Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-12
COMMISSION GOVERNMENT.
Bv Frederic ]. Haskin.
X-MEMPHIS.

thereto. AS with other departments, the
commissioner is held within the budget
In making Improvements and In enlarg-
ing the forces under his command. All
matters Of Importance concerning the
department are brought to the attention
of the board as a whole, and must be
passed upon by that body. but as a rule
the commissioner Is given a free hand
IN running that portion Of tho city in
trusted to his care
The city attorney. city Judge. city engi-
neer. city clerk. chief Of the fire depart
ment. chief Of police. city paymaster.
city chemist, health officer, inspectors and
all other city officials are elected by the
commissioners and can be discharged at
Will. though the subordinates have the
mission. The people have no voice in the
selection OF any of these officials. their
recourse in the event that the commits
sioners do not choose wisely being to dis
charge the commissioners.
Memphis was the first southern city
having population in excess of 100000 to
adopt a modern commission charter. 1t
IL. however. not the first experience Of
the city with commission government
Shortly after the civil war the affairs OF
called carpet bag regime that bank
ruptcy followed. The city was thereupon
dissolved by the legislature and q special
taxing district was created in its place
OF years under the commission system
but after the community was reha bilitated
and placed on a Arm basic the ancient
aidermanic system was restored. In re-
Spouse to popular cry for government
by the people. This system obtained.
with occasional variations, until the pres
ent plan was adopted.
There Is, as matter Of course. q wide
difference between the commission sys-
tenn Of today and
changes Made that which obtained
- ~. c~,... In Memphis many
III the system. years ago. The early
commission was appointed, and the people
had absolutely no voice in the manage
ment Of affairs The commission Of to-
day II elective and the people retain the
right to discharge the members II they
fall, or refuse, to conduct the affairs of
their Office to the satisfaction Of the
voters.
Memphis 10 now carrying on q national
advertising campaign. having raised a
fund of $4,000 for this purpose. 1t &C.
cupies a commanding position on the Mis-
sisSippi river. and is one Of the most inn
portant distributing points In the south.
It Is a fact worthy of note that among
the few American cities now exploiting
their resources through publications of
national circulation three commission
cities are found. These are Houston, Des
Moines and Memphis. In each instance
good government Is set forth as one of the
advantages offered the investor and home
seeker.
The city is showing q purpose to live up
to the advertising literature 1t distributes.
It fought for union station for fifteen
years without success. but offers the new
station now under way as an evidence OF
what good city government can do 1t
tried for twenty years to abolish grade
crossings on the railroads with no sue
cess. but is now carrying out q plan of
grade crossing abolition. 1t is felt by
the friends Of the commission plan IN
Memphis that there is an era Of growth
and prosperity before the city that will
make Birmingham and Dallas look to
their laurels for the highest percentage of
growth at the taking of the fourteenth
census.