The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-05-11
PRAISE: COMMISSION PLAN.
OKLAHOMA MAYOR DESCRIBES
ITS BENEFITS.
Great Things Accomplished i'm Okla
homa City by Application of Busi-
ness Management 10 Municipal Al.
fairs. Declares Mayor Grant--Ex-
pcnsc Heavily Cut. hut Efficiency
Increased.


OF business management to municipal
affairs"
In this comprehensive statement
the fundamental value OF the COM
mission form of government for cities
was described yesterday by Mr. Whit
NJ. Grant, mayor Of Oklahoma City.
That city has now been governed by
commissioners instead Of an alder
manic council. for about eleven
months. Mr.. Grant is in Charleston
for few days stay. and in conver-
sation yesterday with a representative
Of the News and Courier. talked inter-
estingly Of the details of commission
form Of government. Mr.. Grant is
the guest here Of Mr.. and Mrs. Eu-
gene +. Jervey, IT their residence n
LegHre street. He is accompanied by
his daughter. Mrs Jervey.
Just a year ago the voters If Okla
homa C.iy decided i'm favor of COM
mission form of government. The c.d
council contested the new government
strenuou>ly, and IL did not take Ct
rect at r. 90. An appeal To The SUI
prcme Court was succe ssfui in bring
Ing sustaining opinion. within 80
days after the election, and the new
form of government was in stalled
shortly after. oklahoma City Is now
governed hy five commissioners. one
of whom is the mayor. Mr.. Grant.
Each Is paid a salary ccmrorting with
managerial salaries i'm other lines of
business. and each has Charge Of a
certain department Of the city admin
istration. The mayor.in addition to
his department. has supervision Of the
work Of the council.
Commission Form Successful.
oklahoma City had formerly had
sixteen aldermen, from the eight
wards OF the city. the system being
similar to the form whiih obtains in
Charleston at present. Mayor Grant
Ia an earnest believer in the value
Of commission government for mum,
cipalities. and laughed heartily yester-
day when asked the formal uues-
tion If he considered the present ad-
minstration Of oklahoma City an i'm.
provement over the old system. The
commission government i'm Oklahoma
City as elsewhere. carries the recall
feature. and any commissioner who
does not conduct the business of the
city i'm manner satisfactory to
flee.
Among the business methods by
which the commissioners conduct the
Gty's affairs. Mayor Grant mentioned
the purchasing OF all articles for city
use from the lowest bidder, letting Of
contracts in similar way, requiring
surety bonds from contractors, in see
ing that every city employee earns the
pay he draws, and in taking care
that the city gets full value for all
money expended Prompt attention to
all matters connected with the de-
partment is an essential for com
missioner To hold his job.
Among the results Of the admin
i'tration SO far. Mr.. Grant estimated
that the expenses If the fire dapart-
ncnt had been reduced at least fif-
teen per cent each from the figures of
m" old councils. The business me-
thod 90 buying has reduced the cost
OF articles purchased by the city from
80 to - per cent. Similar decreases
I'm cost have been observed in many
other points.
III" mayor has charge Of the de-
portmcnt Of public affairs. one of the
principal components of which is the
police department.. MIGRANT stated
yesterday that during the eleven
months of commission government.
the expenses of maintaining ana
operating tho police system had ID
creased Icy more than 100000. from
the figures paid for this purpose dur.
ing the year preceding 10y the old
council. The police department for
merry had about 120 men on the
stan. Now, said Mr.. Grant. there
are not more than 90 men connected
with tho department.
The efficiency Of the force ha. -
hc"n greatly Increased. Grimes have
decreased from co to 50 per cent"
declared Mr.. Grant. Not only this,
La so per cent Of the convictions for
crimes committed outside the city.
but in the county have bpen tho re-