Evening journal., 1913-02-27
BOOST FOR
COMMISSION
GOVERNMENT
commune From FIrst Page.

CONTINUED FROM FIRST rage
the city had been raised several feet
and while much money had been spent
there was not breath Of scandal at
tached to IT, The commissioners we're
subseryient TO the people and It was
possible to hold them responsible for
the present debt.
Other cities working under the COM
mission form of government referred
to we're Houston Texas. Austin, Dali
las. and the only criticism heard,
Mr. Woodruff said. was from those
who were prevented from working on
their schemes.
The commission form, the speaker
said. was not ideal by any means. but
it is a marked improvement over the
old method Ia this respect the speak
cr dwelt on the present method OF
shifting responsibility from one city
department to another while under
the new form responsibility would
rest or the five commissioners who
would always be responsive TO the
people In other words the old man
ner OF government scattered the eggs
in the basket Mr.. Woodruff said. while
4 the commission form tends TO hold
them together where they can be
watched. or the many advantages
under the commission form OF govern
ment. Mr. Woodruff said It tended to
n reduction IN indebtness or IN the
tax rate. or a reduction OF expendi-
lures, all tending to efficiency.
In the abolition OF ward lines and
the election OF the FIVE commission
ors from the city az large, Mr.. Wood
{ run claimed that all men elected
would then be anHwerable 10 ali the
people which was a great advantage.
In some instances. the old line polit-
icians become the best commission
ers as was the case i'm Des Moines
The proposed act which was based
! on the Walsh act. OF New Jersey, Mr..
Woodfdn said was permisslve and
: not mandatory which he thought right
as Il meant home rule for the people
and they could say whether they
wanted Il or not. After Mr. Wood
run had ceased speaking OF the
workings OF the new method Of gov
ernment he took up number OF
/ questions which had been submitted
Ono OF these read
DO you think that the building Of
political machines would be possible
under the Commission form OF gov
ernmentY"
Replying. Mr.. Woodruff said:
''Righteousness is not attained
through the acts OF legislators; il Il
were we would all be righteous but
the commissioners would be respon-
sive to the will OF the people"
In reply to another question rela-
tive 10 the workings OF the Initiative
and Referendum, the speaker said
these measures had never been abus
ed IN the commission governed cities
The measures were regarded as a
safeguard.
Another question asked was. What
type OF men are elected under the
commission form?' and the answer
was, Higher grade, always
Numerous other questions were ask
ed and at the conclusion William L
Kurtz. member of the commissio
that drafted the charter which wa
defeated at the election last June. wa
asked to speak on the subject MI
Kurtz declared that he had talked un
III he was blue in the race and tina
il was time TO stop talking and d
something He declared that tn
Chamber OF Commerce should assis
i'm having this enabling act passed b.
the Legislature. He said they expect
cd to improve and go ahead, but HI
could not see how they could expec
il TO move unless they gave II some
thing TO move with
Several other persons urged tha
the Legislature be asked to pass th'
bill enabling the CITY to pass new
charter.
irving Warner made a motion tina
the Chamber of Commerce pe urge,
20 use its Influence with the Iegis
ture to pass the bill. The vote wal
unanimous In favor of the motion.
Mr. Woodruff was entertained at
luncheon given in the grill room o
the DUPONT Hotel by committee o
the Civic Association and Chamber o
Commerce prior to the meeting.