Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-11-11

mission form OF government for Aber
deem would seem to depend upon the
question:: Does a majority of its
citizens really want an efficient, eco
nomical administration of municipal
affairs? If they do, the commission
plan affords the opportunity. There
is no longer any dispute as to the
superiority of the commission form
over the antequated ward councilman
plan, although it is not a cure-all fol
municipal ills, but it will help in sim
plifying things and centralizing re-
sponsibility and rendering log-rolline
deals more difficult. Do the people oi
Aberdeen want it? II so, all that Is
necessary is to express that desire in
petition asking for an election to
decide. Judging from the tone Of mum
erous citizens made to the Herald
since the beginning Of this series OF
articles, both verbally and by mail, the
preponderance Of sentiment in Aber
deem at this writing is decidedly in
favor Of the modern system, and only
awaits an organized effort upon the
part Of the friends Of the measure to
secure it.
How II Works In Kansas
A special correspondent Of the Ma
tional Short Ballot Oranixation, writ
ing from Kansas in November, 1911
gives the following experience Of the
city Of Pittsburg. with about the same
population a. Aberdeen:
Take Pittsburg. for example. . city
Of 14,756 inhabitants in thA southeast
corner Of the state. Last April II
finished its first year Of rule under ths
commission form. During this yeal
it prospered without the aid Of ga
looms, or the revenues of the saloon
tax that it depended upon for man,
years. At the end of the year there
was plenty of money in the treasury
and clear way ahead for more funds
In it's first year of the new rule Pitts.
burg paid all expenses-payrolls, cleo.
trio light bills, everything without the
monthly $4,000 that came from the ga.
looms and dives. At the close of bust.
ness when the new year began, there
was $199, 900 in available cash on hand
in the city treasury. distributed among
the various funds.
How this was accomplished is told
by some of the business men and com.
missioners. One Of these, William
Lanyon, Jr., the first commissioner of
finance. and for many years a council.
man under the aldermanic system,
said in an interview: "The first
thing we did was to lay out a rigid
line Of economy and then stay by that
line. We did that to allow Pittsburg
to pay its bills without the saloon
revenue. The commissioners worked
for a meager salary that the city some
day might have something Of which it
would be proud. We reduced every
expense as much as possible and
soon we began to see where we
would be able to make things move
Then came tax time and with the
taxes we soon had money in the
treasury at the close Of every week
Pittsburg was placed on a solid fouD
dation by its first board Of commits
sioners. The people all are satisfi.
ed with the new idea Of government
and none would willingly return to
the old system"
Mr.. Lanyon is . banker. He says
there has been a material increase in
business in the town since the new
form Of city rule began. Many i'm.
provements are noticeable throughou,
the city. Many thousands Of dollars
have been expended In building new
streets and sidewalks. The city has
just finished the construction Of an
immense sewer at saving Of several
hundred dollars. The people are In
terested in civic affairs and assist the
commissioners in running the business
Of the city.
There are not two hundred per
sons in Pittsburg who would return
to the old system" said Fred B
Wheeler. president Of the Pittsburl
Commercial club.
Pittsburg's new board Of commits
sioners. which assumed its duties IL
April. Is hewing closely to the line o
economy laid down by the first board
DR.. Asbury c. Graves, the new mayor
commissioner. has dispensed with use
less ofYicials wherever practicable, an,
has reduced the salary Of certain Of
ncials whose whole time IL not re