The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-03-09
Bureau Of Efficiency AS an
Investigating Institution

The use By Congress Of the Bureau Of Efficiency
vesgatng institution into District and Federal Government
bureaus and departments will attract attention in this city of
numerous governmental activities
The bureau by request Of Congress- is beginning
investigation Of the pubcschoo system Of the District IN
GLIDING its need any Of additional teachers and other
phases among them administrative management The bureau
also called aid in the investigation of the electric
signal contracts made by the Traffic Bureau still aiding
The Commissioners in that work. and there hints that it
may investigate the District Government in wholesome
The bureaus duties in the past have mainly consisted of
endeavOrs to increase efficiency in governmental establish
ens particularly to the personnel The efficiency ratings
Of civil service employees throughout the Government service
instituted by the bureau which has become factor Of
overwhelming influence in all matters Of civil service per
sonnet
Congress and the White House, in the handling Of per-
sonnet affairs connected with the civil service have freely
consulted the bureau used in many ways advisory and
otherwise From small beginning few years ago. the bu
has reached place of unusual official Importance
Whether the Of the bureau for investigating purposes
will add to its prestige and strength problematica There
Is doubt need for bureau to be prepared for such
yesgations when requested By Congress- the President
reau has demonstrated that he most useful to the
Government His value in this direction is fully recognized
in Congress- though he has enemies there and elsewhere
would any man in his position. he is eveheaded pene
trating, and analytical
Still the Investigating field always full Of trouble and
dynamite No matter how fair just the chief of the bureau
may he dependent upon ubordnates for udg
and hewng the line actual facts Prejudices
play big part in Investigations and in city where political
influences everywhere prevail it is difficult to find who
viii omit these considerations from their acts and reports
The tendency favoritsm is almost impossible
Favoritism to means injustice to others.
In the investigation of District affairs political pull and
Influence not be much of factor This city is kind
Of goat for anybody in Congress power to kick about
There are many people in the District service pro
teCt The faults and weaknesses of District officials
their administration be magned exaggerated if in
vestigator should be disposed without running against
political power.
And in nearly all Investigations criticism Of the inves
gated establishments is almost essential justification that an
investigation necessary What's the Of any nvestga
tOn in Congress elsewhere unless somebody is hit the
head goats found and held up public scorn?
Mr. Brown may hold his Investigators and their reports
within bounds He may, and doubtless will refuse to
enter fields Of investigation that have brought other men
trouble.
good many years ago when was President the
secret service bureau employed by high officials to
secretly gather facts to the personal affairs and lives
prominent bitterly opposed to that administration In
the facts gathered against Roosevelts
political enemies Congress and elsewhere in attempt
to besmirch them.
Congress promptly passed law prohibiting the secret
service bureau from this line of work and combining its
activities to countereng and guarding the President Con-
gress didn't propose to have any bureau pa
ing detective the personal habits business or profes
sional dealings of its members.
The greatest trouble with investigating bureaus having
governmental backing and authority just this tendency to
ecrape up material bearing the private lives Of in
vdua and not upon their public lives and careers
of getting administrative facts the Investigators deye into
private facts and later there explosion in
Congress.
reached the stage referred to- and Mr. Brown will probahv
be wise enough to draw the line his Investigations before
his investigators in turn subjected congressional in
vestigation