170 Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency 



Board be filled by an experienced accountant and office man- 

 ager, who would not only be responsible to the Board for the 

 record of its acts, custody of its files, etc., but would be com- 

 petent to install and direct the operation of a complete and com- 

 prehensive accounting system. The present condition of the 

 accounts is bad. The salary of $4,800 per year paid to the 

 present secretary is excessive for the duties of the position, 

 particularly as many of his duties are performed by an assistant 

 secretary, at a salary of $2,700. If the activities of the secretary 

 were confined to the legitimate duties of his office, there would 

 be no necessity for an assistant secretary, although the latter 

 might well be appointed purchasing agent, the duties of which 

 office he is now performing. Relieved of other responsibilities 

 now attached to the office of assistant secretary, the purchasing 

 agent should be expected to develop increased efficiency in his 

 department. 



If the office force of the West Park Board were reorganized 

 it should be possible to dispense with two $1,200 clerks — there 

 are now five. Briefly outlined the force and its duties, exclusive 

 of purchasing agent, stenographer and messenger, would then be 

 as follows : 



Secretary — General supervision of accounting and auditing $3,000 



General Bookkeeper — General, appropriation and contract ledgers. . . . 2,000 



Bookkeeper — Stores ledger and expense ledger 1,200 



Voucher Clerk — Vouchering and registering 1,200 



Cashier — Receipt records (including special assessments) 1,200 



The general maintenance department should have charge 

 of the general upkeep of the parks and boulevards, care of lawns, 

 sprinkling, hauling, etc. The stables should also be included 

 in this department. At present the Lincoln Park organization 

 includes a general foreman, whose duties do not appear to have 

 been clearly defined. Under the proposed scheme, his responsi- 

 bilities would be confined to the maintenance department. In 

 the West Parks this work is now directed by the general super- 

 intendent personally, but it will eventually be necessary to ap- 

 point a general foreman therefor. 



It is suggested that the present general director of field- 

 houses and playgrounds in the South Parks and the director 



