Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1915-10-07
The City Commission Plan


Petitions are being CIRCULATED asking
Mayor Phillips to call a spe&ial:eled
ton for the purpose Of submitting. the
question of the adoption of the Com
mission form of city government I'M.
der what is known as the Allen law,
and it is noticeable fact that those
who opposed this measure at the
election four years ago are now most
ardently in favor of its adoption. At
that time the law was new and un-
tried, and many who recognized the
defects of the ward councilmanic sys-
tenn feared the results of the new ex-
pertinent. This law has stood the
test Of four years in number Of
though there have been two sessions
of legislature since its enactment
the act has not been amend
ed or altered in any way, hence
the change of sentiment concerning
it in Aberdeen.
Briefly, the law provides that when
presented with petition signed by
electors equal in number to 25 per
cent OF the votes cast for mayor at
the last election. the mayor shall call
q special election within so days az
ter the filing OF such petition submit
ting the question Of organizing the
city under the Commission plan. If
the question be answered affirmative
ly at the election, a mayor and two
commissioners will be elected within
60 days thereafter, to serve three
years, they being voted for by the city
at large. Candidates for mayor or
commissioner must file petition sign
ed by at least 100 voters requesting
him to seek the position, and the law
is very stringent concerning ante elec-
ton promises of appointments or
bribery.
The mayor will have charge of the
department of Public Safety, and may,
if he so elect, fill either the Office of
police judge or chief of police, or
both, as was done by Mayor A. j.
Splawn at North Yakima. One CON-
missioner will control the department
of Finance and Accounting, and may
fill either the Office of clerk or treas
urer, while the other will have charge
of the Department of Streets and
Public Improvements, and will be su-
perintendent of streets and the wa
ter system. The salary of the may
or will be $4,000 per annum and that
of the commissioners $4,000, with no
additional pay for any other office they
may fill, SO that it is apparent that
the three men, always on the job,
will really be less expensive than the
present plan which pays the mayor
and council-who consider city busi-
ness an hour or two each week
$4,000.
The mayor and commissioners ap-
point the required assistants in their
respect1've departments. and are, di,
'rectTy' responsible: for. the: results
responsibility that 1T is impossible to
fix under the present system in the
city. The mayor will be president Of
the commission, and will oversee all
departments and call attention to any
action required in either of them. All
public utility franchises must be sub
mitted to vote of the people, and
each month the commission must
publish a pamphlet containing an item
lied statement of all receipts and ex-
penses of the city, together with a
summary of it's proceedings for pub
lie distribution.
While the law gives large authority
to the commission, it provides an eff
fective recall which may be exercised
at any time after the official has
held Office for six months. Ordinances
may be initiated by 25 per cent
petition, upon the filing of which the
commission may either pass the pro-
posed ordinance or call an election.
The commission plan offers so many
advantages over our present system
as to leave no room for discussion. 1t
is not claimed to be perfect, but it
is far superior to the present meth
cd and is a step toward perfection.
The City Manager plan would doubt
less prove more efficient, but legis-
lative action will be necessary before
it will be available, and the adoption
of the Allen plan now will be move
in a forward direction.
Keep Down the Tax Budget.
The voting of 100000 water bonds,
purchase of the West bridge and the
prohibition la welcoming effective Jan.
uary /, combine to place a very diff.
cult financial problem up to the city
council, the full gravity of which
BUSINESS IS