Semi-weekly herald., 1915-12-06

money than the old government ex-
pended. AS an example. in 1914
Manager Waite expended $35,300 for
the removal of ashes and rubbish.
This was an added expenditure. Day
ton had no service Of this kind in
1912. In 1914 Dayton paid over
S23.oOO for street repairs out Of her
regular income. The old method was
TO issue bonds for the rebuilding of
streets.
The new government added $1,000
per months to the street cleaning de-
partment; put on seven additional
policewomen and policemen to look
after juvenile delinquents, spent $780,
900 to establish municipal court; es-
tablished purchasing agency which
saved the first year $4,000 in the pur-
chase price of supplies without sacri-
ficing quality. 1t established a welfare
department, doubled the number of
parks and public Fairgrounds. laid
out a bathing beach for 10000 per-
sons; established a perpetual audit;
built several miles of sewers. much
new paving; spent large sums for
restoring flood damage; doubled the
cost of the health department; and,
despite the enormous expenditures
made necessary by these added fea-
lures OF government, paid $4,000 on
a deficit of $125,000, inherited from
the old system. This they had done
on practically the same income as
the old government received. They
nave accomplished this remarkable re-
suit by increasing the purchasing
power of the city's dollars.
In the bureau of street cleaning,
asphalt repair, sanitary and storm
sewer construction. the employment OF
trained engineers as inspectors, with
the constant supervision of service
director, has resulted in greater re-
Surn to the city for every dollar ex-
pended than was possible under the
old system where political laymen
"~AS opPoihSCu iiiopCStoAb.
In the bureau of brick street re-
pair, brick streets have been put down
at an average cost of 80 cents per
square yard. In the bureau of as
phalt repair, last month, 2,925 yards
of asphalt were laid at $0.575 per
square yard, including all labor, ma
terial and supplies.
One most attractive feature of the
.own itself and one due to the new sys-
tem is the converting of waste places
INTO gardens, both flower and vege-
table. Any family or neighborhood
willing to clean up vacant lots and
mage garden edged by flowers
along the street side, is given city
aid, even plowing being done by the
city. Last year over 400 lots were
thus treated and Dayton blossomed
abundantly. Children were specially
encouraged by prizes and market
curbing set apart for their own use.
Another unusual move has been the
formation of civic music league
under whose auspices, six concerts a
year are given. Thus all were able
TO hear Schumam- -Heink, the New
York Symphony orchestra and other
great entertainments at the popular
price of fifty cents, no seats being
reserved.
In the government itself a continual
study of efficiency methods is carried
on. A school for policemen has been
established and expert lectures are
given by experienced police authori-
ties continuously. They are trying
To produce a modern policeman who
VIII be an expert in his business. The
lire department has been required to
make house to house canvass to in.
struct people in fire prevention meth
ods
Il cannot tell you the political
faith of single director or employee"
said Manager Waite. "The men were
selected as heads of the departments
for their ability. Wherever possible
| secured men trained for the partic-
ular functions which they direct.
There were no political debts to be
paid. Careful expert Investigations
have preceded all plans. Expert en-
gineers have worked out plans for i'm
provements in the waterworks that
look to the future harmonious devel-
opment Of the plant. Expert engin-
eers are advising US in the plans for
the development of a comprehensive
sewer system. In similar way we
have Investigated crime and social
conditions, police and fire department
parks and Fairgrounds. city planning,
and grade elimination. In our finance
department. our new accounting sys-
TEN is the same as would be found in
any large business. Our budget is
80.