Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-04-01

rates for water would have been re-
duced from 80 cents to 20 cents per
thousand gallons, and 1t is believed by
the commissioners that the litigation
which resulted will bring about cheap
er rates.
Gas rates, which We're arbitrarily
raised by former city council from
SIT to $22 year. have been dropped
back to the old rate. The Wesbach
Street Lighting company has protest
ed and refused tender on the rate es-
tabished by the city Until settle
ment is reached through the courts
the city has use of all the money in
Yolved amounting to several thousand
dollars.
Steps have been taken toward the
establishment of the Chicago proflts
sharing plan for the settlement of all
litigation between the city and the
street railway company by which the
city will have an interest in the lat
ter's business.
"Red Lights Put Out.
The most widely advertised accom-
wiping out the red light district" De-
plorable conditions and the discovery
of white slave traffic, which resulted
from crusade by Councilman ]. L.
Hamery head of the department of
public safety, were directly respon
sible for an order notifying keepers of
immoral houses that after Sept. Is
their business must cease. All were
summarlly closed, and the order was
the death knell, because vigilant po-
lice service and numerous raids have
! reduced the social evil to the minim-
um The running of houses of i'll
fame is practically impossible.
Coincident with the suppression Of
disreputable houses the bond shark''
4 yr-l
the adjustment Of "the district" this
evil had to go. 1t was in fact this bus
mess that led to the crusade against
the scarlet district, for the men who
held the women In bondage grew SO
bold that at intervals they had them
arratgned in police court to force pay
1 ment on commissions. Now bonds
men are not even allowed to operate
in police court. Another accomplish
nent of Superintendent Hamery Is
the adjustment of slot machines.
/ After haggllng for more than twenty
| years for a viaduct on West Seventh
i street the new administration has
brought about the long hoped for i'm
/ provement, and that without litigation
Or appeal to the state railway commits
sion
The city hall is free from politicians
and political influence. The non par
4 tisan nomination and non partisan
election put the old political machine
in the junk heap and there have beer
no city Jobs filed by election debts
Only competent men hold the place!
and numerous discharges have beer
made, showing that the incompetent.
are released without delay.
The success of the Des Moines plar
has been SO spectacular that it has at
tracted attention not only in ever.
state in the union, but in many for
eign countries The favorable adver
!, Using the plan has given the city i
considered the most far reaching o
anything in the history of Des Moines
; Hundreds of apparently small &C
!, complishments that in the aggregat
,, amount to a great deal have resulte
! from the commission plan. Others tina
i do not appear at the present time wi
s present themselves. as the result of re
arrangements steps now being taken.
Many benefits pass unnoticed, bu
it is generally recognized that the cit
q has been more economically manage
v in every way and better results hav
i. been accomplished in every depart
: ment under the Des Moines plan tina
:, ever before.