The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-23
RECALL 4 SUCCESS IN SPOKANE, WASH. Commission Form of Gov ernment Is Also Popular MIR. FASSETT TALKS Very Doubtful If the Most Active Opponents of Former System
 Would Vote To Go Back
 To the Old Way
MIR. FASSETT TALKS

Spokane, wash, October 22.-Seven months experience with the commission form of government in Spokane, which Is under the control of the people through the preferential election system, the in- itiative and referendum and the recall, mas proved highly successful Direct ef- fciency has replaced Responsibility and ncompetencr, party bossism has been eliminated the laws are enforced, the taxpayers are obtaining 100 cents worth of work for a dollar. municipal improve ment bonds command high premiums and the city's credit is gilt edge in the fnan- olal centers throughout the country.
 Charles NJ. Fassett, commissioner of public utilities, speaking for the commits sion says the people. as rule, are satis- fed with the change, and that it is doubt ful if even those who were most active against the present charter would vote to return to the old system There are some, of course, who honestly believe the old form Is better, he added, but the chief opposition to the adoption of the charter and it's continuance comes from those whose private selfish interests are being interferred with by the beneficial change in administration introduced by the present government.
 Enumerating the chief points of ad- vantage of the commission form of gov- ornment over the party system, MT. Fas- Sett says:
 For the first time in it's history the community is not disturbed by political wrangling at the city hall, Our com niissioners often do not agree on vafious measures but differences are soon healed and there is harmony and good feeling between them.
 Each commissioner has charge, under the authority of the whole body, of his departments, and the taxpayer knows to whom to apply for his needs. The re- suit Is that business is dispatched in hours and days, where it formerly re- quired weeks and months.
 Street and other improvements are made for from 20 to 10 per cent less than in recent years. without reducing the city wage scale or decreasing our standards of quality. The contractors ring Is broken and most of our work goes to those who have done the best work in the past. For the first time in our history a contractor has been fined for delaying public work.
 "Our tax levy will be the same as last year, notwithstanding a deficit of about sy0,000 left by the former government and the settlement of many claims and com piications, neglected for years.
 "The various departments are being managed with efficiency and common sense. The water department which has been permitted to run heavily in debt, has been placed upon a business footing; ire water has been cut off, the number Of meters has been doubled in seven months, wastes have been stopped and an adequate supply of water furnished for all purposes during the hot months. where every year heretofore there has been a famine in certain districts.
 Our streets are well paved and kent clean and sewers are maintained the health of the city was never so good; ; public service corporations are encour- aged and enforced, when necessary, to give good service; back franchise taxes are collected and the affairs of the city generally are conducted along modern business lines.
 ''The preferential system of voting, the short ballot and the election of comnis- sioners at large, who select one of their number as mayor, are other features which have strong arguments in their favor. Hereafter not more than three commissioners will be chosen at any elec- ton, givIng the voter no excuse for ig- norance of the men or their duties. We require a non-partisan affidavit and re- strict the use of money for election pur- poses to s250 for any candidate.
 'By our system of voting the results Of the election express the will of the majority much more closely than could be obtained by caucus, convention and ward representation. On the whole, we be- lieve Spokane has the most advanced and characteristic commission charter yet adopted by any city in this or other countries"