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February 1, ISflO Record and Guide. 147 '2y ^ ESTABUSHED-^NiRRpHeiii^lSee.^ DeVo;;ED to RE^L EsWE , BuiLOIf/c A|
s'hich it could be most effectually done. The depai-tmental heads present at the conference were Commissioner Loomis, Deputy Commissioner Hagan, Commis'iioner Gilroy, Corporation Counsel Clark, Police Superintendent Murray and President Wilson of the Board of Health, Tbis conference, we believe, is something of an innovation for Mayor Grant. Hitherto no such consultaticm has been called : each departmental bead has gone his own way irrespective more or less of the ways of other departmental heads. For tbis aud other reasons it would be well to hold them more fre¬ quently. Mayor Grant, it must he remembered, is clothed by the Consolidation act with responsibility for the honest and efficient management of every city depai'tment. The various heads are pj-actically his clerks, just as the various departmental secretaries in Washington are clerks of the President. It would be better, perhaps, if they were collectively responsible like the hoard of du-ectors of a railroad or the English Cabinet ; but, considering that all the accountability is lodged in the Mayor, it is obvious that he, if he wishes to perform his duties efficiently, should work in harmony with the different heads of departments, and confer with Lliem collectively or individually, according as the subject was of general or of special importance. Ex-Mayor Low, of Brooklyn, the first chief executive of that city who was responsible as Mayor Grant is responsible, strongly advocates these conferences. Hesays: "The heads of departments having been appointed, it was the custom of the writer to hold a meeting in the Mayor's office with all his executive appointees once every week, except during the summer when the Common Council was not ha session. * * » When a question was brought up of general interest to the city the whole company discussed it, giving the Mayor the advantage of their experience itnd judgment. These weeidy councils were of great value to the Mayor in determining his attitude on the various ques¬ tions raised during his term by the Common Council of the city. * * * These gatherings of the executive officers were useful iu other ways than this. They made all the heads of departments personally acquainted wifti hhtth other; and converted the machin-
