The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-05-01
COMMISSION PLAN
IN TRENToN,N.J j,
End Of First Year Shows
Rapid Advance.
BUDGET LESS, TAKES DOWN

bUubcJ LOO, IAAIO uUWh
Commissioners Have Eliminated Par
+. tisan Politics and Have Raised
Standard Of Public MoraIs-A Re-
port Just Issued by Mayor Director.
The results Of the first complete 6s-
cal year of commission government in
Trenton are set forth in a report made
public by Frederick W. Donnelly.
mayor-director of public affairs in that
city. showing great improvements eff
fected in every department of the city's
government and substantial gains in
economy and efficient business admin
%istration shorn of the discord of party
politics. Trenton was one of the first
cities to adopt the commission form Of
government in the east. and other New
Jersey cities have since adopted it.
The results obtained in Trenton
have clearly demonstrated beyond the
dreams of his staunchest supporters
the superiority Of the new SYSTEM"
says Mayor Donnelly in his report.
Both in economy and efficiency the
city has advanced with rapid strides.
The cost of administering the govern
ment for the last fiscal year was $4,377
less than during the preceding year;
the ratables Of the city were increased
3.76 per cent during the year; the bond
ed debt of the city was decreased more
than 3.5 per cent. the tax rate for the
first fiscal year was reduced 2 cents on
each 500 of valuation.
I'm connection with the tax rates it
is interesting to note that for three
years preceding the adoption Of the
commission, form of government the
rate had been advancing at an average
increase Of seventeen points a year.
1.-The revenue deficit of $37,SO8 that
existed at the close of the fiscal year
of 1912 was reduced to $12.361. When
the board of commissioners took Of
fee the revenue deficit was $61.SO7. The
apparent necessity to issue bonds at
that time to fund the evenu deficit
has disappeared. and it is reasonable
to suppose that at the close of the cur
rent fiscal year the revenue deficit will
have been entirely wiped out and the
city will have q. revenue surplus.
"This year the city has not been
obliged to negotiate any temporary
loans. an unprecedented condition. as
it has always been the custom to Dor
row about $4,000 for maintenance
and operating expenses pending the
collection ofsanticipated taxes. 10y:
1.-THE value Of fixed property owned
by the city is $685.. 100. The city now
has financial statements kept on a
basis Of scientific and businesslike ac-
curacy and system. The income for
the year ending Feb. %. 1914. was $780,
600 more than expenses. The expenses
for the last four years prior to COM
mission government had increased an
nually at an. average rate Of $4,000.
Expense Of the last year Immediately
prior to commission governments adop-
ton. showed $4,000 increase. while
the first year of commission govern
ment showed a decrease of over $4,000
OnQer the prior year. 81
Under the heading. Business Super
sedes Politics." the report says:
ITO enumerate the many improve
ments and accomplishments that have
been witnessed in Trenton under com
mission government administration.
aside from the financial curtailments.
would be bordering on the impossible.
We have witpessedsthe destruction OF
partisan, policies in the deliberations Of
our governing body. not one partisan
vote having been taken during the two
years Of its existence. and this despite
the fact that the commission comprises
three Democrats and two Republicans.
During our administration we will
erect and put into operation a filtration
plant costing approximately 100000
and will have plans designed and prob
ably commence actual work on the
construction Of a sewage disposal
plant and garbage incinerating plant.
the latter to supersede u present ere
matory. We have also provided for
two new fire stations. twenty-five addi-
tioral policemen, improved streets. bet
ter lighting facilities. increased park
territory. harbor facilities and many
other improvements. We have also ar
ranged to increase nj parking spaces
and recreation centers.
"Under commission government the
standard Of public morals In Trenton.
has been materially raised. All city or
dinances and state laws are rigidly q
forced. and the freedom of policemen
and iremen from the political yoke
that formerly e~ncompassed them has
unquegtdonably made Trenton q better
city from every viewpoint"
Civic Activities In Argentine.
From the Argentine Republic come
some interesting reports Of civic and
municipal activities. In October. 1913. /,
the first international clildren's cor.
gress ever heldin the Argentine Repub-
lie was inauRurated in Buenos Aires: