New-York tribune., 1909-05-16
NOVEL MUN[CIPALRULE
.4dranced Com mission Government
of Colorado Springs.
TRr Telegraph 20 The Tribune !


Colorado Springs COL May 1s.-Colorado Springs
has 3ust adopted by vote of 3.1e1 to 2ss, the com
mission form Of government under charter which
aboishes the ward system eliminates party politics
provides the recall. initiative and referendum. and
places ample restrictions around the granting Of
franchises.
The charter Is probably the most liberal adopted
by any American municipality, because of The fact
that the Legislature gives cities free rein in max
ing heir charters. Colorado Springs is the first
Colorado city 70 adopt the commission form, al
though Grand Junction Pueblo ard other cities are
taking steps to that end The instrument was
drawn by twenty-one representative citizens. nom
mated by joint committee from the civic organi-
cations. The first election under the new charter
will be held July s.
In many respects the charter is remarkable. The
only elective officers the Mayor and four coun-
ciln7en. who compose the council in which the pow
Of the city vested Responsibility is fixed
by the creation of FIVE departments, the head of
each of which IS member. The departments
are Water and water works, governed by the May
or: finance. public health and sanitation public
works and property. and public safety. Provision
is made put the water system on q self-sustain-
ing basis. and effort IS made obtain uniform
system OF public accounting. The Mayor receives
salary OF s$60e. the councilmen $4,000.
The most radical measures. perhaps, are in re
gard 70 elections the idea being 10 eliminate all
factional control Nominations made by the
filing Of twenty-five individual certificates. the
signer Of each Of which. well the nominee,
must make affidavit TO the fact that the candidate
Is not the representative of any political party
sThe charter further provides: Nothing on the
ballot shall be Indicative of the source Of the candi
6acy Of the support of candidate No ballot
Rhau have printed theron any party political
design or mark and there shall not be appended TO
the name Of any candidate any such party or po-
Htical designation mark, anything indicating
his views or opinions" A majority Of all votes
cast is required; in receives a ma
sorfty second election is held Except for in
r-alids. no carriages are allowed on Election Day
No franchises may be granted except on vote OF
The qualified electors The people reserve the right
20 regulate fares and rates may license street
Cars. meters, poles and similar fixtures The city
retains comprehensive oversight OF any franchise
affecting the city's water system. Each corpora
Sion is required TO make a detailed annual report
The city receives all franchises per cent of the
Eross receipts for the first fifteen years and per
rent for the remainder Of their life The city may
purchase anv public utility No franchise may be
txranted for a period than twenty five
years.
On petition Of Per cent OF the qualified electors
tan elective officer may be removed from once
Through the recall The Initiative requires Inc
signatures Of k per cent and after these have been
obtained the council has the option OF passing the
proposed ordinance of submitting it TO a vote
o< the people. The referendum works in the same
way Under penalty OF removal. no official may
receive free service from a corporation. A CiVlI
Service Commission is authorized TO provide for
placing the fire. police and public works employees
under Civil Service Other employees are appointed
by the Mayor upon recommendation Of the council
men The levy limited 10 . mills. and the
bonded Indebtedness 10 per cent Of the total
valuation excepting for the purchase OF profit
yielding utilities. section makes it obligatory
on ali physicians to report infectious. contagious
or communicable diseases, and the Department Of
Public Health is authorized 10 require such means
as II deems wise for protection.