The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-02-24
How Galveston Plan Works
sideligh on Citys by OBJ


~ hO cctli A-dte I1tt anu
II every member of the house of rep
resentatives could spend a few hours
In Galveston. Tex, the so-called Gal
weston bills" would pass that body as
easily as they did the senate. If every
citizen of Salt Lake could visit Calves
ton, the city and county building would
not hold the petitioners who would
ciamor for this progressive step in our
manner Of city government
L say this because / know from my
own observation that the superiority of
the Galveston method is obtrusiyely
seh-evident on every hand. The most
pfeJudieed spectator must be convinced
against his will that the commission
system is vastly better for the great
mass of citizens than the complicated
red tape machine now commonly en-
ployed.
If | did not think this. I would not
say U-much less take the trouble to
write it. Beyond the fact that 1 want
to stay in Salt Lake and earn a living
by common, everyday work. have no
interest in the matter Before ] went
20 Galveston last summer / had sort
OF socialistic prejudice against the COM
mission idea. l believed in Democracy
with a big D." and leaned toward the
New England town meeting form of
government. My theoretical objection
to commission was one which you will
never hear from the politicians and mill
lionaires who are fighting the Smith
bills in the legislature.
L thought that a commission COM
posed of business men would be the
servile tools of the so-called business
f-, f,-a, erfx
away special privileges and permit the
favored few to grow richer at the ex-
pense of the workers. This theory
locked so reasonable that did not give
IL up until it was answered by the in
conference.-the logic of facts. My theory
vanished before the plain demonstra-
ton that the business interests" in
Galveston are not favored at the ex-
pense of the people.
Every theoretical objection I have
heard advanced here is answered in the
same decisive fashion-all save one.
That one was offered by a superannu
ated politician who said, last night:
Il prefer our present city elections.
There is more in 1t for the boys
The experience. OF Galveston demon
strates that there is less i'm it for the
boys under the commission.
Those who think the government of
Galveston is less difficult than that of
Salt Lake are suffering from enlarge
ment Of the ignorance. While the pop
ulatiOn and area is less. Galveston is
the biggest little city you ever saw. 1t
is one of the great seaports on the
Gulf. 1t is the outlet for the immense
cotton crop of Texas. 1t is a city of
very rich men. Being on a low, sandy
island. IT has to keep constantly on the
defensive against the sea. 1t also has
to pipe its water supply under four
miles of salt water. AS the island has
no natural fall, drainage and sewage
is a difficult engineering problem. the
more urgent because of the semi-tropic
climate which causes disease to spread
like a prairie fire. And here l will
pause long enough 10 say that the Gall
weston commission has solved its diff
cult sewage problem. while Salt Lakes
government has been holding a polite
academic discussion of far less COM
piiCated problem on the west side.
Galveston has a large floating pOpu-
lation of dock labOrers and sailors. who
do not by any means add TO the peace
and comfort of the police department.
The city is compelled to regulate and
control its water front and the wharf
age questions are numerous and diff
Gilman to drink-yes, to two drinks,
On the whole. while it might be apro-
PCS for Galveston to assert that a sys-
tenn which works well in simple task
like the government of Salt Lake,
would not answer in complicated sea-
port environment. it is folly to argue
i'm the opposite way.
One of the first things that attracted
my attention when I returned TO Calves
ton after an absence of eleven years, was
the bearing of the policemen Instead of
looking for some one to run in they
were on the alert to help some one out.
They were polite attentive and always
busy helping strangers. keeping the side
walks clear. preventing disturbances and
politely calling attention to violations of
With such officers on duty
was not surprised at the cleanliness of
the streets. a vast change from the
streets i'm 1885
I went to dinner at the home of Gal
weston publisher. On our way my host
stopped and pointed to an unpretentious
house across the street.
That" he said. lis where Harry Lam
dies. our commissioner. lives He has
been in charge of the police and fire de-
partments ever since the commission was
organized. He knows every patrolman
and fireman personally. When there is a
vacancy he is always on the lookout for
the best man for the place and he gets
tons are secure and a man who does his
duty is protected. Politics? There is no
politics about it. Harry does not need to
build HD a machine. We are all rather
proud that he will work for us. The sal
airy is not. much to him. but the reputa-
tiOn of the department is everything.
1t is his work and he likes it. IL YOU
have any complaint TO make about the
force go to Landes and make it, He will
thank you and he will find out who is at
fault within twelve hours.
That reminded me of other cities-by
You can do business with the city Of
a business man told me. "as
easily as you can with a bank or gro
Gerry store. Submit your proposition to
one of the commissioners. He will refer
ii to the commissioner whose department
Ii concerns. The latter will investigate
and make his recommendation at the
next general meeting of the commission
and you get yes or no then and
there. Having authority commensurate
with their responsibility the commission
ers are able 10 secure the bargains and
discounts that make for the success Of
the merchant or the manufacturer. Each
1-sr.