Evening journal., 1912-05-11
MI. Kurfz Again Defends Charter

Editor Of THE EVENING JOURNAL. 4
Sir-I hope and trust that | have
convinced those who have been read
ing my recent letters &C. the public
press, that in the proposed charter we
have conserved the efficiency of the
commission form of government with
out adopting its patent dangers and
pitfalls. which experience has already
begun to prove.
In the recent discussions to reform
municipal government, many students
have likened the city and its govern
ment to a large private corporation,
and because the latter has been evolv-
ed and perfected as vehible for con-
ducting business. il was thought that
we only had TO model our municipal
governments on the plan Of a private
corporation, and good government
would result automatically. l must
again say, even though it be repeti-
tion, that no form of government
alone will insure good government.
The form Of government can only te-
move or reduce the friction and 0b
stacles which prevent the attainment
of good government more easily. 1t
il only the difference of trying 70
get results from an antiquated loose
jointed, creaky piece OF machinery, as
compared to a compact, well-con-
structed, we'll oiled and smooth run
ming machine. The people must be
intelligent and alert to their duties
and responsibilities. and with good Of
ficials, we will get good results from
poorly constructed machine, but
better ones from an easy running and
we'll constructed Cne.
The supposed resemblance between
city government and a large cor
poration is one of the chief reasons
for the wide adoption of the commits
sion form of government. The reason
ing. however. is somewhat faulty. A
citys needs are larger and greater
than those of a private business cor
poration. The latter is organized to
conduct business with the purpose Of
obtaining profit. The former is Gre
ated for a somewhat similar purpose
in its purely administrative character,
but It is also organized. as is all gov
ernment. to preserve the life, liberty
and property of its citizens and pro-
mote their general welfare.
A city's activities are broadly di'
vided, CD into those which relate tc
its purely governmental functions
and (2) those which relate tC
its purely business functions. The
former require legislative power anc
action. The latter require executive
and administrative power and action
The former require the exercise o.
those general police powers, which
maintain and preserve the fundamen
tai purposes of government, and are
! it's more important functions. Have
you realized how intimately your loca
government touches you every day o
your life and how necessary to you
comfort and well-being that govern
ment is? Yet, how you neglect IL fol
the relatively less important matter
of your national government. Will
which the citizen, in his daily com
ings and goings, seldom comes I'm con
tact. You rise in the morning, an'
among the first things you do is taxi
drink of water. Do you realiz'
that on your local government rest
the responsibility whether or not tina
water is pure, or infected with harm
full germs, thus preserving or endang
ering your health and life? You ca
a piece of meat, bread or other food
stuff for breakfast, and the same re
sponsibility of inspection by the loca
government marks the danger an
discomfort which you may suffer frOn
unclean or unhealthy food, or you
freedom therefrom. When you star
for your place Of business. your rid
on the trolley car depends upon tn
conveniences and comforts provide
by the trolley company, and the de
gree of care with which your loca
government regulates them. If yo'
walk, your comfort depends upon tn
manner and care with which you
streets and sidewalks are paved an
kept clean and free from obstruction
and pitfalls. When you cross tn
busy thoroughfare you are guided an
protected by your policeman, who ais
guards you from attack and robber,
whether by day or night Your plac
of business or your home are protect
ed from destruction by fire by tn
fire department And so we Nigh
continue indefinitely Our local gov
ernment touches us and we touch il (
a hundred different ways every da
of our lives, whereas you will have {
think long and hard before you ca
! find one way in which you come int
, contact with the national government /
your everyday life; yet, we exalt IN
, latter because it is big and splendic
! and neglect the former probably, be
, cause It is common and an every -da
! matter.
/ You will realize, however, from thi
/ imperfect description how importan
your local government is, and HOY
5 important it is to delegate these nee
e essary powers and functions to goo
{ men The exercise of these legisla
y tive functions. which preserve tn
, life, liberty and property Of the Cit
e zen and promote his general wei
r fare, are as distinct from the purel
e administrative functions as night
from day. The legislative function
, under the proposed charter are dele
gated to a City Council. elected b
the people. They are the ones VIII