Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-10-21
A Few Examples of What the System has Done
in Other Cities which Could be Studied in
Aberdeen to Great ADVANTAGE
NOT IDEAL, BUT BETTER THAN PRESENT FORM
The Ward COunCi|maniC System has Proved Waste
tuI and Inefficient, and has Reached Point
that Cannot be WOrSted by CHANGE

Unquestionably the plan is popular
wherever tried and spreads with
most rapidity among the nearby cit.
les which have the best opportunity
for intimate observation of it's opera
! ton.
Brief as the trial has been, the
evidence nevertheless is startling. In
every one of these cities there had
been waste, some corruption and
much inefficiency. In all OF them
party machines had been in complete
control and had been maintained in
running order at the public expense
through political favoritism in the
making of appointments. How much
the gangs" cost the cities was re
vealed when the government passed
into the hands of men who, having
obtained office without the help of
the gangs" could afford to ignore
them.
Houston, Tex.-Commission plan ir
effect January 1, 1906. Credit of the
city, which had been worth about
eighty cents or the dollar, was re-
stored to par Tax rate has been
reduced from $500 to $40, while
assessments are said to be propor-
tionately lower. The old debt of $4OO,-
600 was quickly wiped out In five
years, seventy miles of streets have
been repaved, the cost being betrayed
out of general revenue. A great aud
itorium and it's site have been paid
for from the same source. Schools
have been redeemed from politics.
Gambling and illicit liquor selling
have been stopped. The price of gas
has been forced down from $1.5O to
$1.15 per thousand.
Dallas, Tex.-Commission plan in
effect 1907 In first two years the
commission wiped out deficiency of
100000 and established a credit bal
ance. At the expiration of the first
term of the commission a petition
signed by 3,700 voters was circulat-
ed amid much enthusiasm asking
the commissioners all to run for re-
election. The chamber of commerce
advertises the commission govern
ment as desirable feature of the city
to attract new industries.
"Haverill, Mass.-Commission plan
in effect in 1909. The first years re-
port under the new plan showed a
saving of $4,000 in running expenses.
When the commission took hold the
financial status of the city was very
bad. 1t had reached both it's debt
limit and tax rate limit and was
steadily falling behind in it's pay
ments. Appeals were being made to
the legislature for an extension of
the tax rate limit, but this extension
has now become unnecessary. There
was fierce political opposition to the
commission at the expiration of its
first term, but it was reelected. Par
ty lines in Haverill, which was for
merly Republican city, have been
completely broken. The commission
consists of two Democrats, two Re-
publicans and a Socialist.
Gloucester, Mass. Commission
plan in effect 1909. The first years
report showed all bills paid and re-
duction in the city debt of $4,000.
1t is claimed that the roads and
streets have been better kept at &c..
600 less annual expense. The city
bookkeeping has been reformed and
the commissioners point to a reduc-
tion in the expense of caring for pub
lie property
"Keokuk, Ia.-Commission plan in
effect 1909. When the plan went into
effect the city treasury was empty
and there was floating debt of 20
per cent. of the annual revenue of
the city. After six months commits
sion government, the city began op-
Grating on cash basis and the bond.
ed Indebtedness decreased by $39,-
900.
"Sioux Falls, s. D.-Commission
plan adopted 1909. In this city of
$1,000 population a debt OF 100000
has been paid off in two years. The
floating debt is being reduced and the
sinking fund accumulated