Ellsworth American., 1913-01-08

are being conducted. They find that the
city is getting business management and
that there is something to show for the
money. They are satisfied.
"But the purchasing agent is only one
OF many improvements. The mayor and
two commissioners, as we'll as being the
municipal officers, are also the board OF
assessors and over .eers OF the poor. As
the board of assessors, they went to work
with the idea that there was a chance to
help tue city there. They were not wrong
They proved it in the most substantial
manner.
"In the year now closing, Gardiner lost
considerable taxable property by death
and removal Of estates from the city. This
has not affected the valuation so seriously
as would seem. On their rounds in April,
the beard found property which was so
undervalued that when they raised it TO
something like proper valuation they
had taken care Of the loss and increased
the city's valuation over 100000.
SIN one case they boosted the value OF a
building which had always been taxed at
5000 to 5000. The owners never uttered
| protest. Pretty fair evidence that it was
just increase. In the other cases, too,
where values were increased, there was no
complaint.
FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME BACK.
"Among the results Of changing the
head OF the fire department there was
strike among the old members of the de-
partment. They threatened to resign il
the old chief was not returned to the COM
mand. The commissioners heard the
threat, read lthe communication from the
men and sat tight. They fully grasped
the Importance OF the situation. To give
way an inch and let the men have their
way, was completely to defeat the objects
OF the new method OF administering city
affairs. 1t was q return to the old. way.
Resign II you want to; we've named the
| chief, and that goes was what they in
effect told the fire fighters.
"rhe men Of the department made good
their threat. They quit. Then the citizens
began to take interest. A city without a
fire department would be in q pretty bad
way. The new chief didn't lose his head.
He met the emergency. He reorganized
the department. 1t wasn't long before
some OF those who quit, realized how
weak had been their position, and signi-
fed q desire to return to the service.
They have been given an opportunity to
do so, as fast as the chances have come.
The result is that, to-day, the city OF
Gardiner probably has the best, in every
way, fire fighting force in its history.
SCHOOLS IMPROVING.
"Gardiner has never been ashamed OF
her schools. There is, now, more reason
for her to be proud OF them than ever be-
| fore. Under the new management of af-
| fairs,1 there has been q steady upward
| movement. A new superintendent has
| been secured. He has been on the job
constantly. In addition to that, he has
inaugurated new ideas; that is, new for
Gardiner. These are proving beneficial.
They are doing their part toward the gen.
eral uplift of the schools.
"Not q week passes that he does not
visit every school in the city and observe
the workings therein. Unhesitatingly he
points out changes which the teachers car
make with benefit to the plan of educa-
tion. This is appreciated by the teachers
| Parents are beginning to see and appre-
| ciste. In addition to these weekly visits
| to the schools, he has regular weekly meet
| ings OF the teachers at which school
affairs are discussed. These meetings are
held at the city building. These are prov
ing great help to the school work.
.The teachers all appreciate it. They
are taking q greater interest in the work
| Of the schools than ever before. 1t is an
other OF the good results Of the new form
| OF government.
ON THE HIGHWAYS.
sin all municipalities the highway de-
partment is one most to the fore. Which
ever way the inhabitant Of city or town
turns, this department confronts him
He can't but note its defe cts and its good
PROGRESSION is the order Of the year. lr
the past twelve months the citizens oi
Gardiner have watched the rapid work
To- day they pass Judgment. 1t is favor
able. The roads are in the best condition
for long time. The work has been done
at an economical figure. 1t has been done
| thoroughly end honestly.
"In the work, common sense has been
mixed with labor. Work has been done
with an eye to next year and the year af-
ter, as well as for this year. In conse-
1 quence, it is q common occurrence for the
| taxpayers to meet the commissioner who
has charge of this branch OF municipal af-
fairs and congratulate him upon what has
| been done, and say: ''This year we can
see What is being done with our money
and that is a whole lot"
"Commissioner Berry has had charge OF
that labor and has given personal atten-
tion to every job. Because OF his personal
supervision. the city has been getting nine
hours work each day from its street men,
not five or six as previously. This has
,oaont uuch more ACCOMPLISHED with q