Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1911-12-01
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1911.
PLAN ILLUSTRATED

ASP"is VI tho ilouuihu,
Washington, government which is
the first Issued under the commission
form. 1t consists of a complete show
Ing OF all the business transactions
during the month of October, 1911.
These reports are to be made every
month In the year so that the tax
payers may know exactly what is
being done. Mayor Ferguson fol-
lows the financial statement with
some pertinent remarks on the COM
mission plan and these are repro
duced below and should be read by
every voter In Grants Pass who
desires practical information on this
subject.
"Hoquiam, the first second class
city In Washington to adopt the
commission plan of government has
secured an enviable reputation for
Its progressive spirit and the success
Its commission is having In giving
economical business administration
to Hoquiam.
"Cities from Prince Rupert, B. c.,
to Atlanta, Georgia, have asked us
for information about our reasons
for municipal change and the meas
ure OF our success In handling the
city's affairs under the new plan.
In reply we say we are applying as
near as 1t Is possible to do, the same
rules to city affairs that we would
use IL 1t were our private business,
but with more carefulness and great
or diligence perhaps, because 1t is
the business OF the people that we
are responsible for
THE mayor and each commits
sioner has management OF q depart
ment and success In that department
depends upon the wisdom with
which he acts and the diligence with
which he performs his duties. He
cannot escape nor shift to any one
the blame for failure IL he falls, and
the public can easily identify the Of
ficer that has failed to succeed and
contrarywise he will receive the
praise for success il praise Is due
him
Integrity OF purpose, honesty in
action and diligence In performance
OF duty is the rule that guides our
dealings with the public in It's busi-
ness affairs
I'VE do not believe any person
is a suitable person, whether they
be an officer or In subordinate
position In the city's work unless
they feel the responsibility personal
for the welfare of the city and be-
lieve that the people have a right
to expect that they will perform
their duties as faithfully as they
would perform the same work for
themselves or private business con-
cern.
mo laggards, shirkers or dishon-
est workers, will find a berth OF ease
with US.
Politics is eliminated, except the
politics of honesty sobrlety and vigil
lence.
The mayor is superintendent OF
public safety and the police, FIRE and
health departments are specially
under his supervision. Also he has
general watch care over all depart
ments. One commissioner is super
intendent of finance and accounting,
and fills the office OF treasurer. And
one commissioner Is superintendent
OF streets and public improvements
and fills the position OF street COM
missioner and superintends the en-
glneer's department and handles the
garbage proposition.
From being continual loss to
tho city under the former govern
mont the garbage problem is under
the present plan n source OF CON
tinual proht TO our city.
Careful pruning OF the expenses
OF the different departments Ia saw
lug the city enough every month to
pay the salary Of the mayor and
commissioners,
I'VE DO not have Capitalization OF
power, but We give quick, direct.
precise action from power controlled
by three men held responsible under
heavy bonds for results that will be
benefit to the whole people,
"From the lnericlency and loss to
the city OF service rendered by
men weary with the toll OF their
own business AFFAIRS after the close
OF weary day IN hours that should
have been given 20 rest. but which