Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1908-11-25

Iowa cities have adopted the charter,
Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. But its
fame has spread and in other parts of
the United States, the Des Moines
plan is being adopted. Sioux Falls and
Lincoln are the latest converts to the
commission form of government as
outlined in the'D es Moines plan.
The Iowa legislature will meet with
in a few weeks. At that time, the Des
Moines legal department under the
head of Corporation Council w. H.
Baily and City Solicitor Brennan will
ask for changes in the law. Or rather
they will ask for improvements.
"The most noticeable weakness in
the Des Moines plan as adopted in this
city is the power of the entire city
council to say what men shall be hired
in any one department" said City So
licitor Robert Brennan, who is draw
ing up suggestions for the legislature.
THE law should be SO amended
that each superintendent shall be SUI
preme in making appointments in his
department, thus fixing the responsible
ity absolutely. AS at present, a super.
intendent may discharge an employee
who has the right to appeal to the
other councilmen who may outvote the
superintendent.
Amendments Sought.
I'VE want the city to have the
power to prevent the placing OF OBJ
strucrions in the streams within its
borders and to beautify the banks.
Along this same line, we want the
right to condemn property for the
building of levies. We want it made
necessary for the city to approve real
estate plats before any lots are sold.
THE problem of regulating corpora
lions is important We want the city
council to have the right to examine
the books of the public utility corpora
lions if they fail to make reports as
the law provides.
"Then we want the city ordinances
to stand in court the same as statutes
stand at present. Those are some of
the changes we think would benefit
the Des Moines charter"
City is Developing.
The improvement of the city along
the line of public buildings is pro-
crossing. A new $35O,00O city hall
has been voted, the building of which
will be under the supervision of the
city commission. A new cement bridge
costing 100000, is being built across
the Des Moines river. A new coliseum
is projected and in other ways the
city is preparing to improve skyward.
Several of the leading citizens of
Des Moines were asked their opinion of
the system, particularly as to whether
or not the concentration of power in
the hands of five men is safe. In every
instance, the reply was the same.
No machine" Building.
'sThe fact that there is no building
of machinery or an attempt to build a
concentrated machine is the best ans
wer to your question in the negative"
said j. G. Berryhili one of the found
ers of the new charter. 1.-The commits
sioners are chosen from different walks
of life. The right of recall is one
check, the initiative and referendum
by which important measures are
submitted to popular vote, is another.
plan will ever turn a city into mon
archy 1t is impossible"
Lafayette Young, editor of the Des
Moines Capital, was asked the same
question. "The new plan is working
better all the time, the city affairs are
prospecting as never before and with
the safeguards which the charter
throws about the commissioners, can
see no danger whatever from concen-
tration Of power. In fact, doubt if
the power is concentrated except as
to each individual department where
this concentration permits the abso-
lutte fixing of responsibility
Governor A. B. Cummins is an
enthusiastic booster of the Des Moines
plan. ut is proving its efficiency and
adaptability every day. the governor
said. "The plan is SO framed that it
makes the people supreme. The fran
chise grabber is non est, for the people
have the right to say when franchise
shall be granted and when not. The
people also are given the opportunity
to get a speedy hearing directly with
the man responsible for the conduct Of
affairs"
Senator c. c. Dowell who boosted
the new charter through the legislat-
ure, is of the opinion that the commits
sion system is safe and secure.
Every action Of the council is public"
he said New ordinances and pro-
posed changes in ordinances must be
published and all city records are pub
lie. The charter is specific in pre-
pairing for open and above board ac-
countings and the. people are always
appraised of what is taking place. If
hey are not satisfied, they have the