The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-01-06

1r the water system, are all owned by
1-fvate companies.
Nineteen steam railroads.
One hundred twenty-three miles of paw
One hundred eighteen miles Of water
One hundred thirty-four miles of gas
mains.
Former Conditions.
Your committee made careful inquiry
concerning city government conditions I'M
der the old regime. We were informed
ina. twenty years ago Des MOines was
in debt TO the legal limit. Since that time
she has lived within her income, reduced
her bonded debt by S5Q0009 and spent
about 10000 in permanent imprOv-
ments. The city hall is a very untidy
building of little value, but Des Moines
has. on the other hand a splendid Ii
Hary building erected by the city, well
equipped. Osung about $4,000.
The city was formerly governed by "a
mayor and nine COunCilmen. one from
each Of seven wards and two at large.
CounCllmen were paid $50 per year each.
The usual undesirable conditions under
The ward system prevailed, and the city
business was characterized by consider
able waste and extravaganza. the streets
were unClean and the sidewalks in a bad
condition. As responsibility was divided
among so m any, no one could be held
to account II Is the testimony of all
with whom we talked that city work was
poorly done. We, however. learned of
no serious scandal during this period OF
the citys history.
The city Is divided by the Des Moiues
river; the state capitol and some other
public buildings are upon the east side
but about 50 per cent of the business and
wealth is upon the west side. There was,
and by some it Is claimed there still is
EIlT & h. - =
the river and a tendency on the part of
The east side to vote together.
Campaign for Adoption of Plan.
A knowledge Of the great benefit re-
'Ilung to the city of Galveston by reason
li The adoption Of the commission system
ed some public spirited citizens of Des
doines to visit Galveston and make a
7poFt upon the system there. Upon their
eturn meetings were held and comr,it-
ees appointed and campaign inaug-
rated Tor the adoption of a commission
ian in Des Moines.
As ia Utah. the first legislature to
.hich the plan was presented refused TO
ass the bills. The Des Moines commit
ae which drafted the bill that finally
asSed took the best features from sew
tat dliIerent plans of municipal govern
lent The system of five commissioners
'as taken from Galveston. the Initiative.
itrendum AMI recall from Los Angeles
ne civil service system from Portland a
Tmary election law had been in force in
1wa for several years
The citizens of Des Moines had already.
1F ten years, had an opportunity to OBJ |
lFe 2 commission system in the man
cement or the public corrective and /
aarltanie institutions Of the state. sew
fteen Institutions having been for that /
eTiod Of time under a board of control. /
insisting Of three commissioners. who
ave run charge Of these institutions.
tn1er the Iowa law the local voters of /
p guy determine by 4 majority vote /
neither or not they will nut the commits
on plan into operation.
4 business men COMMITTEES, consisting /
81 leading business and professional !
en- conducted a campaign of education |
H The adoption of the plan and raised 1