Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1910-10-18

the successful candidate serves for
the unexpired term. If the incumbent
wins he continues in ONCE. A recall
election was held in Dallas reoentv,
two.members of the board Of education
being removed for alleged incompe-
tence AMI Indifference 10 the welfare
Of tie schools. The recall IS one Of
the most powerful weapons in the
hands Of the people-so powerful that
its use is rarely necessary, a mere
knowledge of the fact that it is avail
able being sufficient as a rule to keep
the servants OF the people alive 10 the
interest of tie public.
The School Board.
The board Of education of Dallas Is
elected b. the people and it has full
charge OF the public schoo 3. though
appropriations OF sums in excess Of
one thousand dollars are susject to
the approval of the commissioners. A
park board is also provided, but this
body IS appointed by tae mayor, SUD
+. ject to confirmation BY the commits
sioners.
Contracts let by the commissioners
for work involving a sum equal 10 or
in excess OF five hundred dollars must
be advertised and let to the best bi Z
der.
Public Franchise.
The board OF commissioners is dela-
gated wit. the power to fix and regu-
late the fare and rates Of pubic SER
vice corporations enjoying franchises
in the city of Dallas, and il has author
ity to examine the books of such co..
porations and to summons witnesses
in determining wit is a flir and reas-
enable charge. 1t also has tie power
to require corporations TO render uni
form service, and it can preyan5 dis
elimination in rates or service. IN al
cases where franchises are granted it
is with the provision that the munich
pality can purchase the properties of
the franchise holder after the expira-
ton of eighteen years, provided tire
qualified voters elect TO make such a
purchase The city also reserves the
right in granting street car franchises,
10 let other companies use the trac Ks
of the franchise holder upon the pa
ment of a reasonable charge.
No franchise can be granted by the
city without reasonable compensation.
which must be paid to the municip IL
ity annually. and is in addition to any
tax or license which may be imposed.
All corporations iI)Iding frarehi sas
are required to file ANIMAL reports
with the city, showing the amount of
outstanding stock, the receipts and
disbursements for the year, and sucn
other facts as viii be OF value in de-
termining the question of rates should
this issue arise. The power of the
municipal ity to fix rates extends 30
the telephone companies, water, gus
and electric companies. common car
riers, hacks, ETC.
From the foregoing it will be seen
that large powers are vested in the
commissioners. Yet larger powers are
given TO the people They can COM
mand honesty. efficiency and square
dealing and, falling to get this. can
turn the servants out.
l asked one of the leading corpor /
ton lawyers of Texas what he thougct
Of the commission plan as it relates to
the public utility concerns. He re-
piled that tie system had the unquali-
fed approval of a majority Of the cor
porations. 1T is strictly business. he
said. mo underground work is neces-
sary. There are no grafters to satisfy.
When we have proposition to submit
we present it as business men and it IS
considered by business men in bus
mess way. This is an there is to it
and the plan is far in advance of tie
old system, Wits it's lack of method
and its tendency to sacrifice the plb-
lie good to profit of tne individual"