Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1911-04-22
City of Dallas
Likes . Commits n
East Jordan's Plan OF Govern
ment Endorsed by Texans.

william E. Curtis, staff correspon-
dent for the Chicago Record Herald,
in recent article sets forth the sys-
tam of government under which Dali
las, Texas, Is working. Inasmuch as
our Charter Commission Is preparing
a charter along similar lines, we be-
lieve this article Is worthy Of every
citizen s careful perusal.
The commission plan Of govern
ment was adopted by the city OF Dali
las in 1907 and has been In operation
four years on the 9Th of April. There
are a mayor and four commissioners,
one in charge OF the streets, water,
sewerage and public works; another In
charge OF the finances and taxation; a
third in charge Of the police, tire de-
partment and the courts. aud a fourth
in charge of education and public in
stitutioDs. Acting together, they
form abinet for the mayor and a
legislature for the enactment OF laws
and regu lation. They hold meetings
every day. They are technical men,
not politicians.
Each Commissioner was elected on
the theory that the City Of Dallas has
property as IA corporation worth some
81 900, 900. and that IL needed business
men TO look after its interests proper
ly. One Of The commissioners is a
lawyer: the others are business men,
and they correspond 10 the board or
directors of railway company, with
the mayor acting as general manager.
He has salary of $1,000 a year; the
commissioners have $4,000 each, and
they are required u give their entire
time To the administration OF city
affairs. Their subordihates are all
appointed by the mayor, subject to
the approval OF the commissioners as
a body, aud they can create and
abolish Offices at pleasure. The
merit system applies To the ordinary
employees, who are invariably appoint
ed 1T the bottom and promoted for
efficiency as vacancies occur higher
' up.
The mayor has absolute authority
of removal. subject 10 the advice and
counsel uf the commissioners, and
political Influence is entirely elimin-
ated. AS the mayor and commission
ers are elected by the entire voting
,. population instead of by wards. there
are no sectional jealousness aud no
ward heelers 10 take care OF.
The commissioners have autocratic
power to prepare and enforce such
regulations as they may consider nee
essary aod proper, and this can be
done at any meeting without public
notice. On the other hand. citizens
have the right TO advise and propose
regulations dnd ordinances. and the
mayor aud the commissioners are re-
uuired 10 give such suggestions due
consideration. Ii the mayor and
commissioners refuse 10 act favOrably
upon petition citizens interested
have the right to call for referen-
dun election upon tho application of
35 per cen mt of the number OF voters
who cast their ballots at the election
immediately preceding. This, how
ever is very seldom necessary, because
The comm mtssioners, la considering the
best interests of the people, are not
apt 10 refuse to adopt practical
suggestion that Is supported by public
sentiment.
L. o. Daniels president OF the
chamber of commerce OF Dallas, Ia
reply to my question said; u cor
daily endorsed the commission form
of government aud believe IL TO be
adaptable to the needs OF every city.
great and small | believe, too. that
IL is the coming form Of government
although its success or failure will
always be due to the character and
competency OF the men who are select
ed To administer IL. A mayor anc
commissioners must have brains anC
experience and judgment TO admins
ter the affairs OF municipality, JUS,
like any other business, and the sue
cess OF their administration will bt
In proportion TO the ability that Il
applied To their work. Municipa
government should be administered
by experts-not only experts in gov
ernment, but experts in business, met
capable Of handling large affairs, ant
the first question t. be asked as to th'
fitness of any mau for the public ser
vice should be, is he competent a.