The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-12-29
IT IS BUT A STEP,

The close observers of the tendencies
Of opinion on American municipal ad-
miuistration agree that the commission
| form of government is by no means the
final step in the working out OF the
! ideal form of municipal business con-
troll Mr. ID. +. Carpenter contributes
| to the American Academy OF Political
and Social Science, an important paper,
pointing out defects, both legal and
practical, in the commission form of
government Legally the form is OBJ
ioctionable in that it cousolidatcs the
legislative and executive functions IN
one source. without consolidating also
the judicial functions in the same
source II there is to be consoIida-
tion Of this kind, it is Justly argued
the consolidation should be complete.
Another objection TO the commission
form is. that il takes away from the
people of the different localities of
the cities the representation which
American basic foundation contem-
plates they shall retain. in the raising
of revenue and looking after their
especial local affairs. That is, the
commission form violates the old maxim
which runs against taxation without
representation. TO consolidate 4 whole
citv in mixed administration where
legislative and executive functions are
combined, is logically a complete re-
versal OF the American idea of popular
government.
Then again. the commission form Is
faulty. in that. whereas 1t contem
plates that skilled experts shall be at
the head of the various departments
usually five-of municipal affairs. IT
makes no provision for clectiug such
experts 70 handle those divisions. Can
didates with no expert knowledge and
no special adaptation TO administrative
duties are elected. and then these Of
ficials, after their election. are expected
to GET the trained experts 10 do the
work which theoretically they were
elected 10 do themselves, but which
practically they often know nothing
about
There are different ways in which
the objections raised against the com
mission form OF government can he
met. The first is that adopted at
Staunton. Virginia. where thc city coun-
ell. truly representative body em-
ploys a city manager and allows him
complete control Of tine city affairs,
save only in the matter of lcvyiug
taxation. and the council makes that
levy according 10 the needs as reported
by the general manager. This conccn.
trates the power in 4 single person. and
the people reserve 10 themselves the
control OF the revenue, allowing an eX-
pert manager 70 see TO the cXpeudi-
ture Of the public moneys, under
control, OF course. in case he should
develop any reckless or wastcfuI ten.
denotes IL looks as though that might
be the next step in the evolution of city
government in the United States: and
tho triumphant success Of il in Staun-
ton shows that all 'hc benefits claimed
for the commission form of government
are intensified in the oUc.mau form,
aud the theories Of American popular
government are in no way violated,
Another system would he rcvcrsion
in part TO tho form which we have had
in this city heretofore. save only tha,
the council and the mayor would he
the only elective officers. The mayor
woud he selected according TO his
known abilities as municipal admin
sirator. aud he would appoint all OF
his staff or cabinet without reference
To the council. rho mayor being rcsponsi-
hlc direct 20 the people, aud the couu-
ell being responsible 10 the people IN
the usual way Of levying taxes and
passing ordinances. but being entirely
disconnected from the executive admin
istration Of the city. This latter ap-
proaches more nearly the German sys.
tenn than any other, and would con
template the election OF the best eX-
pert that could bc had for mayor of
the city without regard TO whether he
is resident of the city. or even the
State, or not The choice would be
simply on the idea that he knew how
70 do the work. precisely a. n great
mining company employs distin-
guished expert 20 be AT the head OF It's
operations. the best man that can be
found for the work, Or there might