The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1913-02-18
SUCCESS ATTENDS
C0NN|SS|ONPLA
IN ROCK ISLAND
Wipes Out Floating Indebtedness OF
$4,000 in Two Years--Pays
of $4,000 in Bonds.
HAD TO COMBAT THE GANG
Dreadful Conditions Confronted Com.
mission Government Upon
Its Advent.
HAD TO COMBAT THE GANG

The men of straw erected as bar
riers by opponents to the immed-
| late application of the Commission
Form of Municipal Governmsnt to
Cairo, have been quickly destroyed
by the fierce flames of enthusiasm
manifested upon all sides.
Conservative polls Of the First,
Second, Sixth and Seventh Wards
give majorities Of three TO one for
the Commission Form. Polls are
now being made of the Third,
Fourth and Fifth Wards. 1t is con-
hdently expected that these three
wards Will also give big majorities.
except possibly the Fourth.
That the Commission Form OF
Government s The ONLY and COR
RECT METHOD for municipal
soydrnmeat is ovid need on all
sides The Illinois Central has prae-
tioally endorsed the Commission
Government Of Memphis.
The road makes a speciality Of q
| big ei2ht-page folder advertising
the City OF Memphis and every de-
tail in regard to the progress made
by the city since it's adoption three
years ago of the Commission Form.
The mass OF information therein
contained is very complete and the
folders can be obtained by any one
| at the Illinois Central station In
Cairo.
Herewith is published letter
from Mayor Schriver of Rock Island.
Rock island had a population, ac-
cording to the Federal census of
1910, Of 24,326. Adjoining on the
south is Moline. city Of 24,19a.
1t is also under the Commission
Form 4of Government. DIRECTLY
across the Mississippi river from the
two is Davenport, Iowa, city with
43,e2S.
In mid-channel on an island in
the river Is located the Federal
| Arsenal.
Editor Bulletin: In answer TO
your inquiry of recent date con-
cerning the commission form of gov
ernment. will say the City of Rock
island adopted this system in jan
uary. 1911. The present officials
officials went into office in April of
the same year.
| don't think it has decreased
the cost of running expenses OF the
city government, as the mayor and
commissioners ARE receiving the
| maximum salary allowed under the
| aw which will somewhat exceed the
cost of the salaries OF the mayor
and aldermen under the old form
However, we think it is beneficial in
saving expenses in a great many
other ways. Our experience has
been that five men, each one the
head OF separate department, de-
voting at least six hours each day
| to his department has become ac-
quainted with same to such an ex-
tent that he can run it cheaper and
| with great deal more efficiency
than committee of a dermen who
have not the time to devote to their
work.
| There has been no decrease in
the rate of taxation since the adop-
tion of the commission form
When we took office, we found
current unpaid bills to the amount
of $115,000. Also bonded indeo-
tedness of about $4,000,
We have entirely paid the S115.-
600 in little less than two years
and also $4,000 OF the bonded in
debtedness.
| We experienced no trouble in get.
ting good candidates because of the
provisions of the law prohibiting
those interested in public uti itiel
from holding Office. On the whole
we thing very much of the commits
sion plan.
| Rock Island has possibly ha(
more trouble than most cities under
this pan. due to the fact that whef
the present administration tool
Office, the town was wide open, fill
| ed with licensed house OF prostitu
tion and sure thing gamblers.
i We Immediately remedied thesl
conditions by segregation of th'
, former in an isolated district an,
running the undesirable element ou
lof the city. Gamblers were giyei
hours to leave the city. These e
Iments and their adherents gave u
) q hard fight for two years. but VI
won and the city is better off as re
, suit.
Il Of course this aleurpnt and H.