The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1913-02-21

pect that the fear that any change
might prove loss to the organ rather
than any great respect for the present
system is responsible for its attitude
In its last issue it argues that because
no one at present knows exactly
where and how to economic that it is
useless to try to find some one who
can ascertain the faults of administra-
ton. And again that because taxes
in Caldwell compare favorably with
taxes in some other communities that
the cost of government here is not too
high. With all due respect to the Of
ficials of the city and to the people
thereof, we hold that an intelligent
man after a few months of close
study will be able to point out a num-
Der of places in which a material saw
ing might be made. One who has given
the study of municipal government
some consideration is in better posi-
ton to accomplish reforms than the
ordinary citizen. 1t is no uncommon
thing for private business concerns
to call in experts to go over their
plants for the purpose of ascertaining
the Improvements in methods that
might be effected. If business con-
Germs find that experts can point out
possible improvements why cannot
municipalities do the same thing? 1t
is altogether possible that methods of
handling municipal affairs are in use
in others parts of the country that are
unknown to Caldwell. 1t is not likely
that the accumulated wisdom of the
ages is conferred in this city, or that
perfection was reached twenty years
ago, when the present city clerk first
undertook the duties of the Office.
A little incident came to light at the
last session of the city council that
teens with suggestion. According to
the meter at the residence of George
w. Green he had used water to the
value of $72.4s in 8 months. Not
withstanding the fact that it was ap-
parent that the meter was running
too fast no efforts we're made to cor
rect the meter The city clerk reck-
oned that dollar month was about |
the right price to pay and so the |
charge was entered upon the books.
The clerk was undoubtedly about
light but his reckoning is not the pro-
Der manner in which to right the err
ors made by the water meters. 1t
imply shows that municipal affairs
re not handled in business-like way.
lax methods are responsible for many
osses to the city. A private concern
would have Investigated the meter. 1t
would insist upon having its meters
approximately right. The city en-
ploys two men to handle its water |
system. In addition to that the city
clerk does large portion of the work. |
Our guess would be that a thorough
business man would effect consider
able saving in the water works de-
partment of this city. Of this we are
not sure. We admit that we have
not had the time to thoroughly in
vestigate city government and con-
sequently are in no position to point
out the exact spots where economy
can be practiced. 1t may be that the
two men are so busy that they did
not have time to investigate Mr..
Green's meter. If so we had better
employ another man. In either event
the affairs of the city need looking
into. To look into such transactions
and to watch the interests of the city
would be the duty of the manager.