Evening star., 1943-10-14
.Keech Report
Asks Shake-up
In nWater.0ffice
Efficient Stuff of
Meter Readers and
Higher Poy Urged
By DON s. WARREN

A change in personnel policies
and higher pay ratings in the
Office of the Water Registrar Of
the District government were
recommended to the Commits
sioners by committe of District
officials and private business
representatives headed bv Cor
poration Counsel Richmond B,
keech.
This report was the first official
reaction at the District Building to
sharp criticism of the registrars
office voiced last April in a report by
Controller General Lindsay Warren.
The group offered l9 specific
recommendations after declaring
Washington water meter readers
I generally were inefficient and that
the differential between their paw
and that of comparable workers in
private Industries was "appalling."
1t recommended a general increase
IN pay not only for the meter
readers. but for all employees of the
, registrars office.
one OF the outstanding recon-
mendations was that the water
registrar be placed directly under
supervision Of the Assistant Engi-
neer Commissioner of the District tn
eliminate what was called the TOO
heavy amount Of supervision" now
prevailing, 1t was pointed out there
was entirely too much supervision.
too many orders being given. MANY
OF them verbal, many of them
contradictory"
Responsibility of Bills.
The Keech committee offered
many reasons why it would be de-
Slrable TO hold the owner respon-
slble for payment of bills for water
consumed by his tenant. while sug-
gestine that legislation would be
needed 10 make it really effective.
The group finally concluded. how
ever. that the necessity for such a
cnange might be substantially dis
slpated If the Registrars Office
were put on an efficient basis and a
concentrated effort were made to
follow up in collection efforts on un-
paid bills.
The group found the morale OF
the present staff was low" that
meter readers were inefficient and
general not performing an honest
Gays work. 1t was felt. however,
that seven properly paid. efficient
readers could do the work of the
present staff of Is. if a reorganiza-
tion were effected and better wages
paid.
AS to pay. the investigating group
said. 1t felt the Commissioners had
oeen penny wise and pound
foolish"
/ The Keech Committee said il was
pleased to report that Il had found
no evidence or dishonesty" in the
operation of the Water Registrars
once although ii added that it had
not made and had not been asked
to make any audits of the depart
ment.
In addition to Mr. Keech. members
OF the investigating group. which
started its work July l3. were: Dis
/ trlct Assessor Edward A. Dent. r. V.
/ l.. Wright, an official of the Depart
ment of Interior. whose services had
, been loaned to the Senate District
Committee: Thomas B. Hopper Of
| the Washington Gas Light Co.. and
/ w. l.. Jones of the Potomac Electric
Power Co. The Commissioners re-
leased their report today without
comment. but action is expected to
be taken shortly.
Mai jor Step Taken.
One ajor step already has been
taken toward correcting difficulties
OF the registrars office. At the re-
quest Of the Commissioners. Con-
/ gress this year included in the Dis
/ trlct Appropriation Act an item OF
$4,000 As pay for a new registrar
of the Water Department. The sug-
geStion was that this new appointes
head OF the department and that
the present registrar, Ralph L. Heb.
bard. be made second in command.
In summation. the Keech COM
mlttee recommended among other
/ things:
/ That the water registrars office
be transferred 10 the direct SUPER
vision and control of the Assistant
Engineer Commissioner, a position
now held by Col. Joseph D. Ar
thur. jr.
That new water registrar who /,
| an accountant. one preferably hav-
ing knowledge of business ma
chimes, be appointed.
That the new water registrar be
directed to put that Office on an ef-
flcient basis and be assured that
recommendation for original en-
ployment, discharge and replace
ment of inefficient personnel and
reclassification will be given most
sympathetic consideration by the
! Commissioners.
That the registrar be directed to
make realignment of the Office and
TO recommend new setup. with
persons to be placed in charge