The Washington times., 1909-05-13

ment of, any city it's size in the United
States. With a population of a little
less than 100000 with farming and some
manufacturing as basic Industries. the
capital of Iowa presents the case of a
municipality which may be called fairly
typical American
Large enough TO have some of the
problems of the great centers, small
enough TO be like many other towns, the
success with it's "Des Moines Plan" is
of great value TO other places. Des
Moines has taken the Galveston idea of
a board of five municipal directors,
franchises, a recall for unsatisfactory
commissioners, a city civil service, and
a non-partisan primary and election.
This combination makes a remarkably
strong scheme Of government In the
opinion OF most OF those interviewed,
and It is worth while to inquire bow it
was initiated, and 10 examine its re-
suits.
The "Des Moines Plan was the result
of a natural development, not of q
crisis, as at Galveston, and no unusual
burst of public spirit can be said to be
responsible for its adoption or success.
In 1905 the feeling that Des Moines
might improve her government was
augmented by reports from citizens who
had visited Galveston. notably James G.
Berryhill. an attorney. and who spoke
highly of conditions there.
Bill IEto Legislature.
a public meeting and general discus
sion led to the Introduction into the
Iowa Legislature, in 1906, of a bill to
ALLOW cities of more than 5000 to adopt
commission government. The measure
failed to pass; but in November of that
year the Greater Des Moines- Club toolz
up the plan; letters in newspapers and
general discussion led to a great public
debate on January 81, 1907. at which
both the Galveston and the Indianapolis
system, OF a powerful mayor and
large council. were presented.
The meeting decided Overwhelmingly
in favor of the former plan; and COM
mittee appointed to daft a bill succeed
ed so well that it passed both houses.
and was signed by the governor on
March 29 1907 It took a year longer,
however. to get a suit brought before
the State supreme court to test the
constitutionality of the law, to hold a
primary and an election, and 70 start
the wheels running. A great number of
candidates appeared at the primary;
and at the election mixed ticket was
@rosen.
Under the Des Moines plan, the names
of candidates are arranged alphabeti-
cally at the primary. the names of tho
ten men having the highest number of
votes at the primary are placed upon
and the five receiving the greatest num-
Der OF votes at the election are declared
commissioners. There are no party
names on the ticket; il is not possible
Z In a
Of a column. and vote for all the men,
So the voter must know about each
man for whom he votes; and since he
only has to vote for five, his choice l.
comparativeIy easy and intelligent The
five men elected appoint all the other
municipal officers the voter selects only
the five.
Non-Partisan Election
This non-partisan primary and election
is regarded as putting a premium on
intelligence. and at the same time great
ly simplifying elections; it IS also said
to have practically abolished partisan
politics in the city.
The outcome of the election was to
place in power a former police judge,
two union labor men, a former mayor.
and a former city assessor. a board not
particularly in favor OF the new plan.
These men began their duties in April,
first year. What are the results?
IN the character o. the work done
by officials and employees, one item
which affords fair comparison, there
has been 4 marked change. Where
formerly men were retained on account
Of their Influence with the council,
they are now subject to discharge by
the foreman for Incompetence or drunk
euness. The chief clerk of the depart
ment of streets and public improve
ments states that in the old days II
took, in one case. three men a day and
a half to lower the level Of a catch
basin, job now Hf a few hours. Re
Gently the foreman in charge Of
sewer repair gang was dismissed be-
cause the work Of his gang was cost
ing too much, a thing unheard OF be-
more work IS done, and with better
spirit on the part of both the heads or
departments and the employees, than
ever before in the history Of the city.
Better Public Work.
IN comparative cost of paving. srad-
ing. laying Of sewers, and construction
OF bridges, It is not possible TO make
any study that would be Of value.
since varying conditions in materials.
labor length Of haul, character Of soil,
and the like, make It out Of the ques-
ton to find Jobs OF similar size and
kind TO compare. Careful examination
Of detailed statements for paving and
other work I'm liferent years showed
this method TO be worthless. Only in
the case of cleaning catch-basins and
in street lighting were conditions suf
ficientlv alike 10 compare the cost in
the year preceding April. 1903. with the
wear following. In the former case
each catch-basin cost $40 10 clean
each time; IN the latter, SlR.
In street lighting, detailed state
ment shows the large saving or $40, BIZ 90
in one year, besides the cancellation Of
a claim of the electric company for
1880. The present rate for arc lights
Is seE per year; il was S95 per year be-
fore April 1866. In addition, 603 lamps
formerly on moonlight schedule now
burn all night and every night. 1000
hours peE-year, a gain of ISIS hours per
| lamp pet year.
or the financial side the showing is
/ also decided, and. 50 far as can be as
certained, Il is not merely a showing,
but a fact Modern bookkeeping meth
DDS are used. the reports Of the various
/ departments are carefully checked over
/ and all moneys strictly accounted for.
Under former methods police justice
/ failed TO turn over several thousands of
/ dollars Of fcsS due TO the city until "A
i careful inspection revealed the discrep-
! ancy, and then there was no way of
/ telling whether all tie fees were turned
! over, since the justice. ia many cases,
/ had given no receipt TO those who paid
/ the fees.