The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-11-16
Long List of Secretaries of
Central Labor Unions in Cities
Having Commission Form Of
Government Unqualifiedly Ap-
prove of Plan and State Reasons
For Such.
Members Of Organized Labor Are
Serving as Commissioners in
. Cities Where Their Candidacy
for Public Office Was Formerly
Disregarded-Labor Men Make
Good.

Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Pitts
burg, Independence, Hutchinson and
several other cities. Wherever the
plan has been adopted it is working
quite satisfactorily. Since the adop-
ton Of the, plan we have found it
possible in Kansas City to elect la
bor man as one of the: commission.
ers; this never occurred under the
old ward syste1n. ..>s::' Z 4 =. -. :,..5l
'" Labor Man In Topeka: ka.-.:,s :, ,~ =: "
In Topeka we elected q labor man;
in Pittsburg, two labor men have
been elected on the board; in Leaven-
worth we elected a labor man and in
several smaller cities and towns we
find the same advantage has followed
the adoption Of the plan. We have
found that labor has secured more
recognition under the commission
plan than under the old aldermanic
plan. In Kansas City, Immediately
following our election of a labor man
as one of the commissioners, wages
for common city labor were raised
from $1.75 to 81 per day of eight
hours. The construction Of Set
Ting Basin" was done under direct
supervision of the labor member Of
the board with none but union labore-
rrs employed.
Much Money Is Saved.
"A large saving to the city was ef-
fected as compared with the cost Of
similar work done previously under
contract. Taxes have generally in
creased, but in most cases it"has been
because Of the indebtedness outstand-
ing when the plan became operative.
Under the commission plan the
commissioners cannot contract debts
beyond the ability to meet such obli-
cations, SO 1t was necessary to increase
taxes to meet current obligations and
provide for the retirement Of matur-
ing bonds as they become due from
time to time. Street improvements,
boulevards, and general municipal
improvements along many lines indi-
cate the difference under the old sys-
tenn Of ward or aldermanic govern
ment.
THE Kansas law provides for the
Initiative, referendum and recall OF
members of the board of commission
ers under the commission form, thus
enabling the people to have direct
control at all times. To the best of
my. knowledge there has been only
one recall in. any Of our cities since
the plan has been adopted, that re-
call being in the city of Wichita last
year."
Commission Form Progressive.
James A. Smith. secretary of the
Covington, KY, trade and labor as
sembly, writes that organized labor
advocated the passage of an act en-
ablfng. the legislature to permit cities
of the second class to adopt the COM
mission form Of government.
He declares that this is regarded as
a distinct step forward in progressive
legislation and adds: I'VE are hope
full Of much good resulting from the
enactment of this measure" #
w. D. Mahon of Detroit, Mich, in
ternational president Of the Amalga-
mated Association of Street and Elec-
trio Railway Employees Of America,
says: = .~.. -...s.,., =. 4
Our association has always been
in favor Of this principle of govern
ment and at its various conventions
it has passed resolutions on this sub
ject.".
A. w. Seton, secretary Of the cen
trail labor council Of Oakland, Cal,
gives the following very interesting in
formation:
y. I'm answer beg to state that the
commission form of government now
in force in Oakland .is of so recent in.
snoyation as to place me somewhat &
a loss how: to answer. Will state.
Centaaued O Pa9e