Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-02-16

professional mon with reference to
the commission form of government
for Albuquerque indicates that che
plan is well thought Of by many
prominent voters. Some Of those who
expressed opinions FRANKLY admitted
that they hsd not made q thorough
study of the question others said
that they had made exhaustive study
of the plan and were convinced be-
yond any doubt that the government
by commission would prove satistac'
tory IN Albuquerque.
The following one minute inter-
views speak FOR themselves.
Or John W. Elder, mayor of Az
huqucrquc, said "a city Is corpora
ton, and its affairs should DE con-
Quoted. In practice as we'll as In the
Oty just "a those OF any other COM
mercini or industrini enterprise The
citizens are the stockholders, the pub
BE officials chosen by them are the
active managers In ordinary COR
Iorations tho active managers are held
strictly responsible for the manner in
which business is conducted This
should also be- the case in municipal
corporations. and ] believe that the
commission form "a fcity government,
properly adapted 10 local conditions,
would be an effective means ~ bring
ing about this much-desited condi-
toni II should be remembered, how
ever, That the acceptance OF "a COM
missionorship would involve heavy
responsibilities. aud ] should not ad
vocate the commission plan FOR thls
city unless the compensation was
made sufficient 20 attract the services
ot thoroughly competent men-men
who had already demonstrated their
business ability ia other fields.
Attorney Francis T. Wood. II am
unqualfedly in favor of the commits
sion governments Political govern
ment Is iast as feasible ia the man
agcmcnt of big corporations bust
ness as IL is feasible in the manage
meut Of the business of city, and
would ruin either. The commission
form VI government applies 10 the
affairs Of city the same plan of
business that the average business
corporation applies to che rondect of
its affairs Wherever tho commits
sion has boon tried IL has proved o.
general success and the people would
not think of going back to the former
government I can see no objection
i'm putting the referendum in the city
commission form OF government for
the objections applying Co the state
disappear ln the city win the state
b b. mntter of people in one sec-
tlun voting on matter that iuflu-
enccs another section ana ON which
they are not fully informed. How
ever Win the city referendum prac-
tlcalIv every resident is sufficiently
informed 60 vote intelhgcntly on any
matter that might come up. II is
true. though. that the Incorporation
of tho progressive ideas might influ-
Cucc against the success Of the propo-
sitlon before the legislature, as there
are many men In the legislature who
would not distinguish between the
state and city referendum"
City Attorney a. j Collins ~ am
strongly In favor of the commission
form of city government, but am not
in favor of placing the government
in the hands OF three men for a period
at four years without any means cot
safeguarding the interests Of the peo-
pie. Tho great object To he Obtained
hy adoption OF this form of government
rs hXing the responsibility for the
honest ana efficient transaction OF the
City's business on certain men deli
nltely The members should be re-
aponsible To- the people and 1t incap-
able or dishonest a way by which they
may be removed rs necessary. The
object of the commission government
ig 10 bring the government tO the peo-
pie. and Dy doing away with the IN
itiatiye, referendum and recall the
primal object is killed plitshurg ia
cited as an example whore success
has been achieved without these fea
lures That success Is due merely TO
the fact that the people IN That city
were so aroused that they saw 20 ~
ihat the right men were elected. Hrt
where there rs no Intense feeling II
cannot auccced'
John NJ Moore. real estate, AZ this
time would prefer 90 make no state
mont regarding my opinion on the
commission form of government as
] am NOT sufficiently well acquainted
with ne form proposed and with the
WORKINGS OF the plan IN general 20
j. ~ Schuttt q am strongly in
favor OF the commission form of gov
ornmont provided II con be Kept out
of politics and conducted On non
partisan manner Otherwise ann
ngalnst a."
-. s. Ruscnwald, of Rosonwald
tUos on favor the commission form
o' government for Albuquerque, proc
ded the salaries OF the commission
ON ARE made large enough 10 attract
the services of thor0ughly competent
Mon. Que 90 the principal objects
OF tho commission plan, ns under
stand a. is 90 center responsibility
for the conduct of tine city's business
upon the commissioners. such being
the case, lt would he just as UNFAIR Ga
expect continuous ana expert service
from undergrad commissioners as q
would bo for merchant 90 demand
loyalty and enthusiasm from poorly
paid clerks. ! would suggest that cha
saiarlos of the proposed three come
missloners uggregatc not less than
$4,000 10 ycnr such an arrangement
would ] believe attract sufficiently
capable mon, and under such condi-
tons, citizens need not hesitate to