The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-03-05

terence Win councilman Hancry, SUI
perintendent of the department of
public safety, and the result was an
order from Mr.. Hamery TO the chief
of police, instrueting him to see that
no fee broker was permitted to work
either in police court or about the
rooms er corridors of police head
quarters. This move absolutely broke
up the fee brokerage business in Dies
Moines.
Mr. Schramm is watching every dol
lar of the city's money like any bust
ness houses watches it's own resources
time, just the condition of every fund.
Park Man Is Busy.
One OF the busiest commissioners is
the superintendent of the department
of parks and public buildings. In
Des MOines, this position is filled by
j. Wesley Ash. To him is left the
detail of caring for the public parks,
the zoo, the public bath house, the
concessions in the parks, the matters
of identifying the city's drives, the
care of buildings in the parks, and the
care of the city's cemeteries. His
task is never ending. Mr.. Ash has as
sembled plans for creating a boule-
ward drive along the banks of the
Des MOines river, inside the city. He
has planned the countless little beau
ty spots" which make Des Moines
parks attractive
Mr. Ash has made a capable official
because he is hard worker-always
going. He requires IA full days work
from every man who holds a position
in the park department and the mo-
ment he believes the city is not get
ting value received for every dollar
paid any workman-be he a park SUI
perlntendent or day laborer. that
workman is discharged. There is not
one political hrelng under him, and
not. one man is employed who is not
needed
Some Coming Improvements.
Des Moines has prospered under the
commission plan, because of the elimi-
nation of politics and because of the
fact that master mind and master
hand controls every department of the
city's government. The commission
ers as a body are working harmoni-
ously and have numerous great pro-
jects under way. A $l25,OOO viaduct to
span the railway tracks at Seventh
street, the elevation of all railway
tracks inside the city limits; improve
ment of the Des Moines river banks
for flood protection; the erection of
new city nall at a cost of $35O,OOO, for
which bonds have already been voted;
the erection of two new market houses
for which bonds have been voted; all
these problems are in the hands OF
the commissioners and are being han
died as business men handle business
propositions.
Any One May Speak.
All sessions of the council are open.
All discussions are open. Anyone can
60 to council any time it is in session.
sit down with the commissioners, and
talk business. No one has trouble
getting the floor and no alderman
, is needed to introduce any public ques-
ton. If man has any, business of
any nature in which the city is in
terested, he can 60 to the council any
time it is in session and talk it over.
Or he can 90 to the superintendent OF
any department when he is in his of
flee and discuss public questions with
him.
The commissioners are always busy.
but they always have time to listen
to the people. Councilman MacViear,
superintendent of the department. OF
streets and public improvements, who
has fought a wonderful fight with the
public service corporations, suffered
breakdown from overwork last fall.
and spent a month in the Ozark
mountains recuperating. His first as
sistant conducted the affairs of mis- of
flee ably while he was away. but made
no effort to handle the big problems
Mr.. MacVicar was handling.
Des Moines believes the commission
plan is the only plan for properly con
dncting the affairs of city. Its mes
sage to the world s-select good men
to run your city and run it like you
run your business.