March T.. 1919
Summary Of Survey.
Charles A. Beard, director Of the Bu-
reau Of Municipal Research. sets forth
a general summary Of The survey sub
mited 10 the Legislature as follows:
AT The FIRST glance there may seem
90 be something mysterious and for
bidding about This pOrtly volume. IN
deed, there may be some who viii look I
upon it as "a new tangled notion" /
worthy OF slight consideration at the I
hands Of q people who have enjoyed |
a reasonable degree of prosperity with F.
things as they are. A little study OF
The volume, howeyef, and am inquiry
into The contents and spirit OF The sur
Ney will soon convince the hardened
douhter That hero is something con
ceivel in The spirit of common sense
and dedicated 90 The proposition that
the American people, by applying io
] their goNernmcnl q little more of The
ability which they apply TO their prl-
yato affairs, may Immensely improve
/ the quality of the public service which
&c renders.
Although The survey will undoubt-
edly appeal especially 30 the serious
student OF Delaware government ON
account Of the fact that it presents
the first complete picture OF the state
and county administration which has
ever been made, the report is designed
rather for The busy officer. LEGISLATOR
and citizen who are Interested enough
in their government 90 take thought
about it. I'm fact, the survey is based
upon the simple principle that pro
GRESS COMES FROM STOPPING AND
TALKING THOUGHT ABOUT OUR
WAYS OF LIVING AND WORKING.
The wise farmer looks over his cattle
and gets rid OF those that do not pay 4.
he cuts The dead wood out of his forest :
-nd he inquiries whether there are not
better ways Of ferlilizing and planting.
The careful business man periodically
searches through his business looking
Tor wasteful and prontless activities
which he promptly drops. a man or q
lation that does not do this never
makes any progress. such a searching
" hearts requires effort. Il is easy
o run along iu the good old way.
lhina has done il for ten thousand
ears or more-drawing water by
veil sweep and threshing rice with a
lail
"It should be repeated therefore that
he survey made by the New York Bu-
eau Of Municipal Research Is simply 1
stock-taking Of State and county ad-
in Delaware by disinter- I
ested men who have had long expe |
Renee in this kind Of work 10 is not /
an ,h investigation designed to get some
SINE siis on any officer or agent OF the
~ ne and county government It is
Win on audit of-the books OF the state I
sheet tlsW TO presenting a balance
moral os character Of apV 5eies, lll'o uls
vii, soNernment Il is not ooa,e..l, ~ a-.LlS
! true that sops Us, out with methods II is
deseribsass some as Of the practices bers,s ~ =
tices Of ipaiySIilaie IN SSriaeised are the pree
state and counties hnt ntiip,oyed p by the
instance they are simply Ne nearly every
established by long custom me no, practices