The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-02-10

/ ploit the public interests. ami thus pres
! pared the way for the snoilS system III
local government"
| Tho logical result OF this cumbersome
| system was 10 bring about in tho clos
| ihS years OF The last century u counter
| movement toward tho Capitalization OF
administrative power ana rcsronsibl-
| ity In city government as opposed to
| the decentralization OF such power and
| responsibility in Il bi-comcral govern
ing BODY and n separate executive de-
|nartmcnt. The present movement for
commission sovcrnmcnt is. therefore
| really a logical result growing out of
| past conditions. AS Professor w f.
Munro, OF Harvard. mas so we'll said:
The system Of government BY com
! mission must be regarded not as new
experiment. successfully conducted by
Il re-" scattered cities, bat as the eli
mas of a we'll defined movement from
the influences OF which hardly d single
city III the country has been exempt
The commission idea is really not as
new as it woull seem TO be- Its prin-
eipie was carried on, 10 II certain ex-
tent in the famous New England town
meeting, iii the old FORM Of govern
nent IN Boston. with it's SMALL Council
ana concentrated administration: in
he Memphis Commission after the Vel
low fever epidemic In 1874, ana in the
Ditrict Of Columbia Commission. in
effect since 1878.
what are the merits and striking re-
suits OF commission government?
There has been "a most marked
change in the administration az city
finances department which has with
out execution responded to the cxpcr,
efforts of the commissions Large
floating debts have been cxtinguishcd
sinking funds have been created. Pub
lie credit has been restored The policy
OF rcsortins TO bond issues 10 meet
current expenses has been abandoned.
The public funds have been let out 10
financial institutions and have thus
afforded a source OF considerable IN
come. Expenses in ali departments
have been cut down In some instances
the lax rate has been reduced There
has been a decided Improvement in the
various public services. under commits
sion government there has been secured
purer water. better streets, more eff
Gent fire and police service
\ higher grade OF men have been
attracted to municipal service. This
IS so because there are 10 bosses to
cater to before being able TO SCI elect
ed, Curtailmcnt Of counciimanic pow
CT and its distribution 10 boards and
officers has made a Council seat Nttle
wanted by high class men. because
they desire an Office Of considerable
power and responsibility. The cxpc-
fience of these years Cthc las, OF The
last centuryl proves beyond all doubt
that the character OF office declines
according TO the power associated with
liz AS Or. Charles w. Eliot has said:
There are always numerous good can
didates when power, responsibility and
oIher consiGcra tons are attached to II.
usaq aou sru ,ueuiuisAcS uo!sslulmoo
ana IS not always in charge OF men
Of exceptional ability. The success Of
the plan is not dependent upon tic
presence OF experts on the commissions
though experts are necessary in the
city departments. The function Of The
commissioners is supervisory 10, adj
ministrativc '.'rhe people arc always
competent 10 choose 4 supervisor. al
though they seldom succeed In choosing
expert administrations"
II has been found. TOO that there is
an elevation Of moral tone in cities
nsin9 the commission form. Gambling,
policy shops, disrcputablc places and
other forms Of vice arc largely If not
entirely eliminated. Galveston is a
case in point Before the city adopted
INC new form Of municipal rule ii was
greatly Influenced BY lawlcss clements.
Now law and order prevail
One Of the powerful features OF Inc
commission government is its central
lied character The whole course Of
municipal history points to tile truth
That administrative skill ana efficiency.
70 he effective, must be centralized
The truth OF this statement is found
out ny comparing the European cities
with those Of tho United States. The
princple Of centralized government for
cities has been successful i'll Europe,
and Inc violation Of that principle has
been responsible for inefficient nuni-
cipal rule in mis- country. City govern
nent is largely a matter Of business
management. ana 70 get successful bus
mess management there must be an
Adninistratio ton suitable for conducting
business operations. The commission
form resembles Tire board OF directors
lof 9 private corporation, permitting
Ipromplncss ana efficiency in the trans
iactipn 0 city business. In the case OF
I ifanchiscs tiic commission form has