Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-01-30

places are 1T subjects for study.
The city is corporation doing
business of large volume, largely by
tho rule of the thumb. owing. not to
those intrustcd with its management
so much as the system it is ruled BY
zenship was to regard this corporation
as private one. in which each had
certain amount of stock which il
depended upon careful management
whether that stock declared dividends
or levied assessments. what would be
tho result. especially as il had been
the past"
1t goes without saying that every
share of stock would be present in
person to select n management if pos.
sible that would alter the condition
of the company. The large stockhod
ers. with the most directly at stake.
would he there, not only to vote. bu;
If necessary to serve upon the board
of directors in an effort 10 preserve
their Investment from loss.
! In the case of n private corpora
tion the pocket nerve is touched more
directly but not more surely than it
is in the case of the city. yet we find
those most largely interested appar-
emily without interest in the coming
city elections. though the financial re-
suits are as sure and certain as
would be the case if the same inter.
est was held in private concern.
Why? The Herald listens for reply
The writer suggested to leading
should become candidate for the
city council. and was told that his
/ time was too valuable to waste in
discussing business with the average
bunch OF men who usually compose the
I council but. said that if the city
would adopt the commission plan he
might be willing to serve as commits
sioner. for one year. in order TO get
the system established on a firm
/ business basis. although the service
would be at serious financial loss.
| He said he hoped TO recoup that loss
| in years TO come if the city was plac.
! ed on basis that would show AT least
approximately a return OF 90 cents
on the dollar for money collected in
taxes
As AZ present constituted. the gov
eminent OF Aberdeen is not calculated
TO call out public spirit or good bust
ness Judgment, Without the slightest
disparagement TO the estimable citi-
Ems whose filing announces their will
ingness 10 govern the city, We submit
as fact that but few Of the names
found there would be suggested by
any considerable number Of the cleo
torate if the occasion was the choice
OF board OF directors OF private
corporation instead OF the manage
ment Of the city.
Imagine. If YOU can. the stockhold-
ers Of corporation. organized for
business. selecting the board Of d.
rectors from wards. or other locali-
ties. Yet that is just what We are
doing in city management and in all
probability will continue 10 do so I'M
Ill the burden becomes SO excessive
AS ~ exceed the limit Of forbear-
ance.
II is absurd for the business inter
ests Of the city 10 complain OF tan
IS and other Inconvenience Of city
manaeement SO long as those inter
ests not only sit supinely by but alb
soutely refuse 70 devote some time
10 the city management while the
evils complained Of continue 10 grow.
The conclusion Of An old sage is true
tina, We set the kind OF government,
We deserve, and the cost OF good
government !, e,erRally being on the
watch