The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-02-13
SAYS DIES MONIES THRWES /
UNDER COMMISSION plan
John Y. White Points Out
Benefits of New System
of Civic Rule

An audience of 200 men. women
and boys listened TO the brilliant lee
ture delivered in the Central high
school auditorium. Monday evening,
by John u. White. OF Chicago, Presi-
dent g.. s. Beadle, of the Detroit Hen
ry George association, who presided,
expressed disappointment that so few
people had manifested an interest In
good government.
The speakers address was very
much in the nature OF a declaration
of independence, and the keynote of
his remarks was the general PROPOSE
ion that the present civic government
machinery-the system-is radically
wrong. He undertook TO show a bet
ter way. He told his hearers that IL
seemed foolish TO argue for the com
mission form OF government because
it's merits We're SO obvious.
He told them that the commission
plan was simply the adoption OF the
same business sagacity that charac-
teriZes the successful private enter
prise. He said that the commission
plan consisted OF the force and eff
fectiyeness OF a monarchy, safeguard
ed by the absolute sovereignty OF the
people.
He declared that the people Of De
troit could not possibly know their
149 elective officers, know their
qualifications, but that they could get
pretty good idea as TO the official
fitness of five men. He explained that
the initiative was giving to the people
the same power with the government
that a woman had with her cook. II
the cook didn't do things to suit her,
the lady of the house had the priv
ilege of going into the kitchen and
taking charge herself.
Mr.. White emphasized the virtues
of the referendum and the recall, and
said that of all the cities that had
adopted the commission plan, not one
had returned TO the old system. He
said that Des Moines under the first
year OF a commission form of govern
ment, turned regular annual deficit
OF from $4,000 to $4,000 into a sur
plus of $104,155 In the first year I'M
der the commission plan the city had
better light, and million hours more
light at a saving Of $500, as compar-
ed with the previous year. IL had
better results in the management OF
the parks and made saving Of $4,000
the first year. When Des Moines
went on the cash basis, and in accord
ance with the ways of private bust
ness, it saved $4,000 in discounts the
first year. Culverts that cost $1761
each under the old system, cost but
$12.63 the first year under the new.
The city secured better police de-
partment and saved $4,000 the first
year in that line. The treasury re-
ceived $4,000 in interest on public
money deposited In the banks.
What the audience lacked in size,
it made up to some degree in appreci-
alton and enthusiasm. From the
start to the finish of the lecture the
auditors were "aii eyes and ears,
AT the conclusion of the lecture.
Anthony Pratt, secretary of the De-
troit Municipal league, called atten-
ton TO Gov Osborn's announcement
OF special session of the legislature.
and suggested that this fact AFFORDED
the opportunity for another attempt
to have the initiative, referendum and
recall reforms crystalized into the
law of the state. Mr..
Pratt said that petitions would be
ready for circulation within a few
iays. and asked that those willing to
aid in the work of securing signers,
leave their names and addresses at
the close OF the meeting.