The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-21
MICHIGAN INTERESTED.
Roy Bone Was Interviewed About
Commission Government.

While Roy L. Bone. city commission
er. was in Michigan on his buffalo hunt
he received the following newspaper
comment concerning the working plan
of the commission form of government
in Topeka, from the Detroit Free
Press:
Roy L. Bone, commissioner of
finance and revenue of the city of To-
peka, Kan. is in Detroit, partly for the
purpose of investigating this city's
method of garbage collection and part
ly to arrange for shipping back seven
buffalo which have been offered to his
city by Joshua Hill of Pontiac. Mr..
Hill went to Topeka years ago for the
and making his fortune. He was sue
cessful in both. and now wishes to pre-
sent the city a token Of his regard
Topeka began operating under the
commission form of government last
April said Mr.. Bone, "and after eight
months of actual experience we are dis
posed to believe that it is going to
prove a splendid success. The cost of
administration is probably greater than
under the old system, SO far as salaries
and office expenses are concerned, but
that is more than made up by the saw
ing in the manner of doing the city's
business. For instance, 1 have saved
five times the amount of my own sal
airy in the eight months that have
been in office in the single matter #
marketing our municipal bonds. We
refunded one $4,000 loan and reduced
the interest from to AZ per cent, and
we sold $4,000 of new bonds at Az per
cent when all the bankers told us that
8 per cent was the best we could hope
to do.
with the city run on business prin-
c1ples the same as private corpora
ton. the investing public has greater
confidence in its securities. You I'M
derstand that in the west Az per cent
is very low rate of interest for Il
municipal bond, and z per cent is not
At all an uncommon rate. The city has
just built an incinerating plant for its
garbage and is looking for practical
ideas for the equipment I'D manage
ment Of the collection department.
IFrom Pontiac Paperl
Roy L. Bone of Topeka, Kan, who
| is in the city for the purpose of super
vising shipment of the herd of buffalo
giving by Joshua Hill to the city of
| Topeka, is one of the five commission
| ers who have charge Of this municipali-
| ty, he being in charge of the depart
ment of finance and revenue.
Mr.. Bone states that Topeka enjoy
| ed good government under the old
| council system but that the present
plan is bound to prove a saving and
add to the efficiency of public transac-
lions. Topeka adopted the plan last
| spring and in the choice of men was
| fortunate, they working tremendously
| together and for the interest of the
| taxpayers. Already much money has
| been saved in settling claims and in the
selling of bonds. Commissioners are
| paid 81 800 each year. the mayor draw
| ing $4,000. Practically all of their time
| is given to city business but the char
| ter does not make this obligatory. The
| system discourages petty politics and
| makes the management of the munich
| pality a business proposition.
| Statement Published Monthly.
| According to Mr.. Bone there is pub
| lished statement each month, show
| ing the receipts and expenditures fol
| the previous month. This gives the
| people confidence in the commission as
| they can see at a glance how public af-
/ fairs stand, and what it costs to main
| tain the city.
| A novel feature of public expendi-
| ture at Topeka is the support which
| IS given to the band. This organization
has for many years had $500 from the
treasury and for this sum Is concerts
| are given during the season for the
| benefit of the public. I'VE consider this
| as one of our necessary entertainment
features said Mr.. Bone. land the peo-
| tanning the institution but are at the
same time encouraging kind of amuse-
ment that is healthful and education
AL"
Topeka's tax rate, including state
county, city and school is SIS on the
| thousand.