American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1913-05-22

IHc CoAlAaiSSiOuoIS muS make
known to the public all their tran
sactions.
Lastly, but by no means of minor
Importance. Is the advantage to the
people from a financial standpoint.
have already mentioned briefly the
general saving which will be the
result, first. of giving detailed re-
ports to the public, and secondly,
of the definite fixing of responsible
ty. And more definitely, statistics
show us these facts.
The first five years that Calves
ton was under the comm ission form
OF government, the yearly expenses
of the city had been reduced one
third, making a saving to the city
OF about II million dollars. The
tax rate and city debts had been
greatly reduced. A new system of
sewers had been installed. the area
OF paved streets had been extended.
a new and efficient health DEPART
ment had been created, and Calves
TOT had in every way been improved
In Houston, during her first year
under the commission form of
government, a great saving of the
city's expenses had been effected
enabling the city debt of 100000,
to be paid and the tax levy to he
reduced 20 cents on the hundred
dollars. AT the same time the
improvements that were made were
the creates in the history of the |
city, and the expenses of these i'm
provements were paid without is
suing a dollars worth of bonds.
In Des Moines, the old city gov
eminent had left affairs in such a
tangle, that an issue of %$1SO,OOO of
bonds to provide for the floating
indebtedness was necessarily the
first step of the new managers.
Previously there had been a deficit
in the treasury of between $4,000
and $4,000. This has been change
into a surplus.
Expenses have been cut down,
more improvements have been
made at a much lower cost. The
city Is living within It's income a
condition with which t had not
been blessed for many years, pre-
vious to the adoption of the COM
form. Police and fire de-
partments have taken on a new
and the city in general
has taken on afront of good looks.
Cedar Rapids probably affords
best and clearest idea of the
workings of the new system. In
that city when the first public state
of he financial conditions was
issued, by the new managers, it
that the officials under the
system of government had
spending money for the city
at the rate of $40, 1000 a month and
would have added s15O,OOO a,year f.
the city's Indebtedness. But D..
report issued after nine months 4
under the new management made a .
showing. The city had g.
within it's income and had a &.
balance in every fund; every bill !
paid and every current obliga- .
lion met. Tax levies had been re- =.
1uced n mill with a prospect of a .
reduction in the next year. .
AS there are few subjects that .
'ome nearer to us than our %financia .
condition, these facts should awak- .
N us to the great waste of money .
n most of our cities under the old !.
ward system of government. .
l have endeavorced to show you /
'riefly a few of the salient features j..
# the commission form of munich
'al government, which are greatly
uperior to the ward system in that :
Authority and power are central !
zed. There is less chance for graft. :,
here is no political intrigue, for :,
he commissioners are elected at :
=
IlCopOuoioilpty Us UtliHiLely llAcu. h.
The people know the condition :!
# their city and all its transactions 8
rom the reports which are issued {
e~gularly. .
Efficiency is greatly increased. :
There is a large saving from a Z
standpoint. Z
In the face of these facts shall we Z
hen adhere to the old method, Z
imply flom Jul tendency toward 4
onservatism? True the old method 4
as been Used for a long time, but Z
has proven defective, and also 4
onditions have changed with the :
ears. Shall we not then, EAST asideJ
UT prejudices and conservatism
nd adopt that system that will !
most for our civic welfare and 4