Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-05

anu hre departments. They arc in
nuenced ofttimes against their tudg-
mcnt BY the call OF votes. All play
for tho endorsement OF organized labor.
which Is powerful factor in Dcs
Moincs.
Dcs Mones-plan councilmen ALWAYS
have found II popular to fight the pub
lic-servicc corporations. AS a result.
all utilities except the electric COM
pany have been given battle In the
last seven years, and the city won
every fight. The electric company and
city are now preparing for the tight
which is coming in two years. when
IT seeks another franchise.
Another example Of the kind Of poll
tics now played is found in the present
day. one Councilman hired hundreds
of men in the street cleaning and
grading departments during the two
months preceding the election Hc
gave each man two to four days work
that it might pass the Jobs to as many
voters as possible. AS result. he
Issued checks to $50 men and spen,
in those two months over $1,000. lie
had men picking up papers in the
streets and alleys on Sundays
HIRE MORE EMPLOYEES
THAN ARE NEEDED
The market house was campaign
issue. The comfort stations and play
grounds were campaign issues. The
Councilmen hire more nployees in the
city hall than necessary because their
supporters in the campaign must be
rewarded. Four district fights have
been made TO cut down the number OF
employees In the city hall Business
men and newspapers were behind them
The best accomplished in one fight was
the discharge OF six minor employees
There is floating Indebtedness ex-
listing in the working funds to-day Of
q Tt,tc III.
having lived beyond the citys means
in the last seven years This will
have TO be bonded
a business man VINO is big enough
for tho councilmanic job. and who can
command as big or a bigger salary
or income than the city PAYS. will
not consent to run for the Council be-
chance Of being elected on his own
merits because the other candidates.
who are politicians Immediately start
mud singing. A man has to play poll
tics II he wins the job. The people
are responsible for so per cent OF this
condition. candidate must make
promises or be the representative Of
certain organization before he can
be elected. There are ia boring mems
candidates" and business mems can
didates" every election
POLITICS is FATAL FLAW
IN DIES MONIES PLAN
Summing up the failnEs OF the Des
Moines plan, there are two that are
vital,
/. Politics. caused by the desire for
reelection for the salary in the lob
Refusal Of men capable Of the
posinon-big men. who would be gem
-. u.ne Puonc servants for the honor
Thereon. and whose financial condition
and earning power is equal TO or
greater than the councilmanic salary
TO mix into campaigns because Of the
mud-s singing and politics.
Retrospection will show these two
Things the need OF trouble.
or that reason. amendments to the
pes Moines plan are considered
one or the most desired is changing
Churchman'S term to four wears and
denying him reelection Thus he
KNOWS he will got $4,000 for four wears
and cannot be reelected.
ne VIII then be in position 70 be
,aithiui public servant. He Will not
nave 10 play politics He can turn
down this group or that group az CHI.
zens wanting specia! favors In the wav
OF improvements. etc. He can use his
own judgment and not worry about the
result as 10 how many votes IL will
WIN or lose. The desire to win the
honor Of being n good public servant
would supplant the selfish desire to
be reelected for the salary there 10
in the job
GOOD MEN WILL. NOT
BECOME CANDIDATES
Business men would then consent
10 be candidates They would not have
10 go through the mud slingin., or as
much of IL. Once on the Council. they
would be compelled to get into the
game OF politics. man on Des
Nj C-n a n ,~;1
out FOR his interests and play politics
or the other four will join forces, on
pose everything he desires. defeat his
projects. vote against them. and, in
snort. make him very unpopular. 1t
has occurred. The Des Moines plan
gives the Councilman great powers
He can use them for good or bad
Another amendment is contempla ted
II is proposed that the Des Moines
plan be maintained just as IL is now,
with the appointment of city man.
aGer TO have entire charge of the ad-
ministrative end OF the operation Of the
city. He would employ and appoint all
subordinate officers and employees. He
would hold his position as long as
he made good. One plan for his ap-
pointment is by citizen board OF
twelve men, serving without pay and
elected by popular vote, who would
also serve in an advisory capacity.
under complete civil service regulation.
The only manner in which members of
either can be removed is by the filing
of charges and trial.
The civil service rules provide spe-
cihcally against any member under
such regulation from participating in
politics. Nevertheless. il is done in
Des Moines. Both departments are
ma chimes. They are made so by mem
hers of the City Council who want
their support.
Therefore. the one big trouble with
the Des Moines plan OF government is
caused by the desire
OF little men for big salaries. That
is the secret OF the trouble
PLAN Is IMPROVEMENT
OVER OLD SYSTEM
But in spite of these shortcomings
1t is not questioned in Des Moines that
the plan is great Improvement over
the old system. The city has some
thing to show for its tax money in
permanent improvements, as shown
herein. 1t is Il more simple and more