The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-11-18
Red Light District in Iowa
Capital Is Removed and
Rigid Economy Is Employed
In City Affairs.
NEW SYSTEM PROVES
SUCCESS UNDER TEST
It Shows That the Regenera-
ton Is Not Temporary One
Does What "Reform" Can
Never Accomplish.
(ey Carl 1ernhardt)
ARTICLE II,

ARTICLE II.
1t may be objected that many of the
things which have been accomplished ed
under the Des Moines Plan by the new
administration are merely local in
their application. This is very true
but the underlying meaning to all
these things is one of national interest
1t has been the purpose of these arti
cles, II possible, to let the average man
understand what can be done to better
average conditions in average Amer
dean cities.
Law Enforcement.
Des Moines removed the Red Light
District, a stupendous task. in a large
town. But the work was not of re
form" hNf SO much as of law enforce
ment and the effectiveness of the po.
lice. The superintendent of police
was removed in twenty minutes by
vote of council, and the force under.
stood. The chief of police disregard.
ed the order to close out the houses o!
Ill fame as had been done in times
past, by arresting few unfortunate
inmates. The department of public
safety went farther than that-it went
after "the men behind" Not q trace
Of the "levee" remains.
The important fact will be apparent.
In response to public sentiment the
council. obedient tc 1t, removed the su.
perintendent Of police. who was neg
1ecting his duty. There was action d.
rectly brought by public opinion. There
was law enforcement.
But would it have been accomplished
by the people If the officials were not
directly responsibwle to the people?
Would a police board. responsible to
the governor only, have acted so
promptly?
That is only one instance.
Removing = Police Judge.
The police judge of Des Moines is ap-
pointed by council under the new char
ter. 1t was proved by the newspapers
that the police Judge was in collusion
with the loan sharks and the bonding
companies. who went on the bonds re-
quired by all employees Of the city In a
responsible position. The papers en-
quired why such a man should be in
office. Then they enquired why the
council should not be recalled If the
police Judge should continue in office.
The man was removed Immediately.
That is another illustration of the
SO 1t is that the actual results are not
so important as the things which the
cause from which the results springs.
The cause of the results in Des Moines
is the power OF the people in the gov
eminent.
The Power Of the People.
There are pessimists in Des Moines
who will tell you that the good results
are only temporary: because the men
simply want to be reelected and arc
working for a record. But that is an
open admission Of the power Of public
sentiment. The Recall petition may
never be started. The Protest and the
Initiative may never be called in. The
fact remains that they can be used
whenever the people desire. 1t is the
real steel hand in the velvet glove.
Results Of the Plan.
These are the things which the new
council has done:
l. Electric ligh- rates have been re-
duced nearly 20 per cent.
.. Water ratees reduced SO Is per
cent. Cease in litigation.)
3. Gas rates reduced Is per cent.
Cease in litigati0n)
4. Railroads forced to build a
$4,000 viaduct, eliminating IS grade
crossings.
5. All city employees placed under
civil service.
6. Policemen required to attend
school Of instruction. where ordinances
and law acknowledgement effici-
ency are taught.
Z. City funds all bear interest (time
deposits per cent, per cent on daily
balances.)
g. Monthly statement Of condition
Of separate funds.
8. Concessions for parks let to high
est responsible bidder. C$1 .25O receiv-
ed for privileges first year,
10. County books audited periodic
ally to see that city Is promptly paid
money due it.
IL. Chief Of police removed in twen-
ty minutes for neglect of duty.
~. Paving contracts let 10 per cent
cheaper than under old administration
Personally inspected by the superin-
tendent Of the department. ICarloads
OF paving material rejected for the first
time In history Of Des Moines.l
18 Bids of contractors refused by
(Continued on Pare Eixht1