The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1911-12-18
Commission GOVERNMENT
SOLVES MANY PROBLEMS

leans as a fad Of sociologists and mu-
nicipal reformers.. 1t was an expert
mental novelty Not city in the
union had tried the experiment and
it was practically unknown to the
masses of the people. Toronto's sue
cessful trial OF a board of directors
for the municipal corporation was the
one notable example of simplifed
business government on this CONT
nent.
A list carefully compiled to June of
this year showed 1873 cities, with a
population of 100000, governed by
commissions. Since then the number
has risen above POO
Galveston, Tex, started the move
ment. The experiment there grew out
OF the emergency created by the dis
astrous food of 1900. The commits
sion of engineers selected to formu-
late and execute plans for the recon
struction and protection of the city
was the beginning. The commission
scheme worked so well that the peo-
pie of Galveston decided to make it
permanent.
Previously municipal government
was modelled after the political gov
ernments of the nation and the states.
1t had generally a chief executive.
two legislative branches, a large num-
Der of elective officers and all the
cumbersome machinery and checks
and balances of constitutional govern
ment.
The fundamental idea of the COM
mission experiment is that the munic-
ipality is corporation organized for
the sole object of transacting the COM
mon business of the people of the city.
without regard to politics. 1t has to
DO with business only. such as SAM
t3tion, street and sewer construction.
public utilities. eleemosynarv instftu.
lions and municipal regulations. The
prime purpose Of the commission was
TO simplify municipal government. re-
duce the number of elective officials
and increase its business efficiency.
Supplementing this original purpose
are other ends such as the elimina-
ton of corruption and of the power
of party bosses and political machines
The accepted model of commission
government is that of Des Moines. Ia.
which has a city council composed of
the mayor and four commissioners.
who exercise the powers of the mu.
nicipal corporation and transact all
the city's business, The government
Is divided into five departments
public affairs, accounts and finances.
public safety, streets and improve
ments, parks and public property. The
ward system is abolished. the CON-
missioners being elected by the vote
Of the entire city.
The importance of the experiment
is based on the importance of good
city government as a factor in the life
OF the people That the corruption of
municipal politics and administration
mas become one of the greatest evils
OF the country is universally acknowl-
edged Municipal corruption not only
resulted in the spoilation of cities, but
eXerted a vicious influence on nation
al and state governments.
Nearly half the people of the conn
Try live in cities of $500 or over More
than 100000 live in fifty-one cities
of more than 100000. In the ia cities
.: from 25,OOO to 100000, live about
100000 more.
Scope of the Movement,
Oakland, Cal, with 15O174 popula-
ton. is the largest commission CITY
Berkeley, with 4O,324, and San Diego
with S9,57S, are two others of tn eight
California cities that have adopted II
Birmingham. Ala, 1872 .6S5 and Mont.
gomery, SS,136. have it. Colorado
Springs 29,07S, is one of the two Colo
RADIO examples. Idaho has one CITY:
Illinois 16, with Springfield, 51,67s. as
the largest. In Iowa there are eight
cities with Des Moines, S6,36S, as the
largest and with form of govern
ment so well devised, so well amdin-
lstered and so successful that II is
regarded as the finest exemplification
OF the plan. Kansas has % cities.
with Kansas City, 1881, as the lars-
est. Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland
New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina
New Jersey. Tennessee. and
Utah each have one, Memphis.
l3llo5, and Salt Lake City. 92.777.
among them. Massachusetts, and