The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-01-24
"BRINCING DEAD
CITIES TO LIFE"
Remarkable Article Showing the benefts OF
Commission Form of Government
How Guthrie May Profit In the
Same Manner as Des
Moines, Iowa.

4 commission form Of government
for the city Of Guthrie
Are vou for or against III
Are YOU informed on this kind Of
c;ty governments Read the follow
ing article. taken from the Technical
World OF February. 1910, by r. a.
Moorhead. Cities nearer home, that
have recently adopted this form OF
government and are prosnerng as
never before. are Wichita, has,;
tulsa, Enid and Ardmore, while Sa-
puipa Oklahoma City. McAlester and
a number OF smaller cities in This
state are now making basic 10 come
nnde this form OF city government
Guthlie is the last city hi the state
os like population. 10 take up This
madern method og cNy government
Icing The capital city OF the state.
shoald we be leaders or followers
rhis method of city government is
no longer an experiment but i in
fact a reality and success In every
instance where tried. What are
some OF its strong poinis2
First--lt does away with ward
lines.
Second-T makes eyesy man in
terested in the whole city, instead
of one ward
Thira--Ii calls for The best talent
10 till the offices
Fonrys ls provides !or recalling
an officer AZ any time upon petition
81 IS per cent Of the yoters.
Fifh-lt requires its officers to
furnish a good h7nii
Sixth--it requires ttIsn 10 give al
theis time TO the city.
SEVENTH requires them 70 ne
strictly non-partisan,
Eighth--if paws its officers a iiv'
ing and reasonable salary, in order
that they max give all their time q
the needs Of the city
Ninth--Nos single city that has
adopted this form OF government. oui
of the many. during he past ter
wears. thar has returned 70 the ward
system. The Illinois legislature has
jGsi passed an act permitting al
eities of lN.a0o in the state 20 havs
this form Of government.
Tenth Bur little time, under IN
( present ward system, is given 70 tn
cause OF the many unnecessary ieaT
that sap the eisy's revenue
: Elevenih-Reiter results can D.
obtained through three commission
ers. who are at all times accessible
md easily found. than under th
,reseu, SYSTEM OF meeting al nigh
once or twice month TO wEangl
aver petty matters 10 ihe detrimen
ot more important business OF u
sity.
! Twelfth-It an error Is made. 20
can readily at any hour IN the da,
,sli on the commissioners Tor r
dress. But at present you are 'old
MATT until next council meeting me
a have ii referred 10 certain cor
nittee 10 report at next meeting
then 10 learn they have nor had tin
10 investigate and finally 10 die L
van, OF action. Friends OF the wal
system. boast that conneilmen q
,nly paid S72 year Are they Wort
K 10 the city2
Thirteen,h-H has reduced take
encouraged better men 20 take chari
h Of the ciiy's affairs; furnished clea
4 : streets: saved money in purehs
4 ing all city supplies. and by giyu
1 ST their time to the city husine'
!, brains and energies thus concentrate
have done for municipalities wha
being done every day in private !
hv the business man.
Fourteenth Have We no. triel
esrd system long enous How q
are We 10 continna Il try 20 rUn
: city by raising $4,000 revenue
umally and spending slaAoeag 7
day Is coming on this balance, ju
ments are piling mp each year ard
/, anly esult IS higher taxes
4 This improved method Of city :
a tfnmeut is coming. The MAYOR
4 called an election for February
y y Can we have Il 100 s0on@