Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1916-01-28
Commission Government in Eau Claire

Commission Government in Eau Claire
Mrs. D. Bryant, SIG West Market
street, desiring information concern
ing the commission form of city gov
eminent, that she might vote intelli-
gently at the coming election, asked
brother residing in Eau Claire, Wis
consin, to inform her how the sys-
tenn had operated in that city, where
it was adopted in 1910. Mrs. Bryant
has kindly consented to the publica-
ton of his reply, which was received
this week, and which follows:
Dear Sister,
you asked me in your letter for
facts and information in regard to the
workings of the Commission form of
city government in Eau Claire.
1.-THE city commission plan was
adopted by Eau Claire April 10, 1910.
1t is a city of 10000 (estimated) popu-
lation. The tax rate for six years
prior to the adoption of the new plan
averaged .034S. Under the new plan
the average rate was .0264.
THE tax levy for 1912, the second
year of the Commission form, was the
lowest in the history of the city.
1.-The city has retired $4,000 worth
of bonds that were not due for II
years, bearing Az per cent interest;
and also bought $4,000 of it's own
bonds at 4 per cent.
1.-THE Commission plan centralizes
control and responsibility, commands
competent men, obtains efficient plans
and methods, secures economy, avoids
overlapping and duplicating, secures
equality in administration, no favorit-
ism, respect for law and order
There is no politics or partisan
ship in the elections or the service.
We know, because we have had three
elections, one to fill a vacancy and
two regular.
"In way of improvements under the
Commission plan I will say that more
has been done since its adoption in
1910 than was done in Is years under
the old system, the principal of which
are: New concrete bridge, at Memo
minee street, Carson park i'm
provements, concrete pavements mo.
tor fire apparatus, new city hall, new
auditorium, new concrete bridge over
Chippewa river, and others / will not
| try to mention.
you spoke about some of your peo-
| pie fearing there would be more crook
ed work done by three men under the
Commission form of city government
than by twelve men under the old
system. Let me tell you that from
experience under both forms of city
government I will say that have got
to see the first piece of crooked work
done by our present mayor and two
councilmen. But l could tell you
enough about the old system to make
book. I don't want you to think
am casting any reflections at the men,
bers of the council at Aberdeen. They
are not known to me; but I am just
telling about my own town, present
and past.
There has never been a recall pro-
posed, nor presented; and don't think
there is any danger Of Eau Clair 60
ing back to the old system.
The most important thing to be con-
sidered in adopting the Commission
form of government is to secure the
election of your best business men
those who have made success in
their own affairs and have reputa-
ton for honesty and integrity. If you
get such men you need not worry; but
in case you should not secure all
three of that class, you have the re-
call to fall back on. My advice to
anyone would be to support the Com
mission form of city government by
voting to put the best men in office.
| "Your Brother,
| w. w. ELWELL."
Eau Claire, Wis,