davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16
The Des Moines Plan.

The Des Moines Plan.
The latest and most up to date form
of municipal government by commits
sion is an Improvement on the Calves
ton idea and is known as the DeS
Moines plan. 1t provides for the cleo
ton of five commissioners. one Of whom
is mayor. and in this respect is prac-
tically identical with the method in
use in the Texas city. The new fea
lures are the initiative. referendum and
recall. \ certain percentage of citizens
may initiate legislation, all public fran
chises except those of a minor char
acter must be submitted 70 popular
vote, and if officials do not behave
themselves the people may vote them
out of office just as they voted them
in. The Des Moines plan has now
been in force nearly two years and
has aroused the interest Of many cities.
In Des Mones the commissioners
are called councilmen. They are elect
ed at large. First Is held a primary.
in which twice as many candidates are
placed in nomination as there are
places to be filed. Then several
months are given the citizens to sean
these candidates, after which the reg
ular election occurs. No party dcsig-
nations are placed opposite the names
of candidates on the ballot. The aim
is to make the issue one Of personal
fitness alone. In the case of the may
or the ballot contains directions to
vote for one" and in that of the coun-
cilmen to vote for four" These are
the only elective officers of the city,
and full responsibility is concentrated
in their hands. Other officials are cho-
sen by the council through means of
rigid civil service examinations. As
far as possible partisanship is elm
mated in every way. The mayor :
little more than one Of the council.
though he has some extra powers, du-
ties and salary The present mayor is
A. J. Mathis, and in n letter to Jame5
g. Berryhill. the originator of the DCs
Moines plan. the mayor explains some
of the results of the new plan better
than I can do. l therefore give this
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16
Married 81 Years; Never Moved.

Freerort. H.. Feb. 1G.-Mr. AMI
Mrs. Henry Kochsmeier o. this city
yesterday celebrated the Goa annivcr-
sary Of their wedding. They still live
in cottage built AT the time o. their
marriage.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16
pax cet Aeido For Prz..r.

The fourth Thursday in this month.
Feb. 24, has been selected by The Ma
tiOpal INSTRUMENTATION association.
it is announced. rs Il day of prayer 10
be observed by members Of every
evangelical church in the United
States.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16
Feed and Fuel.
TATTOOED: DIES OF POISON
Illinois Men SuCcumbS After BaVing
American Flag Done i'm CoIoTs.

Danville, Ill, Feb. 16.-Art Blair.
residing a few miles north Of here.
hile in New Mexico two weeks ago
allowed his arm to be tattoocd with
the American flag in cOlors. Shortly
afterward he was rushed to hospi-
tai. where physicians pronounced him
suffering from blood poisoning. He
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16

letter in full. The plan was adopted
in 1908. and the letter was written in
the latter part of 1909 1t says:
Greater Public Interest.
"Of all the accomplishments coming
as the direct result of the adoption of
the Des Moines plan the greatest Is
the constant public interest in the
work of the council. This is a tangt-
BILE asset and the basis of all that
has been done This accomplishment
should he attributed to the DeS Moines
plan because 1t is essentially a system
of government with the charm of nov
elty in its workings. There was pre-
viously no public interest save that
inspired by property interests and pol
tiles. Next in Importance is a changed
press. which in an improved degree
tells what is going on at the city hall.
The press and public lean on each
other, and the council is thus inspired.
The Des Moines plan is responsible.
THE council has accomplished a
great deal as the result of this sup
port on the part of the people and
newspapers. Matters of great public
interest are not permitted to lag.
There is no disposition on the part of
any member of the council to conduct
any negotiation with selfish cOnsidera-
tions-for the advantage either Of him
self or others. In other words. the
members put all matters on a basis of
the greatest good to the greatest num-
ber' There is attention to matters of
all degrees of Importance by all city
employees. attention not given when
the public and newspapers were less
exactinG and cooperative.
Outside of some of the big concrete
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16

was sent to the hospital here. whore
he dice last nif Il.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16
Loc,.L MARKET CONDITIONS.
Tcday's Quotations on Prov sions. Live
Stock and Produce.

Tcday's Quotations on Prov sions. Live
Stock and Produce
Rock Island. Feb. 1G.-Following are
he wholesale prices on the Ioca,
market today:
Stock. Feed and Fuel.
Live Poultry - Hens. per pound
l21ac; spring chickens. per pound. 14c;
ducks. lie; geese. lie.
Bujter-Dairy. 25c; creamery, SOC.
Fresh Eggs-25c.
Lard-l4IRC.
Feed and Fuel.
Grain-Corn, G2-65c; oats. 47c.
Forage hay. SIS; wild hay.
SIS; straw. IS.
Coal-Lump. per bushel, 15c; slack.
cents.
Wood-s4.50 per load.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16
WORK NOT IN Vain
Illinois Retail Merchants As
ISOLATION Has Accomplish
ed Much.
REPORT is MADE AT CAIRO
Delegates Go Into a CIinch, However,
When Proposition to Raise Tax
is Submitted.

Cairo, ILL.,, Feb 16.-The 18th an
nual convention of the Retail Mer-
chants association of Illinois opened
yesterday with 300 delegates present.
The report of the Legislative com.
mittee shows the association has ac
complished the following reforms:
Obtained the passage of an enabling
act permitting cities, towns and vii
lagos TO enact ordinances for the sell
ing of groceries and vegetables by
weight or numerical count in place Of
measure
Obtained the passage of bill for
the sale of land to the Illinois Steel
company.
Obtained the elimination of mercan-
tile establishments from the eight
hour law for female help.
Obtained the passage OF the COM
mission form of government.
Assisted in the defeat Of the bill
prohibiting the sale of undrawn poul-
try.
Needs More Money.
President w H. Joesting stated that
more money was needed to carry on
the organization than the IS cents per
capita tax produced. and the question
whether 70 increase the per capita tax
or raise the money by donation brought
on great contention among the dele
gates. and the matter was finally LEFT
to a committee A Fl. Johnson, state
highway engineer. entertained the
delegates last night with his Illustrated
lecture on Good Road Building
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16
4 Millionaire Reformer.

Berryhill was born in Iowa City in
1852. He graduated from the State
university. took the law course and IS
now III active practice. He has been
a member OF the legislature. where lie
was chairman of the appropriations
committee and a leader Of the move
ment for railroad rate regulation. Mr..
Berryhill is claSsed as a millionaire
and is known as a refOrmeT. He be-
gan his fight for the commission sys-
TEN in Des Moines in 1908 and took it
to the legislature. where n bill was pass
ed giving cities of certain popula-
ton Il chance to adopt it. In 1907 the
people Of Des Noines voted favorably
to the proposition, and In 1908 it went
into effect.
The following states have legislation
bearing on the Des AIoineS plan: Iowa,
Kansas. North Dakota. South Dakota.
Mississippi. Minnesota Wisconsin, Ok
lahoma. Oregon. Washington and Tex
as. Among the cities that have adopt
ed the now system or are about to do
so may be mentioned Bismarck, \. d:
Colorado Springs, Colo: Enid. Okla;
Memphis and GAINESVILLE. Tenn; st.
Joseph. Mo: Buffalo: Tacoma. Wash;
Sioux Falls. s. n: Des Mcines. Cedar
Rapids and KeokUk. Ia; Galveston,
Houston. Waco. Fort Worth. Austin,
e. Paso, Dallas. San Antonio and
Beaumont. Tex; Kansas City, Leaven-
worth, Wichita and Topeka. Kan;
Havorhnl. Gloucester and Chelsea,
Mass; Boise, Ida; Charlotte. y. c.,
and Berkeley and san Diego, Cal. For
Il reform only ten years old and in its
improved form only two years old that
certainly shows progress.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16

n4dy be strengthened later. the civil
service spirit has governed in all
the minor appointments. new arch
bridge las been completed. and the
general appearance of all pubic
grounds has been improved. Many
hundreds of feet of cement sidewalk
have replaced inadequate walks. An
investment for a market place has
been made Levee improvement has
been undertaken. work delayed be-
cause of a disagreement with the con-
tractors Better results in the health
department are apparent There has
been no material reduction in the total
expenditures. but there is ample evil
dence OF increased running expense Tor
necessities and also proof that the city
has received just returns for the
money Spent"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16

government that has come as a direct
result Of the terrible Galveston food.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16
New York Stocks,

New York. Feb. Following are
the quotations on the stock market to
day:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16
Good Financial Showing.

Another and even mere significant
report as to the workings of the COM
mission plan comes from Mr.. Gels
Botsford. secretary of the Commercial
club of De- MoineS. A portion of
Mr. Botsford's letter Is as follows:
April !, 1908. the city government
under the old plan lacked $4,000 OF
enough TO pay the obligations of the
year preceding. On April /, 1909, at
the end of the first yehr under the new
plan. there was Il balance in the city
treasury over actual cost of running
the town for the year of $1O4,S55.
Mind you, this was done with COM
mission of five men, four of whom
had held offices of mayor, assessor
councilman and municipal judge under
the old system. Was it case of the
plan or the man."
Mt BOtsford proceeds to answer his
own question:
Just a case Of doing away with the
ward appOrtionment and the strife of
the ward alderman to get all he could
for his immediate constituents with
out reference to the cost TO the bal
ance Of the city"
Aside from the commission feature,
the distinctive element III the Des
Moines plan is the facility with which
the people themselves may act on both
measures and men. OF the referen-
DUN Mr. BcrTyhill says:
ITO remove one Of the most fragrant
sources of corruption all public fran
chises except those OF a minor char
acter must be submitted TO the pOpu-
lar vote for ratification before they
become effective. whereby it would be
improbable for franchise seekers to
corrupt the council in the matter of
securing franchises in view of the fact
that the franchise when secured from
the council might not be satified by
the people. Safeguards are thrown
around the action of the council to
prevent abuses of power"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-16
CITY GOVERNMENT BY 4 COMMISSION
Chief Features of the DeS MOineS
Plan an Improvement on the Gal
weston Idea Beneficial Results
For Which 1t Is Responsible. ::

letter in full The plan was adopted
in 1908. and the letter was written in
the latter part OF 1909. 1t says:
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
ROOSEVELT In
CUSTOMS ORDEAL
Former President Longs for
the Quiet Of Oyster Bay =.

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
on BOARD THE kAlsERN Au-
GUsTE VICTORIA. VIA WIRELESS TO
WOODS HOLE. MASS, AND LAND
LINE To NEW YORK. June lIpThe ter
rors of the New York customs house to-
day loomed before Colonel Roosevelt when
he was presented with blank forms OF the
customs declaration.
Roosevelt threw mp his hands when he
saw the number and variety of questions
that must be answered He reiterated,
however, his intention of going through
with the ordeal Just as any ordinary
citizen.
"But ! hope the inspectors will not APP
praise my stuff too high he said par
ticularly the gifts I am bringing hack
There are four cases Of gifts from roy
atty alone in the hold besides a tremend.
GUS lot Of useless plumber that proprieiy
required me 20 bring home Many Of
these gifts are of great value and II
they are appraised too high, my trip will
prove TO have been mighty expensive"
The Colonel said he would send his sec
rotary with blank check TO the apprais-
er's window with Instructions 10 give
them every assistance possible. The sec
rotary will he authorized 20 nm IN the
check for the ex-Presidents dues.
Roosevelt is apparently thehapplest an
aboard the ship.
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
NEAR PANIC WHEN
VOTE is CALLED
ONTHE RATE BILL

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
WASHINGTON. June 17.--senators be-
ing a trine show in starting debate on
the railroad conference report, to-day
Vice-President Shef---in sharply called for
vote and caused a near-panic
"All in favor of the adoption of the
report viii sal 49," he began IN sub
hitting the question. when the members
were shocked into sudden action.
Newlands, Democratic. Nevada, hastily
called attention TO the absence Of a quo
rum Newlands then proceeded 20 ex-
press his dissenting views He declar-
ed there had not been full and free
conference. AS representative of the mi
nority, he was excluded from all the
meetings Of the committee until a SUBJ
stantal agreement was reached II was
the first time, he said, IN the history Of
rate legislation that such practice had
been pursued.
Senator Bacon, DEMOCRAT Georgia.. ar
raigned Attorney-Generai Wickersham for
the active part he took I'm the preparation
of the bill and for attending the confer
ences.
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
"OI VETTE" AT SPRINGS
PARK NEXT WEEK

After a successful week of "Said
Pasha," which win have its last produc-
tons Tonight and Tomorrow afternoon
and evening, the Aeolian Opera Company
which Is filling an engagement at Bran
DIVINE Springs Park, viii give coli
vette" an next week "ssfd Pasha" is
well given, by the company and It has
made. hig hit II is expected that a
large crowd will be in attendance to-
night The Elks. who recently gave the
opera "The Mkado" will attend in a
body
For Sunday the company is preparing a
concert for the afternoon and evening
which will be longer and more elaborate
than that of last Sunday.
AS many Of the park patrons have be-
come familiar with the names and faces
Of the members of the opera company. Il
is a matter of interest to know who will
take the parts in "Olivette" next week
The cast for that opera Is as follows:
"Audran. Captain de Merrimac" viii
IT, Brown; valentine" Donald Buch-
anan Duke des IFS Harry Truax;
"Coquilicot." Harry Burnham; "Marke.
iol,' Edwin Williams: "Olivettei Miss
Georgia Campbell; "The Countess" Miss
Amora Hallam: "Veotine." Miss Eva
March, "Mustique" Miss Lou Petit
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
INSURGENTS
SCORE POINT
Rules to be Changed to Pre-
vent SmOtherine Bills in
Committee

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
WASHINGTON. June 1.-THE House in
surgcnts scored a bis victory 10 day when
the committee on rules agreed 20 report
favorably resolution. which viii deprive
that committee of It's greatest power--the
right to place any legislation in prefer
entail position.
II Is believed by the Insurgents that this
reform viii end forever the old practice
OF "smotherng bills IN committee The
Insurgents and Democrats had agreed TO
stand together ia a night for the resolution.
The voluntary announcement Of the
committee to-day caused great lation
among the insurgents who assert that IL
proves that tho progressive idea Is now
firmly established In the House
while the compromise rule which the
committee will recommend is not quite as
effective as we would like to have IL. IL Is
distinct victory one more victory In tho
list of reforms we started out to estah-
fish," said Representative Murdoch, in
surgent leader this afternoon.
"Our great issue however. is stin In the
BACKGROUND. That e. the cleaiion of a
committee on committees. We viii get
that at tho next session Of Congress with
out fail"
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17

Help WANTFp-FEMALE
TITANTED-A COLORED GIRL TO 20
w homework and take care OF chll-
dren. ss6 Market St, downstairs.
Junel6-2t.
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
WOODMEN IN
LOG ROLL FUN"

Delaware. Jacobs and Wilmington
Camps Of the Modern Woodmen of
America viii have a log rolling day
at Shellpot Park on July p. There
vii be outdoor sports, and addresses
by prominent men, including A. O.
Crozier, of this city, and Edward T..
Burns national lecturer, of Newark,
y. J.
The committee from each camp is
composed of II. Merrill Lynch, George
Z. Erwin and Charles Schultz from
Delaware camp; William j. Mcknight,
John p. Jacobs and j. H. Parker of
Jacobs camps; Joseph Gregg. John
Tamnis and John NJ. Terrier of Will
mington camp.
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
DROPS DEAD
WHILE SPEAKING
IN A CHURCH

PHILADELPHIA. June i7-Stagger-
ing and then falling 20 the floor while
in the middle of a speech at the regu-
lar monthly meeting Of the Wesley
Brotherhood Of the Woodland Avenue
NJ. +. Church at Fifth street and
Woodland avenue. Hery c. Harris. OF
No. 49i7 SaybrooS avenue, died instant
~. Heart disease was the cause.
Mr. Harris. who was about So years
Of age. has long. been an energetic
member of the church. The subject
Mr.. Harris chose was Happenings of
the Day" and he had been speaking
for five minutes.
Suddenly he stopped speaking and
those close by saw his face bianeh.
Then he collapsed and fell 10 the floor.
He could not be revived. The meeting
adjourned in confusion. and several
present sought nearby physicians.
When the first doctor arrived and ex-
amoned Harris he pronounced him
dead.
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
PROPOSALS
PROPOSAL FOR SUPPLY
OF BITUMINOUS COAL

VI Dl L ~ hlllNO ~ = &OkA1
SEALED PROPOSALS-END
ed proposals for Bituminous Coal"
viii be received at the Office Of the
Water Department, 5. p. Cor. sixth
and King streets. up to 1870 a., m,
Monday. June 18th. 1910, for supplying
the Water Department with Bitumin-
GUS Coal from the date of the award
of contract TO June 30th. 1911.
Each bidder must state i'm his propo-
sal his fun name and business adj
dress and the name and addresses OF
all persons interested with him. Also
that his proposal Is made without
any connection directly or irdirectly
with any other bidder for the work
particularly mentioned IN his propo-
sal, that IL is In all respects without
fraud or COLLISION. that no person act
ing for or employed by The Mayor
and Council OF Wilmington or any
Of its several Departments is directly
or Indirectly interested therein, or in
any portion Of the prospective profits
thereof
The bidder must name the mine from
which the coal will be delivered and
the price per ton of Two Thousand
t20o0) pounds at the Pumping Sta
ton as required. No bidder will be
ailowsi to submit prices on more
than one quality of coal.
Each bio must be signed by the bid
der and be accompanied by GER
tiled check in the sum of $4,000, I'm
addition to an undertaking signed by
the persons offered by the bidder as
his surefies who. must I'm all cases.
be resident freeholders OF the city or
Wilmington. or thoroughly respon-
sible surety company. which company
or companies must be acceptable to
the Board of Water COmm ssiOners,
declaring their consent to be such
suretics In the event of the contract
being awarded to such bidder: and
IF any contract be so Warded. and
such bidder shall fail TO complete the
execution Of a contract THEREFOR with
security for it's performance approved
by the said Board. then the certified
check shall he forfeited 20 said Board
and such bidder and the party or par
ties company or companies so I'M
dertaking ffr him. as aforesaid. shall
be liable TO pay TO the City Of Will
mington any damage in excess of the
amount OF said check that may be
occasioned 10 said City by such fall
ure.
A bond in the sum Of 10000 with
satisfactory surety company through
legally constituted agency will he
required for the faithful performance
remain I'm force during the term Of the
contract The printed form or propo-
sal issued by the Water Department.
shall be used i'm making out the bid
and tho price per ton Of coal must he
written I'm the proposal and also
stated in figures and any proposal not
I'm accordance with these Instructions
and not in the blanks furnished will
be rejected.
BY order OF the
Board of Water Commissioners
JOHN a. KrENLE.
Junel6l7lSA25. Chief Engineer.
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
sIrIIATION WANTED.
WANTED

yTIHNTET,~ FURNITURE OF ALL
w kinds highest prices paid Tor par
or entire households, Hotels, restdulg ilt.'
Office fixtures. roll top desks $3.50
nets sold or exchanged. Second-n manu-
tools bought Good secondhand CLONES
bought Overcoats and pants a speclal's'
club room chairs to hire.
phone Delmarvia. No. 23i3. l.,-
CHARLES S. HURLOCk,
1an7-tf Seventh and Poplar SIS.
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
HELP WANTED-MALE.

x1rANTED-RAIT.W WAY MAIL INTER
w nal Revenue, Postofiice Employees.
5000 to 81 500 Examinations announ4,g,es,l
Juiv 18th. Write Immediately Tor WI
r,inrton schedule Preparation free.
FRANKLIN INSTITUTE. Dept 20 -,
Rochester. n. Y. MdS-o-4iiio
xxyANTED-FOREMA EPERIEN ED
VIII furnace and foundation work. Ap-
plv at TROPENAS PLANT, New Caste
Del. Julelo2.
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
PAPER MAKER CHARGED
WITH ATTEMPTED BRIBERY

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
WASHINGTON. June 17-It was
learned to-day that secret agents Of
the government are searching New
York and Cincinnati in the attempt
to find Peter G. Thomson, of Hamilton
Ohio. president of the Champion Coal
and Paper Company of Hamilton. Ohio.
on the charge Of attempting to corrupt
NJ w. =. Zanzinger. "A postal card ex-
aminer of the government printing Of
fee, in connection with a big paper
contract with the Postofice Depart
ment
II is alleged that Thomson offered
Zanzinger money TO make to make a
misleading report on the quality of pa
per furnished TO the department.
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
colored Masons MAJ.

Union Lodge. No. 81 f. and A. NJ,
held a meeting last night and had as
its guests Past Grand Master Asbury
Sterling, Grand Worthy Master Will
liam II. caldwell, Grand Worthy
State orator Rev. Albert Price
Worshipful Master Garner and Wor-
shipful Master Pettyjohn. Addresses
were made by the Rev Alfred Price
and Messrs. Cauldwel and Sterling
Worshipful Master John L. Hubert OF
Union Lodge presided, and Charles
II. Bourse, worshipful secreAary, was
in his chair
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
REMOVAL NOTICE
BUSINESS CARDS.

vry e. WILLIAMS co.
w s2l Ocange ST.. Roofing, Spo1tng anu
Heating. Metal and competition T r,,l Is 8
ing promptly done. Phones Azo-ly'
Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-17
MAY COMPROMISE
WITH THE PACKERS

CHICAGO. June 17.-Rate compro-
misses with the packers and other large
shippers and discussion of a plan to
turn over to the government all of
the railroads in the country. are re-
ported today TO have been the objects
of secret conferences held by George
w. Perkins Of J. p. Morgan & Com
pany during his brief visit here.
Perkins spent part Of yesterday in
close conference with the heads of
western railroads and the rest of the
time he was closeted with representa-
tives of the big packing concerns.
with the packers it is reported ne
discussed the proposed railroad rate
increase and reached a compromise
which will forestall protests from
large shippers. when the new schedule
is flied under the railroad rate bill
soon to become a law.