EXECUTIVE ORGANIZATION OF A PARK DEPARTMENT 539 



This statement embodies most of the fundamental principles of good 

 executive organization, which include: 



(a) Complete charge of operation, maintenance, repair and extension 

 of all structures, grounds, waters, etc., over which the governing authority 

 has jurisdiction. 



(b) Power to appoint his subordinates and to order and direct their 

 work (subject in this instance to a civil service law). 



(c) Power to purchase, care for and control the use of all tools, equip- 

 ment, materials and supplies used by the executive in the conduct of the 

 business of the department. This is based on the principle that a trained 

 executive knows better than anyone else what tools, equipment, supplies 

 and materials he will need, how to care for them and how to handle their use. 



(d} Absolute responsibility for the handling of funds allocated to the 

 use of the chief executive. 



In the South Park organization two major departments are not under 

 the control of the chief executive, viz., the legal department and the account- 

 ing department, each of which is directly responsible to the governing 

 authority. From the viewpoint of governmental organization there are some 

 very good reasons for this arrangement, and from the viewpoint of executive 

 organization there can be no serious objections. 



2. West Chicago Park System, Chicago, Illinois. (General Ordinances 

 of the West Chicago Park Commissioners, Chapter I, Section 8, 1924.) 



(a) The superintendent shall have full and complete accordance with the rules and regulations which may 

 charge of the use, housing, preserving, maintaining and be passed from time to time by the park civil service 

 repairing of all park property, real, personal and mixed, commissioners, appoint and dismiss such clerks, assist- 

 together with all the improvements thereon; and with ants and other employees as the good of the service 

 the use, maintenance and preservation of all waters, may require; subject, however, to the approval of the 

 boulevards, streets, water craft and boats over which superintendent of employment. Nothing in this see- 

 the commissioners have jurisdiction; subject, however, tion, however, shall be construed or understood as 

 to the approval, order and direction of the president. conflicting or interfering with, or in any degree, dimin- 



(b) From time to time make such specific rules and ishing the power of the president over all employees, 

 regulations as he may deem advisable for the purpose and particularly his power and authority to remove 

 of protecting said property and of carrying out and officers and employees. 



enforcing all the ordinances, orders, resolutions and (<?) Make such rules and regulations as he considers 



rules of the commissioners relative thereto, subject, advisable, subject to the approval of the commissioners, 



however, to the approval of the commissioners. for the regulation and control of all parks under the 



(c) Have control and direction of all departments in control of the commissioners, boulevards, parkways, 

 all the parks, subject, however, to the order, control driveways, streets, walks, waters, field houses, con- 

 and direction of the president, with supervisors under servatories, playgrounds, boats, bathing and all im- 

 and subordinate to him assigned to certain parks in and provements thereon, and shall permit no trespass upon, 

 of the West Chicago Park District, who shall report to or interference with, any part thereof, except upon 

 him; but the employees of the respective park or parks permits issued by him and upon the conditions and 

 shall report to the supervisor of the particular park or terms imposed therein. 



parks wherein said employees are employed. (f) Approve requisitions for all supplies and equip- 



(d) From time to time, in conformity with the park ment for the physical needs of the parks, 

 civil se-vice law and all amendments thereto, and in 



