The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-19
do NOT WANT 1T.
Majority of COuncilmen Oppose
Commission Plan.
They Say 1t Gives Commission
ers Too Much Power.
is NOT ONE SIDED.
Mayor Green, Blakeley, Tandy
and Jordan Favor 1t.
esGOvernment and Fixes
Individual Responsibility.


city council revealed the fact that an
overwhelming majority of them are
opposed to the proposed commission
form of city government for Topeka.
1t showed that eight councilmen are
against the change in administration,
one neutral and three strongly in ia
vor of it. This might be taken as a
feather in the cap of the opposition.
but those who advocate the commits
sion plan assert that an argument can
be made from these figures favorable
to their cause. They claim that it is
something of a personal matter on the
part of some of the members of the
council. One councilman made this
statement: at can be a councilman
1 can't be a commissioner I want to
be a councilman, so you can judge for
yourself as to whether or not I am
for the commission plan" The state
ment has been made that the cor
porations are strongly opposed to the
new plan and this morning business
man accused one of the councilme en-,
more as a matter of a joke than any
thing else, of being in close touch
with the corporations. The council
man in question apparently was de-
cidedly surprised to be confronted
with this accusation for there Is no
ground for it.
Following are the comments of the
mayor and the councilmen;
MayOr Green-I am most as
surediy for commission government"
Councilman Blakely-"I am in ia
vor of the commission plan. I believe
that the present form is clumsy. At
present the councilmen don't know
the technical requirements more
time should be given to the work OF
managing the city's affairs so that it
NAV be actually known. what the con-
ditions are" Mr.. Blakely spoke OF
the committee on sewers particularly
and said that there is danger OF max.
ing serious mistakes on account OF not
knowing the technical points In con-
nection with sewer construction
Councilman Drew-"I signed the
petition. I want 1t to come pe1ore tne
people but I am going to vote against
Councilman Fink-"I am against it.
IT gives the commissioners too mucn
power. They say that the people
would have the say-so but I maintain
thew won't with commission govern
ment. The commissioners can meet
in five minutes and If any party mas a
scheme to put through 1t coulo De
rushed through and the people .Woulu
about it. When they think that they
can nut a man out OF Office they are
mistaken. TWENTY-FIVE per cent Of the
people is a big thing: II Is all T pbeH
will lust rub, their hands and work
Councilman Fraser: LAS nearly as
know now I will vote against II: some
features I like while others L dont
like. I don't think it fair compar-
ison to take cities where conditions
are different I don't like the power
it gives the mayor. -
Councilman Howard: 81 am oppos-
ed to commission government. Inc
council is so often criticised for being
so slow, but 1 believe that we have |
done ali we ought to have done this
year. I believe that there is more |
safety in the old system than IN the |
ouicker. but a little deliberation now |
and then can't hurt good thing.
Councilman Hughes is against
plan but does not wish to |
be quoted on the matter.
Councilman Jordan: Il am for 1t
because it provides for individual re-
I believe that the best
results cannot be had under the pres
emit form of government.
Councilman Lannan: Il am not IN
favor of commission government"
Councilman Miller: IT am neutral.
There are some good points for and
some against it. I do not see how the
could run the govern
ment any more economically tnan the
present council has DONE
Councilman Simpson: Il am against
It as far as 1 know now. L need more
before would vote. The
enough I think it just as possible for
wet people to combine and elect their
men as in the present system.
Councilman Stanley has been
in public against the propo-
sition.
Councilman Tandy: my chief rea-
son for favoring commission form is
that if any person in the city has
pet scheme he wants to get through
# is easv to get it through the coun-
ill as no one is responsible. With the
form one man is held re-
sponsible-"