The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-02-17
COMMISSION FORM O. K.

i
ing upon complaints and requests
from its taxpayers.
Corporations Conquered.
As a concrete example OF what the
commission fora of government could
accomplish in behalf OF debt har-
assed community, Mayor Davidson
cited its achievements in Wichita.
Prior to my election | made few
promises" said Davidson, but /
found my friends had remedied any
emlssness on my part. One had
kindly guaranteed that the commits
sion would force the elevation of the
railroad tracks on Douglass avenue
to relieve complained OF congestion.
was not sanguine that this could be
done, but as believed should en-
deavor, at least, to redeem the pledge
made in my interest. | started ont to
see WAT could be done. The result
is that an agreement between the
roads entering Wichita and the city
has been entered into whereby via
duct will be butt. and, in addition,
union station. The total cost Of the
improvements will aggregate an ex.
penditure Of $2000,000.
This was one of many experiences
related by Mayor Davidson illustra-
tive of what business men honestly
and efficiently applying business prim
ciplcs 0 the affairs of the city could
accomplish.
Take EN- Al OF,
We also found our street car serv-
ice unsatisfactory, he continued. 'At
the co.ner Of Main and Douglass
streets, Il had been customary to turn
rs cars, there being no loop. This
is in the heart OF our business dis
trict. We had an ordinance passed
relative to blocking the streets, max
ing it police regulation and bring
ing he matter under the contsol OF
the commission.
The street car company said /!
they complied with The provisions OF
the Law il would necessitate taking
of fourteen cars They came TO see
me aud | invited them to take them
all off. ] did not neglect to inform
them, however, that in such an even
II would be very easy to grant
franchise to company willing and
anxious to furnish the city the prop
er kind of se.olce. The result was
that they constructed a loop and
then, apparently seeing The point
built lnother where il was needed
wiihou; any spur.
While on the subject of traffic
nigh say that the commission haa
been OF Invaluable service to the
chamber Of commerce. We work To-
gethcr We, In cur position have tc
be boosters anl live ones. The peo
pie expect It, What's more, they de
mand it When we first tried ic
fight existing freight rates-that was
under the old system when | was in
the city council--we spent $4,000
without producing any result Their
We got together. got busy at Wash
inston and aided materially in fran
ing laws which are now IN effect I
There is no reason on Gods greer
earth Why yon snould not have thret
or five men to help build up you
city
Referring TO sanitariums and pub
tic hospitals. the speaker said that
they were an essential equipment Of
every municipal machinery of govern
ment- Wichita appreciates their
necessity, and Is erecting detention
hospital. Mayor Davidson declared
that II was not only folly but an
outrage upon public safety for a place
Of any pretenslon to have a pes
bnuua ttlapfod e,,ro o,t.lo.o oIo., . IL,
er bank to which those infected with
yirulent contagious diseases were
sometimes directed 10 wander and ap
ply for admission.
Money Is Apportioned.
Probably all these improvements
and measure of public safety are gen
eially thoroughly understood. What
is mose vague in the average mind Is
how they are to be paid for. Conse
quentlv when Mayor Davidson ap
preached the financial side Of Wich
las government. here was per
cepli5le stirring in seats and mark.
ed accession OF interest.
Our form OF government" he said,
provides for budget. On the hrs
OF every month there Is required from
each department detailed state
ment Of its receipts and expenditures.
When we make cur tax levy there Is
a CERTAIN amount of the revenue ap-
portioned to each department and II
Is the business of the department
head 10 see tha' he curtails his dis.
bursements within the limit OF his
apporticnment. AS the law depriyes
me of bly office, sends me TO Jail and
imposes other severe penalties II this
is not dcne, ! naturally make Ii my
business TO ser that there Is no ex
trayagance. want to add that there
has been very little difficulty expe-
riencel in keeping within the limit
prescribed.
Huge Debt Discharged
When we took hold, We inherited
an outstanding indebtedness OF $685.
000 It was no. the fault OF the pre-.
ceding administration They inner
tied similar Obligations, but it grew
with every yeag On the first OF ian.
nary las this entire amount had been
paid ard at the close OF the present
year The city will show a clean bal
ance ard probably profit.
But do not want to misrepresent
anything 10 yor, merely to impart In.
formation. Consequently, | want TO
tell yon how We managed. OF course,
TO defray current expenses and take
up so large a debt, we had 10 have
assistance from some source. We
went 70 the attorney general at To
peka with a refrnding suggestion. He
told US that the law OF Kansas did