The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-10
MIR. BIRD MAKES REPLY.
Gives His Ideas About Government of
City by Commission.

To the Editor of the State Journal:
Permit me through your valuable
paper to reply to the questions pro-
pounded to me by Mr.. b. B. Thomas
in your issue of the Sth inst. on Gov
ern.ng Cities by a Commission 1
will quote his questions and answer
them in the order asked.
Under the commission plan.
how are new ordinances created and
existing ones repealed"
Answer=By the commission, xact-
~ the same as is now done by the
mayor and council, except ordinances
granting franchises These should be
first approved by the commission and
then submitted to the voters for rati-
fcation or rejection. The corporation
or persons asking for the franchise
should pay all expenses of the cleo
ton.
'2-One of the principal objects of
q commission, I understand, is to cen
tralize authority and responsibility. II
that be true. should not,the city clerk
and the city attorney be appointed BY
the commission instead Of being
elected by the people?"
Answer-Yes. All other officers should
be appointed by the commission and
should be removed by the commission
at any time for cause. and all employees
of a department should be appointed by
the head Of the department by and with
the consent Of the commission, and the
head of the department held response
BILE for the conduct of his appointees.
"3-For cities Of less than 5000 pop
uIation would not a commission of three
be quite as effective as one Of nve?"
Answer-Yes, three first class capable
men at good salaries would be better
than five at smaller salaries.
"4-If government by a commission
is good for cities of the first class. why
should it not also be good for cities Of
the second and third class, If they want
to try it?"
-A--1 - 800
tenn to all cities and make our munic-
ipaI affairs similar In all cities.
"5-To get best results should not
the commissioners be required to give
their undivided time and attention to
the city's business and be 'on deck
all the time as are managers of all
successful business corporations?"
Answer-Yes. by all means few men
can safely manage more than one line
Of business at a time.
"6-Do you honestly think that ST.
200 a year will hire a really first class
commissioner--one capable of getting
good results and willing to give his I'M
divided time to the city's business ~
Answer-Certainly not. If there are
but three commissioners who devote
all their time to the OF
the affairs of the city like Topeka. thes
should receive at least $4,000 per an
mum.
Going a little farther. If Topeka was
managed by a commission Of three
men, 1 would suggest that the chair.
man be placed in charge of the water
and electric light plants and all other
matters of
Another commissioner in charge o.
the repairs Of streets. bridges, walks
sewers and sanitary matters.
Another in charge of parks, publ,
buildings public works and kindred
affairs.
All matters OF special Importance o
any department, however, should b.
the whole commission. BY this plaT
we would furnish more work for on
laboring men. get more and better re
suits for III honey expended n a
less cost to the taxpayer.
: w. A. s. BIRD.