Evening journal., 1911-09-28
CoMMIssIoN RULE IN TRENTON.

TONSIDERABLE has been said by some outside
- newspapers to the effect that the new COM
mission form of government in Trenton, N. j.,
is a failure, and some of the other New Jersey
cities being congratulated because they re-
jected the plan The Trenton Times however, tells
a different story.
This is what the Times says;
One months record Of commission government in
Trenton speaks volumes for this form Of municipal
management
City Hall Above All the building 10 veritaoe bee
hive Of industry compared with conditions four weeks
Every onceholder evinces new interest in his work
every man Is the job from the drop of the hat ana
the place is longer deserted in the early afternoon
as II under the former regime.
Saving more than $1,000 in the annual payroll OF
one single department, which generally the matter
of reorganizng service has been largely confined
shows the possibilities in this direction The positive
elimination of politics in the removal OF men VINO as
Commissioner Fell expressed II were marking ume,
has been demonstrated in the discharge of Democrats
and Republicans alike and the retirement OF more
Democrats than Republicans, though the Commission
is Democratic by three TO two.
Mayor Donnelly has managed to so arrange anairs
at the Almshouse that he will cause the saving or
something like $4,000 at that institution alone as soon
as the systemazers planned for taking care OF the
necessary records. He has also decided to eliminate
one of city physicians and to increase the single
salary i'm order that the encumbent may be induced 10
give all Of his time city patients. Heretofore, there
has been more less complaint and scandals were
NOT infreouent i'm this department In past years
Excellent illustrations Of the easy efficiency OF the
new form of government Afforded at the outset
of the commission meetings. Within less than week
the old South Warren street bridge, impassaDe TOT
months was suddenly opened for vehicle trahc and de-
finite arrangements concluded for the reerecuon OF
the structure.
Commission government gets down TO the root OF
things Similar accomplishments to those mentioned
were of months under the former Councimanc
control OF affairs. and much of the time was lost
for want of more frequent meetings, The commission
holds sessions three days week and all the Commits
sioners are available at all hours of the day. eher III
their offices somewhere engaged In city business 80
they are readily accessible.
For a time the Commission met every day, ana tneh
the tri-weekly sessions inaugurated. Bi-monthy
meetings of Common Council necessarily delayed acuon
in many instances, and, being slow themselves, the
Counclmen had little control over the laggards ""ho
looked after municipal details But this is all different
nowadays.
When there is anything to be done the Commission
decides what is the best method to pursue ana oh'
man sees that the RECESSION is carried out NO time
wasted any than it is in the conduct OF otne
business.
The Commission has managed also to eliminate any
conflict of authority and all the five members are Work
ing I'm perfect harmony for bigger brighter ana mor'
prosperous city, managed on enSione anu 'o'
lines.
The Commission has set a pace for all city employees
nv sticking TO the work themselves and each member
Is putting in longer hours every day than any OF '
clerks are expected to devote TO city business
This fact has had a wholesome effect on conditions
generally Mayor Donnelly got 10 his office at ocloci
fhe morning after the commissioners assumed conro
OF affairs and was compelled to hunt up the lanitoi
in order 10 gain an entrance into the suite set apart
his private Since then the building mas Deel
! fully alive every morning at the regular hour