The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-11-11
WHAT DEs MONIES HAS DONE.
Iowa Capital Makes Substantial Pro.
gress Under Commission Form
OF Government--Taxes Reduced
and Numerous improvements Sc
- cured,
shreveport Times.)

cured.
shreveport Times.)
We take it that people who are
interested in good municipal govern
lment-and all Of us ought to be in
terested-WiH not tire Of hearing OF
the progress Of cities where good
government has been obtained We
| in Shreveport are especially inter-
ested in the government Of Des
Moines, Iowa, because our plan is
patterned after that of Des Moines
| in a great many respects.
The Times has received from
Ralph u. Bolton, secretary of the
Greater Des Moines Committee, data
on the success of the commission
form of government in that city. Des
Moines has profited by her change
I to commission form of government
and there is every reason to hope
that Shreveport will profit in the
same way.
@# Under the old regime a con-
slant deficit for current expenses
was incurred while during the three
years of commission rule the city has
llived practically within its income
for current expenses, ands further.
there was included in the budget, by
direction of the voters and the leg
| is1ature, additional expenditures for
a new city hall, a new viadnct right
of way, and firemen's pension
| fund amounting i'll all to Fl mills
| annually.
| Nothing is more fallacfous than to
assume that a comparison Of q city's
! tax levy, or it's bonded Indebtedness,
| is an Indication of efficiency or in-
efficiency, extravaganza or economy.
The real test is whether the money
|received has been expended wisely.
Des Moines grades her $50 miles
| of streets with $4,000. She cares
/ for II parks and 7i5 acres at an ex-
pense of $4,000.
Comparing Des Moines under COM
mission government with former ad-
ministrations under the old system,
we find now, with a smaller tax levy,
| the city is better cleaned, better
| lighted, better kept in every way.
Long neglected pavements have been
repaired and replaced. viaduct
i agitated for the past twenty years IS
/ in process of completion; handsome,
4 artistic bridges have replaced the old
steel truss bridges over important
4 streets. More public improvements OF
4 an Important nature have been cor-s
i structed during the nearly four years
a Of commission rule than in any pre-
I Vious eight years OF the city . history.
q BY securing competition, lower prices
have been secured on nearly all
public works and rigid inspection has
3 improved the quality. She has estab-
llished a reputation for superior pub
@ lie work that attracts other cities TO
view and emulate. She has reduced by
mutual agreement the cost OF electro
lights and power, and has under way.
"a in the courts the regulation OF nar
water and gas companies, the first
time in fifteen years that, any AZ
tempt has been made to reduce pub
Ilic service rates.
She has modernized her System at
public works and substituted day la
Dor for the contractor in SO fat tts
the law permits. BY the Introduction
Of modern labor-saving maahinet2
and equipment she has ADVANCED
the price Of labor, and securing gSas
service in return, has thereby so5E
cred the cost Of much Of her blth4l'
works.
She has improved her aceoanttnt
system by u close audit By seearsEE
interest on deposits II her finds
taking cash accounts for cash p1if
chases and ether important scasfofnEe
she has shown real Improvement !
economy and efficiency
What Is fflore, she has reforn1e
the conduct of her police court, 81
proved her police conditions, adde
extensively to her park and pla5
'aaa ground facilities, and has made gref
strides in establishing civic cente
,,- Of her river front.