The San Francisco call., 1908-07-22
FIVE MEN GOVERN
IOWA MUNICIPALITY
John MacVicar of Des MOines
Describes Method of Ruling
City by Commission
Board Meets Every Day, Passes
Ordinances and Carries
Out Their Provisions

John MacVicar, of Des Moines, Iowa,
twice mayor of that city, secretary OF
the League of American Municipalities,
and one of the foremost authorities on
municipal government in the United
States, is guest at the ST. Francis
hotel, having arrived in the city yes
terday on his way to Portland. Mac
Vicar is one of the leading exponents
or the system of city government by
commission, which was adopted re-
Gently in Des Moines, and is one of the
councilmen under the new plan.
The purpose of MacVicar's visit to
the coast was to study oiled roads
and while in Los Angeles he contracted
with firm in that city to send ma
chinery and corps of men to Des
Molnes to install plant in that city
and give instruction which will enable
the city to carry on the work itself
in the future
From Portland he will go to Winni-
peg to investigate the plan in vogue
there by which the city does all it's
own work by day labor instead of
through contracts. He has shown a
lively interest in San Francisco munich
pal affairs, and yesterday evinced his
admiration of the manner in which the
old graft government of the city had
| been eradicated
FIVE COUNCILMEN GOVERN
The Des Moines plan of government
has already proved wonderful sue
cess in that city," he said yesterday
The legislative and executive branches
OF government are placed in the hands
of five men, consisting of the mayor,
who is also superintendent of the de-
partment of public affairs, and the su-
perintendentS of accounts and finance,
of public safety, of parks and public
property and of streets and improve
ments.
The plan centralizes all authority
and each commissioner is directly re-
sponsible for the department which he
controls. He has the making of all
appointments and the right of dis
charge of any official under him, sub
ject only to the ratification of the
council.
The council itself is subject to the
power of the initiative, referendum
and recall. 1t meets every day, levies
all taxes and makes complete monthly
reports of all expenditures. 1t passes
ordinances and carries out their pro-
visions. 1t executes every function of
city government except control of the
public schools, which are kept entirely
separate.
ELECTED FOR TWO YEARS
THE term of office of the mayor and
councilmen is two years, the mayor re-
ceiving a yearly salary of $4,000 and
the councilmen $4,000, while under our
old ward system the mayor received
$4,000 and the councilmen $3.50 per
year
We have been having trouble with
our public service corporations in Des
Moines similar to your present trouble
here over rates, but just before l left
home the water company agreed to ad-
judicate out of court. We expect to
put into operation something similar
to the Boston gas plan, by which the
company is allowed a certain dividend
rate upon the agreed value of it's prop
erty and the remainder of its revenue
goes to the city. Extensions and i'm
provements are made only under au-
thority and direction of the city This
to my mind. is the only feasible plan
Of municipal control outside of munich
pal ownership.