Imperial Valley press., 1925-04-30


=" Because Of the powers vested in
the board of directors there will al
WAYS be the possibility Of the board
performing administrative acts rath.
er than functioniug rs n policy
forming body, In an enterprise as
vast as the district a form of or.
ganization is required wherein the
executive authority now vested in
the board should be delegated Ia
technically trained men, who in adj
ditiou to their technical knowledge,
possess executive ability.
Much of the present uniform
lack of understanding has been
brought about possibly by the fact
fhat the directors have not issueC
written or definite instructions as
q what the organization and FLOW
of authority should be.
Advise Carefu~ Survey
because Of the broaduesS of the
powers conferred ON the board by
law, they have probably not exceed
ed their legal authority. However,
it is the opinion that the board has
encroached upon the professional
status and procedure of certain en-
plovecS to an extent that makes it
impossible for those employees to
serve to the extent which their Spe-
cialized training should permit.
9" 1t is suggested that 4 careful
survey of the duties to be perform
ed by each official and employee be
made. and a full set of instructions
setting forth the duties and respon-
sibilitieS Of each employee should
be given, any reorganization of the
district to be on 4 purely functional
basis. Ne plan Of administration
can be established without careful
study Of the act under which the
district operates. If the act con
tainS provisions which mitigate
against the best interests of the dis
trict. it should be amended.
Civil Service: ANY plan of re-
organization should include com
prehensive study Of the advantages
Of a civil service system.
The provisions of such sys-
tenn, while not essentially de-
signed solely as a protection for
the employee against the en-
ployer. should entitle the en-
ployee, especially in locality
where climate must necessarily
be considered, to the protection
and security afforded under
proper civil service law.
Civil service plans should be so
drawn as to give consideration to
character, initiative and other quail
ities not measurable by written or
oral examinations. The plans need
not of course apply to common Ia
borerS.
Bonds: .|consideration of the
type and amount Of fidelity bonds
for employees entrusted with the
custody of money or property should
be a part of any plan Of reorganiza
tion.
About Supplies
Stores and Supplies: '.Purchas-
ing, receiving, issuing and caring
fer stores and materials should be
given thoughtful consideration. In
devising any new system for the
Of stores, which the new
agent has stated ii is
his intention to, do, attention must
he given TO the following features: -
Here follows several detailed sug-
gestions for simplifying the handling
ofc stores and supplies. some of
which are Of minor nature.) One
recommendation is that
adequate specifications and re-
quests for bids should be provided
III order to assure quotations on a
uniform basis Of quality. quantity
and price. Adequate protection IS
advised for the district from bid
ders with provisions for a bond by
the bidder for completion of con
tracts involving considerable stores.
Long time contracts with local con-
Germs. thereby acquiring lower prices
are also recommended.
Physical Equipment and Shops:
8 With respect to certain of the
equipment, improvements should be
made, which would result in econo-
NY in maintenance and operation.
This refers primarily to shop equip
ment: where it has been found that
machines in some cases are poorly
balanced in the light Of the work .
that the shops must do. \ thorough
study should be made regarding the
small tools. The shop layout at ,
Andrade is good, though as much
cannot he said for the layout az .
where a study should be
made with respect TO present and
future requirements before further
funds are expended on the struc-
lures. Consideration should b Civ. f
en- TO the advantages that might
be expected to accrue from the con.
solidatiOn Of tie Calexico and In
perial shops. with respect to the
logical, geographical location # the
combined shops.
Replacement Policies: "'It IS i'm
portant that plans be made 70
determine the advisability Of replac-
ing temporary structures with those
of more permanent type, with q
comparison Of ultimate cost so that
makeshift Improvement or maiLteU-
uce operation VIII not exceed in
cost an immediate expenditure for
Il more permanent structure. !
Automotive Equipment: Large
sums Of money have been expend- F.
ed in connection with the opera
ti0n and maintenance Of the ears /
owned by the district. Many Of the /.
Ford machines were purchased .
number Of years ago and the whole f.
matter Of the auto fleet should be