The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-09-09

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PARSONS, there is nothing more certain
than the fact that, whether the CON-
mission form Of government Is the ideal
form or not, It Is better than the forms
Of government which preceded 1t in the
various cities.
The total list Of cities which now
have the commission form Of govern.
ment numbers sixty-eight. Many 9TH
ers have voted In favor of 1t and are
waiting for legislative action. OF these
sixty-eight, however, many are Of very
small size. Some Of them, in fact, are
mere villages and do not present the
problems that city does. Adopting
25,000 as a minimum population for a
true city, the list runs as follows:
Massachusetts - Gloucester, Haver-
hill.
Tennessee-Memphis.
Iowa - Burlington, Cedar Rapids,
Des Moines. Sioux City.
Kansas-Le Wichita, To-
peka.
Missouri-St. Joseph.
Texas-Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth,
Galveston, Houston, Waco.
OF these seventeen cities nine have
had the plan in actual operation so
short a time-a year or less--that ac-
curate comparison Of the results Of
the new regime as compared with the
old is not yet possible. All reliable
testimony regarding the commission
plan must therefore be based on the
remaining eight cities.
Brief as the trial has beea, the evil
dence nevertheless is startling. In
fevery one of these cities there had
been waste, some corruption and
much inefficiency. In all Of them par
ty machines had been in complete con-
troll and had been maintained in run
ming order at the public expense
through political favoritism in the
making of appointments. How much
the gangs" cost the cities was reveal
ed when the government passed into
the hands of men who having obtain
ed office without the help of the
gangs" could afford to ignore them.
Galvestou's experience has already
been described.
Gloucester-Commission plan In ef.
feet 1909. The first years report
showed all bills paid and a reduction
In the city debt Of $4,000 1t is
claimed that the roads and streets
have been better kept at $4,000 less
annual expense. The city bookkeeping
has been reformed, and the commits
sioners point to a reduction In the ex-
pense Of caring for public property.
1t is still too early to demand much In
the way Of tangible results.
Haverhill-Commission plan in effect
in 1909. The first years report un-
der the new plan showed a saving of
$4,000 in running expenses. When
the commission took hold the financial
status of the city was very bad. 1t
had reached both its debt limit and
tax rate limit and was steadily fall
ing behind in its payments. Appeals
were being made to the legislature for
an extension of the tax rate limit, but
this extension has now become unnec-
essary. In addition the city has voted
no license, the revenue from the sa-
looms being no longer needed. The
commission has been fighting a big
battle against the gas and electric
light monopolies to obtain lower rates
for the city and for private consumers.
and has obtained from the people per.
mission to resort to municipal owner
ship If necessary. There was fierce
political opposition to the commission
at the expiration of its first term, but
it was reelected. Party lines in Hav-
erhill, which was formerly Republic
an city, have been completely broken.
The commission consists of two Dem
ocrats, two Republicans and a So
cialist.
Cedar Rapids, Ia.-Commission plan
In effect in 1908. The commission has
reduced the tax rate and the debt,
while making certain big improve
ments, such as the requirement of a
big island in the river, out of current
expenses instead of bond issues. The
island is for municipal buildings in a
handsome park setting, in accordance
with 'city beautiful" plan devised
by an expert The police and fire
department forces have been enlarged
despite the reduced tax rate.
Des Moines, Ia.-Commission plan in
effect in 1907. In its first year the
commission saved $1S4,000 in running
expenses, as compared with the pre-
vious year under the old government.
1t made better bargains for the city in
electric light charges, obtained inter
est on city deposits for the first time
cleaned streets and alleys better, tht
alleys had formerly not been cleaned al
alb and wiped out the red light dis
trict," the effect of which has since
been shown in reduced crime. A sys
TEN Of periodical fines which were
practically licenses levied in this dis
! trict formerly brought in huge year
ly revenue and the financial results
, above noted were obtained despite the
ceasing of this illegal income.
Leavenworth, Kan. = Commission
plan in effect in 1908. The commission
hac raducad tha hnn1ad indaht adn aeS