The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-10-25
SPOKANE'S EXPERIENCE
WITH COMMISSION
New Government Now in Opera
ton Seven Months and Good
Results Are Shown

SPOKANE. Wash, Oct 21.--Seveu
months experience with the commits
sion form of government in Spokane,
which is under the control OF the
people through tho preferential elec-
ton system, the initiative and refer
endum and the recall. has proved
highly successful. Direct efficiency
has replaced responsibility and in
competency party bossism has been
eliminated. the laws are enforced, the
tax payers are obtaining 100 cents
worth of work for dollar, munich
pal improvement bonds command
high premiums and the citys credit
Is silt edge in the financial centers
throughout the country.
Satisfied with Change
Charles M. Fassett. commissioner
of public utilities, speaking for the
commission says the people as a rule
are satisfied with the change and that
it is doubtful if even those who we're
most active against the present char
ter would vote to return to the old
system There are some. if course,
who honestly believe the old torn
is better, ne added. but the chief OPP
position to the adoption of the char
ter and its continuance comes from
those whose private selfish interests
arc being interfered with by the ben
eficial change in administration intro
duccd by the present government.
Chief Points OF ..dvantagc
Enumerating the chief points Of
advantage of the commission form oil
government over the party system.
Mr.. Fassett says
For the first time in its history
the community is not disturbed by
political Wrangling at the city hail.
Our commissioners often do not agree
on various measures but differences
are soon healed and there is har-
mony and good feeling between them.
Each commissioner has Charge,
under the authority of the whole
body. of his department and the
taxpayers knows to whom to apply
for his needs. The result is that
business is dispatched in hours and
days, where 1t formerly required
weeks and months.
street and other improvements
are made for from 20 to 80 per cent
less than in recent years. without
reducing the city wage scale or de-
creasing 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 delays
ing public work.
Wipe Out Big Deficit
"Our tax levy will be tho same as
last year. Notwithstanding q deficit Of
about 500, 900 left by the former gov
ernment and the settlement of many
claims and complications, neglected
for years.
"The various departments are be.
ing managed with efficiency and com.
mon sense. The water department,
which has been permitted to run heav-
lily in debt, has been placed upon
business footing; free 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 pur-
poses during the hot months. where
every year heretofore there has been
famine in certain districts.
"Our streets are we'll paved and
kept clean and sewers are maintain
ed the health of the city was never
as good; public service corporations
are encouraged and enforced, when
necessary, to give good service; back
franchise taxes are collected and the
affairs of the city generally are con-
Quoted along modern business lines.
Sho.t nuIIat gs,v- LN,ss,rx.
1.-THE preferential system of voting,
the short ballot and the election Of
commissioners 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 election, giving the
voter no excuse for ignorance of the
men or their duties. We require q
non-parttsan affidavit and restrict the
use u money for election purposes 20
$3.50 for any candidate.
BY our system Of voting the re-
suits Of the election express the will
" the majority much more closely
than could be obtained by CAUCUS, con-
vention and ward representation On
the whole we believe Spokane has the
most advanced characteristic commits
sion charter vet adopted by any city
In this or other countries