The Washington times., 1909-05-12
ul-cEDAR RAPIDS. IOWA.

Cedar Rapids began operating under
the commission form of government in
April. Ices, at the same time as Des
Moines. The city is the center Of
thriving farming community, with some
manufacturing, and has population of
about 5000. ODe-fourth of its inhabi-
tants ara of Bohemian birth or extrac-
tion- With au assessed valuation of
so. .0oe, 900 and an annual expenditure for
municipal purposes OF about $4,000 Tex
clusive of special assessments) with a
mixed population. and both farming and
manufacturing as the source OF its
wealth, it is Ypical of many other Am
erican cities Of less than 10000.
The proposition to adopt The board
plan carried by only thirty-three ma
jority. Today it would probably Cur
nand the votes of 50 per cent of
the electors of the city; for only one
year of the operation of the new plan
has shown that even with ths mistakes
that commissioners make il is a vast
Improvement over the old system.
Five Commissioners.
Cedar Rapids has five commissioners.
as has Galveston; but they are called
by the name city council The may
or has no veto. only vote as one Of
the five; and 2 majority of the five
settles most questions These commits
sioners have large powers-as at Des
Monies-they make ordinances, appoint
all subordinate officers and employees.
determine the compensation paid (except
their own, which Is $3.50 for the mayor
and $500 for each of the others), ratify
contracts, and, In general, exercise all
the administrative and some Of the leg
isIative powers usually exercised by the
city council of other cities.
The most important legislative func-
tiOns are referred to the voters by
means Of a referendum An franchises
TO public service corporations must be
submitted TO a vote of the people, and
other ordinances may be, upon petition
OF = per cent of the voters. This con-
stitutes a most important check upon
the board. and makes Il practically i'm
possible to act in important matters
contrary 10 the wishes OF the electors.
Recall Provided.
Moreover. a recall is provided, by
means OF which a dishonest Or incom-
petent councilman may be removed
from office Upon petition of Is per
cent Of the voters a special election
shall be held, to elect a successor to
the commissioner whose removal is
sought; and the one receiving q ma
Jority Of the votes cast at this election
becomes the new commissioner. BY this
means it is not necessary to wait until
the end of the term before ousting
corrupt man On the other hand, %
per cent Of the voters is a large number
OF signatures to obtain, and is not
likely to be secured except on occasion
OF decided misconduct In office on the
part of the commissioner.
The mayor is the head OF the depart
ment of public affairs. John T. Car
mody. foreman OF boiler works, is
mayor. The department OF public safe
ty, including police and fire bureaus. is
in charge OF Ernest A Sherman, former
editor Of paper called The Record
He was a councilman for one year.
Charles .. Houston is head of the de-
partment OF streets and public improve
ments. He was mayor for four years,
and four years a councilman. The head
of finances is Matt ]. Miles. while Henry
IS. Keffer. formerly city clerk. has
charge of parks and public property
Th@se men compose the city government
of Cedar Rapids. Many OF their assist
ants were employed under the old gev-
ernment scheme
Old Politicians
It is charged that the new administra-
ton is largely composed Of those who
were in politics under the former syS-
tenn. To some extent this is true; but il
only proves how great an Improvement
is possible under the new plan. If it
succeeds with average men or politicians
in charge For the commission system
has succeeded, and one needs only to
visit Cedar Rapids. talk with citizens or
attend a meeting of the five men to