The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-08-01
SOUNDS PRAISES OF
Commission PLAN
! OF GOVERNMENT
System Has Worked Wonders in Des
Moines, Iowa, Says Rev. +. w.
Hodgdon, Who Occupies Detroit
Pulpit Temibrarily.
Graft Has Been Eliminated and Rul,
Of the Political Trickster and
Ward Heller Ended.

~ A forceful exponent of the commits
'..nI sion from OF government for cities Is
the Rev. r. w. Hodgdon. pastor OF the
"a Plymouth Congregational church, Of
lor | Des Moines, iowa IL was he who
aor4 took a leading part In the movement
Cd that resulted in the adoption OF this
the bfxsten, by Des. Moines. since IL has
many yen In effect there the city has been
Known hltifed: the citizens are taking
They defe pride in their city than ever be-
The me3 and the sinister Influences that
Craig. Re formerly felt In the city's affairs
given way To progressive
o1acesf thods. for under the present plan
hvinae domination by the railroads and
centlyle large corporations is practically a
Painting of the past.
d thefThe Rev. Mr.. Hudgdon Is spending
tie ots vacation at Frankfort. Mich. and
ariokas filled the pulpit OF the First Con-
~ gregational church in Detroit for the
:. past two Sundays He received rep
resentatHe OF The Times In the fuller
~ hotel. He said the commission plan
n movement In Dcs Moines was started
a II by 500 representative citizens. Albert
M NIB. Cummins, now United States SEN
Ex ktor, was then governor of Iowa. He
VIC IA reformer OF the pronounced type
nd used all his influence to get the
&ecessary legislation. This was done,
knd Des Moines today Is far In adj
Vance Of the Des Moines OF three
years ago when the system was put
Nj I'm effect. The public conscience has
~ ibeen stirred and the citizens who for
s1 lmerly remained in the shadow OF the
~ churches are taking leading part in
bansle city's affairs.
1.-THE system in Des Moines.' said
Vida Rev. Mr. Hodgdon, consists OF
AN \ commissioners, one OF whom rs
knated AZ the mayor. The nomin'
Ad.,.hs for these Offices are made Dy
.'ssHt primary, the ten highest candi-
"a being voted for at the election.
mayor has powers OF general sup.
N col hon. hut he has no veto power.
~ an hjority vote of the commission Is
nnt, sary to transact business. The
III OF Ziissioners are elected for two
keqe III charge Is made against Q
*ADPkers Der of this commission the citi-
kmfrpe H,ave the privilege at any time OF
n. y streAg him ND for election again and
lsov. Hiblic denounces its judgment. II
m tyfeves the accused Official has
Fedt maligned his election will voice
Pred lentiment OF the voters. II the
Be9s believe the Official is unht for
&ffice he holds the election OF his
en c1ent will announce their verdict.
eveJch member OF the commission
ypre hts his assistants, the entire
N pte passing on these appointments.
are Ave departments in Des
NJ Bhtn l,over which this commission
ms,{dnblic works, public safety,
49, vGd boulevards. streets ana
uu.y This plan places the respon-
e Nj any negligence on the part
ma commissioners. Each Of these
ID strict account for this
the city's government and
81. any flaw he must explain.
4 lew system is especially val
, Ter as the street railway
Va 80. tsoncerned The franchises
- - s,any have expired and be-
! E.rd. ~ kn be renewed the people
ky them The commission
ufTNER ,mulate a plan OF settle
q - rimit Il TO the voters, and
vF A1 pcommon council, will de.
60 ..e1k~w don. for we have no aid
"a r. Mines the member OF the
80. eho Is designated as the
- 49, EA14 ~l6O0 per year, and the
4 r<$'NIt would. perhaps, be
"a ~ N hem more, and these
80 <4e ...ir- IA raised In the near
r,,,t Inc commission form OF
"a tt &Xk0&4t Dut tncX = ~. NJoinne is
~ III rnment so as pes Mo,nes =,
J. reArSerned Ia prd puncea success success. ., =,
hal nareated it Oh prost ,s -
~ Sd6cs I'm extent ny any citizen Is
All ed to try "a Instruct plan 10
|s3 EN- The beSutifIk Jon of the city.
lE'y3.,F r, REV. Mr.. HuAion is keen
snol,l al student. H6Ahas used his
SulpIk TO denounce gran aud corrup,
4, w lion nd to urge his parthioners 10
\, WI xtanly these abuses out 4 his city
Ass affaifs. In explaining howDes MONIES
s Ill has turned from city shamed 10
~ city awakened-for the freets OF Des
Moines before the new oder OF Things
,H were in terrible suc and otner
4 k@& things were equally AZ bad-he says
n Ms city is only one Of fany that have
\ ~ are TO put In vogue pc commission
.&< farm of government. lie pointed 10
me Galveston PLAN which was
worked out by leadip citlzens ai.er
"a he reat food there, fhe pes Molnes
{ plan Is similar to r. Galveston plan
and So are those toms OF governmen !
t<ff that Bos tonsi nd using ana wnicn
~ Pittsburg is abod to put IN force.
<tX In the opinionfof Pastor Hodgdon
wv Commission Hm OF government is
lf only way toblace In the hands OIL
~, - 40 represencive citizens the ma
11 chinery that trects the analrs ., III.
cities and t0stamp out me ruie y,
~ the politicsErickster ana inc warn
>, heller.
m go. -. t,it