Norwich bulletin., 1911-04-14
GOVERNMENT Bd GDl lllIS !
Six South Dakota Cities Answer Bulletin s
 Inquiries GOOD CANDIDATES DO NOT WIN
Politics Eliminated -Factiona1sm is NotThe Popular Candidate Wins Against the Able--costs More- The Recall is Recognized as Effective Though Never Used.

service and fixing of responsibility is worth it.
 Pierre-Two answered Yes.
 HurOn-I1arger.
 Vermillion-NO, smaller.
 Not large enough to make the law practicable.
 About the same in yermillion.
 b. Has there been greater resulting economy in the administration of the several depzrtments?
 Sioux Fa1ls-Yes. Water works now self supporting.
 There has.
 I hardly think so.
 Three answered Yes.
 Yankton-Not thus far. The mem bers have heen making Improvements the old system withheld and taxes are slightly greater, but benefits are null tipIied many times
 Rapid City-Yes Improvements, never before possible, have been made.
 Pierre-We cannot tell yet.
 One answered Yes.
 Huron-Have had commission gov ernment only about nine months, but the economy of it is a1feady visible.
 Vermillion-To certain extent, Yes
 No, not particularly
 c. Does each member of the n9uni- cipal council give his full time to tho work of administration?
 Sioux Fa1ls-No. More time is given than under the old plan, however In Sioux City a commissioners full time is given. Salaries are bigger, however
 No. The size of the city does not demand full time.
 Four answered No.
 Yankton-One answered, No.
 Rapid City--One answered No.
 Pierre-No. but in larger city that would probably result.
 One answered No. s
 Huron-Only portion of time. This is a small community.
 vermillien-No; salary is too small
 City is teo small.
 One answered No.
 d. Has the financial standing of tho city been improved? Sioux FalIs-Steady Improvement.
 Not yet
 Four answered iYes.
 Yankton-One answered Yes.
 Rapid City-Yes. We now have a sinking fund, which was never pro- visiened for before
 PierreI think so-
 One answered Yes.
 Huron-Naturally it will be if it has not already. Have hardly time yet tc state definitely.
 Ver1nilIion-Not especially.
 Not necessarily.
 V. In general, is the new form oi government cleaner from political in- fiuence, more business like in adbninis- tration, more effectuaIIy organized more progressive, more soundIy eco- nomicaI?
 Sioux Falls-Yes to each designa- ton.
 I think it will get better in time; il is better than the old system, anyway
 It is a great improvement. Three answered Yes. Yankton-Certainly
 Rapid City-Tha commission plan is by all odds better than the old ward plan, though it will take good citizen ship to keep it clean after the first four or five years. The best men vii undoubtedly be chosen at the ineep- ton of the plan.
 Pierre-It is the general impression that such is the. case.
 One answered Yes.
 Huron-Vastly more Vermillion-There is no difference
 think this will prove to be the case. VI. a. What per cent. of voters i. required to gain recall. and is it eff. fective? Sioux F-alls-15 per cent. Has no been attempted here so far. Is per cent The recall has never been employed yet however. 15 per cent. of the voters. Has rfo been used so far. but is a good cheek
 Three answered IS per cent Yankton-15 per cent. Never tried
 Rapid City-Five per cent. It is eff fective. Pierre-15 per cent, but we hav' not tried it. Huron-Have not the law at hand Have not invoked the recall, but off cials bear in mind that we can if W, want to. VermiIlion-It has never been at tempted here and probably never vii 1; be. One did not answer. b. Are the public utiIities-water gas and electric lighting pIants-own ed by the city, and are they inventories annually, and a balance sheet pub iished, as is the custom of corpora tions owning such plants? Sioux Falls-Water plant owned Annual report is complete. Water works is owned by city. Tha is all. Annual report is made. Water plant owned by the city
 
 All except that current is purchased from local water power company. Water is' owned by city; also electri plant, but power is purchased cheape than it can be made. Get a-srepor every six months. We own water plant only; baIanc sheet published. One answered Yes Yankton-Water plant owned b, city, bu. gas and electric plants sb, private corporations. No inventorie, as far as I know. Rapid City-.The water works i owned by the city and the new cit, auditor must keep his books like tlos, of a corporation. Pisrre-The water is owned byeth, city and reports are published. One answered Yes. Huron--Water plant is. Everythins goes on the books. :. These answers are made by Th' Daily Huronite., yermillion Owned by private cor porations.