The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-04-02
STOPS SMALL LEAKS.
COMMISSION PLAN SAID TO WORK
VERY WELL IN DES MONIES.
Big Saving to the City; Bills Are Cut
and Better Service From Those
Employed BY the Municipality;
Lighting Does Not Cost So Much !;
Higher Wages to Workingmen;
New System Is a Success.

Des Mones, March 26.-The first
year of the Des Moines commission
plan of municipal government, which
was completed last night, shows a saw
ing of 100000 over last year. While
in the last twelve months, under the
old system, the city ran into debt
about $4,000, the expenditures this
year will be $4,000 less than the
amount appropriated. Appropriations
for both years were about the same.
1t is the second time in the history
of Des Moines that the city has lived
within its income.
From a financial standpoint, at least,
the commission form of government is
proving "a success in Des Moines. Econ
new administration and this, with the
improved service from every depart
ment, has combined to make the people
feel that they are getting their
moneys worth from the city govern
ment.
No More Private Snaps.
A new system of accounting was in
stituted, affOrding a close check on
every cent received and paid out, thus
stopping small leaks which amounted
to hundreds of dollars a year. An or
dinance was passed requiring that the
city funds draw interest payable to the
city, and this has increased revenues
several hundred dollars year Many
sinecmes We're abolished, and now
every man working for the city is do
ing full days work. There are no
more political jobs.
Not only has more care been taken
in the spending of money, but greater
efforts have been made to collect
what is owing the city. Current re-
ceipts were greater than ever before
in the history of the city, in spite of
the fact that the custom of filming i'm
moral women was discontinued as soon
as the commission took Office. Care
full attention to the collection of Ii
censes is responsible for the increased
receipts outside of taxation. 1t is said
the stopping of small leaks due to
ing enough to pay the combined sal
aries of the five members of the com
mission, amounting to $4,000.
Saving to the City.
A substantial saving to the city was
made by an agreement with the cleo
tric company, whereby the price of
street lights was reduced from $75 to
sos Il year. This arrangement was
reached without litigation and after
two short conferences between mem
bers of the council and the president
of the water company. The commits
sion also reduced the price of gas
street lights, which had been arbtrar
lily raised by the former council. The
old rates We're restored over the pro
tests of the lighting company.
Wherever possible the city has been
making improvements itself instead of
letting contracts, and goodly sum
has been saved in that way. Higher
wages were paid to laboring men and
work was done at less cost to the city
than similar work had been done under
contract.
Each member of the commission has
charge of one department and gives
it his personal attention. There is no
divided responsibility and pride in
keeping down expenses is considered
responsible for the good results shown.