The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-07-12
Running a City Like Business
Isy Il. E. wood, Mayor of Joliet, lllinois,l

hC iSShit Ists pccH hHat uHA
ing time of general stringency,
when a wave of crime has swept over
almost every city in the country, the
states attorney of VIII county having
within its confines the city Of joliet
with population within its limits or
immediate contiguous thereto ap-
proximating 10000 people, three times
in two years has reported to the cir
cult court that he has no criminal IN
vestigations for grand jury. This
result was never attained in Joliet be-
fore. 1t must be attributed solely to
the fact that the chief OF this depart
ment was responsible. capable, and nn
his mettle to give the city the best
results possible in his department.
In the fire department the same
plan was followed-the best man pos-
sible was selected for the job AMI
put in entire charge Of this depart.
ment. He Immediately developed the
fre-prevention theory and instituted
an educational campaign among the
Isccool children concerning infiam.
mable material In alleys. around thei-
homes and other public places, advo-
eating the inspection of chimneys,
fiues and other probable agencies of
fire in the home.
He started the police idea amoag
the firemen OF monthly inspection OF
all business houses, which immediate.
lly produced a twofofd result. TIE
business men were on their toes TO
keep their places clear Of infammable
material and the firemen obtained q
close knowledge Of the general coz.
struction Of all our large buildings.
The discipline and the personnel Of
the department on an inspection OF
the fire insurance engineers was
placed almost at perfect, and as re.
suit the basic fire insurance rating Of
the city was lowered a full class.
In the water department, the city Of
Cling along with an insufficient sup
sumption during the dry season and
an entirely Inadequate volume for
ifire-fighting purposes. This depart
ment was put in charge Of one man
Thoroughly competent to develop tina
situation, and he has shown the fol-
lowing results:
He has developed the fire fighting
pressure from thirty-eight pounds
ihydrant pressure to one hundred
and five pounds, and increased the
NoluiV uhlll hO lioS Oll
water for all practical purposes.
The quality of the water is now OF
the very best, the entire supply being
taken from artesian wells. we have
had no typhoid fever in any way trace
able to the water supply. and every
citizen now has all the water for home
consumption necessary for his use and
Of the best quality obtainable.
The health denarrmant shOwpd n
like improvement. Under the old
regime health conditions in the city
of Joliet were not what they should
have been. You can not play politics
in the matter Of health.
Again responsibility and power were
conferred in one competent man. AL
most at the beginning he was forced
to handle general smallpox epidemic.
1t was the verdict Of the state board
Of health that never had they expert
enced an epidemic in city similar TO
ours so efficiently handled and SO
quickly stamped out. BY concentrat-
ed efforts the entire city was vaccin-
lated within a week and within three
weeks the epidemic was passed.
The same record of efficiency in
service was procured in the electrical
department and plumbing department.
The one most important in the pre-
ivention of fires and possible accident,
the other lying at the very basis Of the
health and enjoyment of our homes
and the facilities of modern living.
In the conduct of private busine ~
you choose superintendents Of depart.
ments. give them authority and re-
sponsibility and hold them strictly &C
countable therefor. We have sub
mftted the results in one municipality
Of the same principles as Of a business
enterprise. The verdict Of the bust
ness men of our city is that It has
been entirely successful.
Again, let me repeat that there Is no
department OF government in our
country which calls for as much pat
riotism or as much personal interest
OF the men Of the country as does the
conduct Of municipal affairs Of our
cities II industries are to be attract
ed, the departments OF the city must
insure protection to the investment,
quiet and safe homes for the work
men where their families can be rails
ed in safety according to the stand
ards of intelligence rightly demanded
by our American workmen
This condition is possible in every
city Of the United States, large or
small 1t is to be deplored that mod
ern politics is no longer considered an
open field for business men, especial
ly city politics. Unless this condition
is changed, unless our business men
are attracted to nobler endeavor. II
our cities are allowed to become breed
ing places Of anarchy, immortality and
disease, no man can tell their future
influence on the welfare Of this coun-
try.
What has teen done in our city OF
Joliet can be done in any city in the
United States, large or small, II the
business men OF the city realize their
right to a business run government
realize that their business and Their
homes are directly interested: that the
growth and development Of the city
depend upon the efficiency and serv-
ice of its government.