Evening journal., 1910-12-02
MODERN IDEAS
ON GOVERNMENT
6. R. Woodruff Points Out
Some Benefits Of Com
mission Form
ADVOCATES STUDY
OF OTHER FORMS

Representative men and women of
the city, including large delegation
from the Board OF Trade. heard an
eloquent and persuasive address on
the Commission Form of Govern
ment," delivered by Clinton Rogers
Woodruff in the High School Auditor
ium last night under the auspices os
the Civic Association OF Wilmington.
In introducing Mr.. Woodruff. the
chairman Of the Civic Association.
Herbert r. Ward, spoke Of the organi-
zafion OF the association with the two
objects of studying municipal govern
ment, and Of securing a new charter
for Wilmington He said that possibly
some members had In mind the COM
mission form of government for VIII
mington, but the organization had no
set ideas. Mr.. Ward invited any man
or woman, who desired. to give their
names as members TO Arthur l..
Bailey. At the close Of the lecture
Mr.. Ward announced the annual meet
ing OF the Civic Association TO be held
in the Board of Trade room at s
o'clock next Monday evening, which
may be attended by prospective mem
| bers, and at which officers and an
executive committee will be elected.
Mr.. Ward explained that at present
there were no dues, but It was thought
best to meet expenses by voluntary
contributions from members.
The chairman said that the associa-
ton had asked Hr. Woodruff to lee
/ ture that It might help them TO form
| their views, since the speaker of the
evening had not only studied the sub
| iect of municipal government for
I years, but had served two terms in
the Pennsylvania Legislature, and was
a member OF the municipal govern
ment commission appointed by the
National Municipal League.
Mr.. Woodruff emphasized the prim-
airy need of any city of 100000 in
habitants. as self-knowledge saying
Il was probable few citizens OF this or
other cities could pass a simple ex-
animation on their city government
creditably. He said that 100 years
ago the city government represented
/ little; only a small part of the popu-
lation lived IN cities. and the city did
not az that time, educate the young
clean or pave the streets. haSc. pQ
lice system, provide light an, trans.
portation. extend Fairgrounds and
other social facilities, or the many
phases which make municipal govern
ment so important as Il is now. when
nearly half the people I'm the country
, either live within city limits. or come
IN direct contact with city govern
ments every day. He thought the
I Civic Association could profitably
spend some time In getting an ade-
quate idea Of what they we're up
! against II might sound simple TO get
a new city charter, but they had to
work in harmony with customs and
precedents.
Commission Form Easily Understood.
Mr.. Woodruff did not consider the
commission form the last word In
municipal government. but he made
the following points In its favor First,
It IS so simple as 10 be quickly under
stood by every citizen. In essential
idea, under this form. the concentra-
ton OF all the powers necessary for
government of a city are placed IN tho
hands of five men. elected at large by
all qualified voters to transact all the
city's business. The number Of COM
missioners. way of election, and their
powers, may vary In different cities.
The Des Moines charter, under tho
form, Is a pamphlet the size OF mans
hand. of twenty-seven large-typa
, pages. The speaker made the point
that many cities are at present in
efficiently governed because the gov
eminent is so complicated that only
engineers and other experts can I'M
derstand il. The practical politician,