The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-26

=. Il
happen We have neither said these
practices did or did not prevail here.
The statements have all been gener-
al and not specific. 1t Is not neces-
sary TO treat the subject In any other
manner. Indeed, it Is the system,
not the officials, which is under con
sideration, and We believe that this
Is quite generally understood.
AS matter OF fact it is surpris-
ing that municipal governments
generally are as good as they are.
Few people have any idea OF the in
fuences that are constantly at work
and which make It impossible for
many conscientious official to carry
out his ideas as to what he believes
to be for the best interests of the
people Many man who has held of
fee, and who holds office today. real
ICES only too well that he has been
unable to carry out his ideas, ana
that his ambition to do some really
great work for the municipality has
been thwarted simply because Of the
inefficiency of the system under
which he was or is working.
The Herald proposes to continue
the discussion along the line OF the
general tendencies, showing the In
efficiency of the present system, and
where we believe the commission
plan promises greater possibilities,
better things for the people, a lower
rate Of taxation, and the application
of business methods throughout.
In this issue of the Herald will be
found that section Of the law which
thr eo1o - =
councilmen under the commission
FORM At first glance these salaries
seem high. But it Is un-American to
expect something for nothing. Every
man is worthy Of his hire, and no
where can this be applied with great
er truth than when applied to a
faithful servant OF the people in the
capacity of mayor or councilman.
The city's business is a great busi-
ness 1t involves vast amount OF
detail work In order that all matters
be acted upon intelligently. Five
men will find their time well con-
sumed who place themselves in touch
with all the detail. The salaries fixed
by the commission plan law are not
excessive when the duties to be per-
formed are taken into consideration.
by the application of business
principles, by acquiring thorough
knowledge of everything that comes
up before definite action is taken, by
stopping all the leaks, and securing
full value for every dollar expended,
1t has been proven In other cities
that the mayor and councilmen save
their salaries many times over, and
that It is cheaper In the long run to
pay them salaries commensurate with
their duties, than 1t is to have men
serve for nothing where the work is
only partially done, and sometimes
left undone entirely.
Many a resident of every city in
the state many times has had occa-
sior to wonder what becomes OF the
taxes paid into the city treasury. It
Is not that the officials are not honest
that better results do not obtain. 1t
is the slip shod manner in which the
buEiness is transacted No man is
paid to Look after affairs as he should
be paid. There is nc such thing as
placing the responsibility. It car
easily be shifted and is shifted. That
which cannot be charged up directly to
certain official is often neglected
and the people pay dearly for the
neglect. Under the commission plan
each official has specific duty to per
| FORM There is no such thing as
evading the responsibility He can be
removed from office for neglect. He
/ is paid for what he is assigned to do
and the result is that he does it. Tht
people benefit thereby. 1t Is tbs
/ saving Of the pennies, nickles, dimes
and dollars that makes it possible t.
conduct the affairs more economical.
and results In a lower rate of taxa
ton.
Under the commission plan law tn
council is in session practically al
the time The business of the cit
I is taken care of with the same pronp
ness and dispatch that characterize
the affairs OF any business enterprise
: There is no delay, no postponing, n
, dilly-dallying. 1t is business that
being transacted, and members of til
council can be found at any tim
: Each man having a specific duty
{ perform It is possible TO get any ma
ter before the council without della
1t receives immediate attention ar
final action Is taken just as quick
: as 1t can be investigated and the mel
8 bers can inform themselves so as
= be able to take intelligent action.
1.-THE workings of the council a
= like an open book. 1t is the people
u business that is being transacted, al
e the mayor and councilmen are b
the servants of the people, placed
: Office to handle affairs to the be
z advantage of all the people"
- Mr.. Ashford does not guess at the
things. He writes from informant
. gained at first hand of the practie
'e workings Of the commission plan.
INDUCES in no speculation as to VIII
a might, could, should or would occ'
he He simply records history as it h
If. been made wherever the commissi
ry plan has been tried.
In
al CEDAR RAPIDS TESTIMONY
=