The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-06
COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT IS
 URGED BY SPEAKER
More Efficient, Less Expensive And Free From
 FaVOritiSIn.
Mayor Donnelly of Trenton, N. J., Tells How His City
 Made Money.

Before an audience composed of the members of the Board of Trade and their friends Mayor Frederick W. Don- nelly of Trenton. N. J.. last night ex- plained in detail the advantagesaof the commission form of government. His speech was interesting in the extreme, and he had figures to show the econ only Of the commission form over tho present Bridgeport system of govern ment.
 Since the establishment of the new form of government in Galveston. Texas, after the flood in 1900, the rapid rehabituation of the city under the. attention in all parts of the coun- try to be directed to it. The plan was taken up by several of the smallex Texan cities after it's worth had been demonstrated in Galveston
 It was then that the attention of other cities, where the old form of government promoted graft and ex- travagance in public affairs. was drawn to this model form of government he declared. It was not long bedyOre several Of the largest of the western and middle west cities adopted conn great success wherever accepted, and it's worth was so strongly demonstrat- ed that a number of eastern cities be- gan to give it serious consideration.
 Trenton. N. J., which was at that time noted for waste and extravagance in municipal affairs, began the serious consideration of the commission form two years before it was finally adopt ed. Speeches were made for and against 1t. and the old time politicians were finally put to route.
 Meets Modern Conditions.
 Mayor Donne1ly declared that to his mind the long felt want that the new plan has supplied lies in the modern tzation of the city charter provisions. Conditions predominating fifty years ago were now uninnportant factors, and he declared that the system of half a century ago was no longer able to grapple with the present situation. He declared that the American city re- trogresses instead of progresses under the old form. A municipal corpora tion, the same as a business corpora ton, must live in the atmosphere Nf place in the rank of the foremost American cities. 3
 He declared that the commission form met frnm ediate success in all cit ies where 1t was accepted because 1t embodies the modern features which are lacking in the charters of many of the cities of the country. He de- clafed that the important character isttcs of thevcommission form plan as adopted in American cities are:
  governing authority in 9 small body of mem
 @ .rhe election at large instead Of by wards l> s(3l .-The power to exercise adminIs- trative and legislative functions and the privilege of appointment by the board.''
 (4) s'1she placing of each commits sioner in charge of a definite depart ment and making him responsible to the people for its proper and 1ntellt- gent management
 (5) 'aThe power given to the people to secure honest and efficient govern ment through the medium of the in itiative and referendum and the re- call The intrinsic value of the com mission government really rests on these cardinal principles"
 One-NEan Control.
 The mayor declared that one of the essential characteristtcs of the com mission form is the placing of one man in absolute control of one department and making him solely responsible for it's affairs. Tn New Jersey there are five commissioners appointed as heads of the following departments: De- partnaent of public affairs, department Of revenue and finance, department of public safety, department of streets and public improvements and the de- partment of parks and public proper ty.
 The recall, he declared, was insepar- able with the commission plan An official, realizing that his every act and recommendation decides his con- dnuance in office, will be forced to strive for public approbation.
 Under Bridgeport's municipal gov- ernment, it sis possible for the admin istration official to use his power to- wards private promotion and favorit- ism instead of for the good of the people. and, because of his tenure of office, it is impossible to secure his re- moval until it's expiration. Under the new form. the penalty for graft and dishonesty is sure and effectuaI. Up on actual proof of incompetency, dis satisfied citizens may resort to the recall, and remove a commissioner notwithstanding that he may still have several years of his original term to serve.
 To sum up briefly, the advantages claimed were; centralization of re- sponstbility upon small number of elected officials. non-parthsan- cleo tions. abolition of ward lines, economy CT efficiency, application of business methods, the referendum. initiative, and recall and the simplification of the system with wide publicity.
 The public subordinate is more ef- dcient under the new form, declared the speaker because the COMMISSION CT, realizing that clerks inefficiency would reflect upon him. demands as much as is demanded in a private cor poration. Other marks of the eff1ci- ency are shown with the abolition of salaried boards for the government of the several departments, the public transaction of public business, and the busfnessIike method of purchasing public supplies.
 The Trenton commission at the present time is giving great attention to new legal sources of revenue. The tax dodger will no longer escape. for Trenton is to employ men to trace them, with the result that thousands of dollars which were diverted from the public treasury will be collected.