The Caucasian., 1910-10-20
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
AND WHY7


with her commission plan of municipal
government in the financial showing just
made. When the commission took hold
there was deficiency in the treasury,
where there is now handsome surplus
II illustrates the difference between the
business methods and the extravagant
methods. San Antonio Express.
Austin is no exception to the success
attained III the management of the aft
fairs Of the municipality, as applied fair
II on the plan of Government by Com
mission.
The difference between the municipal
fi1anags by mayor and the ward
eosinciInen and the Commission Form is
strikingly manifest in that extravaganza
is the opposite of practical economy. and
that while the affairs Of the city are COM
Quoted in the old style on political lines,
the better system demands the attention
Of the commissioners as is required of
the boards Of directors, doing their best
to promote the interests and the success
Of the bank, the corporation or the firm
they are authorized TO represent
A municipality operated by mayor
and counciInen, old system, once in debt
IS always in debt. until relieved, as Aus
tin, Texas, for instance. and other mu-
inequalities which are now reaping the
advantages and the benefits derived from
Government by Commission.
However. in considering the success
9f the Government by Commission sys-
tern Il should be borne in mind that the
commissioners iii Austin, Texas, and IN
other cities have not assumed nor pre-
sunied that each was vested with author
ity to do as he chose in naming or in
selecting subordinates and in the man
agenent Of his own department, but
each have and each do act and work
Jointly each co-operates with the other
and collectively reach conclusions by the
flsle Ell The majority. which leads to sub
stantial and practical results.
Cooperating in this spirit, the COM
Asioners, acting aud working as direc-
tors 81 bank, keep III mind and In view
al that which Is promotive Of the well
fare of the community, each recognizing
and appfeciating the fact that the failure
81 one commissioner in fulfilling antici-
nated requirements must reflect discredit
os The whole commission.
Another feature which should enlist
attention IS the consideration that in
nstins Texas, and ii other cities where
the Commission Form is 10 effect, after
eliminating every unnecessary effice and
consolidating others. that in the choice
IF sstbofdinates preference was given,
al other things being equal, TO the men
sslap bad assisted il the promotion Of
TIC system and not to these who had re-
sisted il and fought II.
In the establishing Of new system
The men entrusted with duties should
have been and be ii full sympathy and
aseord with the administration.
II the application to Shreveport Of
this reference TO Austin, Texas. and
atllef cities, there IS offered opportunity
Eos reflection and due consideration, but
tie very substance, the very strength and
1Ise power of the commissioners lies in
fhe hafncnious conjunction and in CO.
operation of one with the other, as do
The directors Of a bank upon whom all
ponsibility for success or failure mist
s
Il may BE- with the commissioners as
S with the directors OF any institil
fiot II The directors do not measure up
6 requirements, they can be recalled and
the vaeanev be filled readily, but the re-
oval Of one Of more directors will net
impair tfs stability Of the bank nor its
eFed So i Is with the Commission
Fsfni
II TOE Government By Commission has
h aud IS a success ia Austin, Texas,
and other cities whose experiment
with this system Is most satisfactory,
Why should Il not be equally as success
fu ii Shreveport.
ae answer i direct Il should be
snd Wili he if TIE Shreveport conmis-
s;oners viii follow the precepts Of Ans
tin. Texas. and Of other cities where the
system IS filing the needs Of progress
se communities
"a