Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1912-10-13
MAYOR NEWMAN
FAvORS DIRECT
RULE FOR CITY
Former Executive of Bisbee
Approves Commission
of Government for
Copper City
STUDIES PROBLEM
FOR ITS REFINE
Warren District Commercial
Club and Business Mems
Protective Association
Confer on Subject


NJ Newman, who served the city
of Bisbee as mayor for two years,
his term ending on the first day OF
last June, during the time he was al
the head Of the city government first
became interested in the subject Of
a commission form of government fOT
municipalities and since then he has
lost no opportunity to gain additional
information concerning the beneficial
workings of this modern and popular
form OF city government Knowing
that Mr.. Newman was much interest.
ed in the proposed commission form
of government for Bisbee. and thai
he is thoroughly informed OF the muni
c!pal problems to be encounters Ell
and solved in the successful govern
ment of this city. The Review yes
terday sent a representative TO ask
Mr.. Newman TO give his views on this
matter, which has now been taken up
by the Warren District Commercial
club and the Business Mems Protect
i've association in this city.
Gives His Views
Mr.. Newman consented TO give his
views, but as a preface declared that
personally he had no further interest
in the commission form OF govern.
ment further than to assist other citi-
zens of Bisbee in beuetitting condi-
tions here IL il was possible to do
so. He said he gave much hard work
TO the city while he was mayor, and
had no desire to be personally con.
nected with and system OF city gov
eminent, either new or old.
Mr. Newman said: Il take it that
the citizens of Bisbee desire the kind
OF government that win bring the
best and most economical results and
be best adapted to local conditions,
That should be the desire OF every
one desiring the welfare of Bisbee.
We first heard of a commission
form of government at Galveston, af.
ter that city had been stricken b.
tidal wave, and food and deyasta.
ton confronted the people The new
form of government was an inciden;
10 meet existing conditions. There
the entire city government was put
into the hands OF a commission com.
posed of the best business talent in
the city. Ii was found so satisiaC
tory and beneficial that it was decid
ed to continue the experiment and
that is the system there now, and
from which similar governments have
been established in many cities
throughout the country.
Each Head Of Department
From my experience in the city
government, I know that Bisbee can
not afford to adopt the same system
as cities having a population of 2O,0Gi
or more. because the revenue heTt
is not sufficient to meet the expense
Usually the commission form OF gov
eminent means the employment o
three. FIVE or more men with salaries
ranging from s1,25O to $500 pei
annum, and each commissioner be
comes the head of one of the severa
departments of government, and ha
sole charge OF that This would no
be suitable in Bisbee because her
no qualified man would be willing L
undertake the management of any do
partment of the city for $1,000 0
even $1,000 per year. Surely "
could not undertake to pay three @
FIVE men $500 each.
ITO avoid this expense, my i9e
would be to elect three commission
ers at large, on an absolutely mol
partisan basis, to be at all times sui
iect to the recall, from among on
citizens who are recognized becaus
of their ability in handling affairs {
such magnitude as viii be encoun
cred by them in caring for our cit
business. The compensation for III
commissioners should be a specific
amount for each monthly or sem
monthly meeting. the maximum
be SO.
Has General Supervision
"The duties OF such commissio
should be to have general superyi
ion and direction of all matters pc
tanning to the city government, III
commission would also act as a eli
counsel in the passage OF fesirab
ordinances. one of them being chose
as mayor. ! favor the appointmel
By such a commission Of a gener
manager. 10 have absolute control
every department OF the city, er
powered to employ the required ser
ice in every department. including Il
present duties OF the city clerk, Ct
marshal. assessor. street commissio
eF. police. scsvenger service, ei
This general manager would be he
responsible for every result or cons