The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-07-21

terniu6 DT popular vote Wn1tnor tno}
desire to adopt the new system. It
has been so successful In such cities,
as Galveston, Houston. Der Moines and
others. and 1t Is 30 simple and sensi-
BILE that 1t is strange that 1t Is not
universally adopted. Practical stu
dents of municipal government have
long since condemned the present al
dermanic form. 1t IL deeplrooted In
custom and sanctioned by old age, but
II is full OF fundamental defects. One
of the worst Is the ward system, which
makes possible ward politics. Poll
tics should have no place In city gov
eminent.
1T is essentially business proposi-
tion-the administration of large
corporation. The corporation OF Mont
gomery has property worth over $25,-
100000. with 5000 voting stockholders
representing a population of $4,000
persons, who pay for governmental pur7
poses about s750.o00 year. The dis
bursement OF this enormous fund Is In
the hands Of changing group of men,
most of whom are generally inexperi-
enced In handling large affairs, and
unframed In governmental matters.
Elected by a. ward constituency. they
generally represent their wards I'M
stead OF the city. They are not often
called by the people on account OF
special fitness for the ONCE, Dut py
their own strenuous efforts reach the
position Of their choice. Even II they
were always able men, the methods OF
conducting business are 30 absolute
and inadequate that they would be In
efhcient. The selection OF employees
the letting OF contracts. the granting
OF franchises, the fixing of taxes
and licenses and the general adminiss
tration OF municipal affairs, should not
be referred to committees and decided
In the dark. Direct dealing. between
parties face to face will produce bet
ter results.
"The points of excellence OF the
commission plan are numerous. the
whole city votes on the five men VINO
are to be given power and held re-
sponsible for an efficient admtnstra-
ton. Being paid moderate salaries,
they will not have the excuse that their
services are gratuitous. For failure
to perform their duties. they may be
recalled by the people. while employees
are subject to discharge at any time.
Their terms will be long enough to
give them experience. and violent
changes win be avoided by rotation
in Office.
"A conference of delegations from
birmingham, Mobile and Montgomery
was held last week to consider the
principal features Of bill to be con-
sidered by the Legislature, and IT de-
yeloped that there was hardly any
GU estion that, IL authorized, Birming-
ham and Mobile would adopt the new
plan.
"Does Montgomery want to get into
line? There is a strong sentiment In
favor of the plan, but under the pro-
posed act majority vote will be nee
cd This CIu0
will have to lead the movement TO
educate the people on the subject.
The committees on Publicity. Retail
Trade Banking Statistics. Agriculture
ana Cotton Trade. and Entertainment
made reports.
The meeting was rather informal
throughout, ana was resolved into
smoker. when the Commercial cruz
cigars as manufactured by the local
company were distributed, and light
luncheon IN which ice cream. CAKE
and fruit punch figured.
But before the luncheon came an
Interesting impromptu feature. MI. I.
w. wade. of Springfield, Me-. presi-
dent of the Wade Manufacturing and
Construction company was present.
and in an address voiced the benents
of cooperation on the part OF the
farmers.
Mr.. Wade. a successful farmer, has
organized farmers and fruit-grower'
associations In his state. to the great
benefit of the farmers. His plan
which obylates a gut In the market
as he promises, which gives the farm
err the best market and the best prices.
and which relieves him of the care OF
finding market, Is one OF co-opera-
tion.
Urges COming Industry.
A stock company is to be Formed.
according to his plans, to operate
cannery, should the farmers grow to-
matoes, Strawberries, or other can
able" products. The stock-company.
or association, furnishes to the farmer
the material for canning and grow
ing. The association then takes the
canned output and markets 1t. In
event the grower is not member Of
the organization, he is charged ten
percent for the marketing. A man,
weIl-versed in the markets, Is en-
ployed, to place the output at the
best figures,
The farmers. thus co-operated, have
an interest in the cannery, and
combine is formed which eliminates
competition between the individual
farmers and ensures the best returns.
For competition, says Mr.. Wade, where
iii one farmer, fighting hard for a
market for his product will under
sell another and thereby cut his own
throat figuratively, is ruinous.
He desires to inaugurate such a
stock company in this section. whereby
a cannery can be installed. operated
by a cooperative association of farm
ers, and the product marketed scienti-
fcally and advantageously. Mr.. Wade
declares that the canning enhances
the value of the products of stock
farming, and endorsed the growing
of the truck and smaller fruit, as a
safe sure, profitable crop, capable Of
divversification AMI perennial harvest
| ing. He wink be in Montgomery
through today. and will leave for Pen
sacola tonight.