The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-04-02
Dayton's Way Out,

NV VIII . way VuG.
Before flood and fire came, Dayton
was deep in debt. When the waters
receded, the city found itself covered
with several inches of Shiny mud, it's
water works crippled seriously, much
public property ruined, sewers clog
ged and disease staring it in the face.
1t must go deeper in debt while re-
pairing: these losses.
During the flood, the mayor. chief
OF the fire department, CHIEF OF the
police department., and a majority of
the city councilmen were marooned
M1l1tary law was declared by the gov
ernor until she officials We're rescued
linen there was a conference in which
1t was decided to place the city Nude,
the administration OF a comm lssion of
fifteen appointed by the governor and
headed by John H. Patterson. presi-
dent Of the National Cash Register
company. The mi1ftiamen were ord
cred to subject themselves to the will
Of this committee.
Military law may prevail in Day.
ton perhaps year, to permit the gov
ernor:'s committee to carry out the
plans for the reconstruction of tha
city upon which it has decided. I'm
the interim, the municipal govern
ment IS without authority. Soldiers
of the national guard villa POLICE the
municipality, probably with the as
sistance Of the loca! police force. the
members of whicA will he sworn in
as special state officers, and every
thing pertaining to the city govern
ment Will be directed from the offic-
ers Of the relief committee
Dayton, therefore, at this time
practically has commission form OF
government. On the Dayton streets
there is already talk Of making this
form permanent since under the old
form the city got deeper and deeper
into debt while with the present plan
the city is working out it's own saliva
ton. The governors committee Of
fifteen will probably be REDUCED tc
five in a short time but it will still
be a commission with the same pow
ers.
1t is a peculiar thing, yet not 81
peculiar after all when the plan )
thoroughly understood, that cjtses, il
trouble turn to the commission pas.
as their way out. Dayton is dom;
it, Galveston did it after che. grea
flood, Des Moines turned to the pla]
in it's extremity, the smaller cite
have adopted. it when in trouble.
There is a movement to have suc]
4 form. Of government for Bemidi
without waiting for the city to &c
into trouble and then have to a1op
the plan hastily. Bemidji is to tax
time by the forelock, But there ar
many things about the commissio,
plan that need study and explaua
tion. In order that the, PUBLIC, ma:
have every opportunity to hear sucl
explanations the Bemidji charter com
mission has arranged to have an ex
pert talk OH the plagg, at the charter
meeting in the city rha1l tonight.
The commission plan has never
been abandoned after it has once
been adopted. There must be some.
thing substantial in it or these cities
would not turn to it when in trouble
Dayton is fighting it's way out of the
enormous debt which has been piled
up in spite of the fact that the city is
one Of the foremost of the United
States in manufactures. Bemidji. has
taken the first step. The public should
attend the meeting tonight and be
come posted on the benefits Of the
commission plan. s5..-s.a..z1