Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-01-20
Managing the City
BY ]. HAsKIN

j. HASKIN
Is a contractor, and the only candidate
on the business mems ticket who was
successful at the last election. The
mayor-commissioner is a former col.
lege professor.
This commission 10 said to be divid-
ed by petty %jealousies and misunder-
standings. 1t has brought adverse
criticism upon itself and commission
government, whereas Ave years ago
Des Moines was back of It's commits.
sion to a man.
Even under these circumstances,
however, commission government in
Des Moines is undoubtedly an improve
ment over the old regime.
The record Of achievement in NUM-
cipal progress since the commission
form was adopted much of 1t lap
ping rel into the present, turbulent
times has been equalledN by few
cities. The gas rate has been reduced
from 81 to 80 cents, and the gas COM
pany has just been compelled to pay
back to consumers $114,0OO improperly
collected after the commission fixed
the rate schedule. The company
fought the case with might and main,
spending hundreds OF thousands of dol
lars and going TO the United States
supreme court. The city defended it.
and won it at a total expense OF $685.
900, exclusive OF the regular salaries of
the corporation counsel and his assis-
tants.
A civic center has been established
bon both sides of the Des Moines river
that flows through the center of the
town. Here the commission has built
a handsome city hall, costing $428, 900.
1t has built four steel and concrete
bridges at an expense of more than
half a million. and has put up retain.
ing walls and parked the river banks
at a cost Of $4,000.
For ten years, under the old form
OF government, the people Of the city
had been trying to get a viaduct ACROSS
the railroad tracks, connecting the re-
tail and industrial sections of town. It
could not be built because the alder
men q%uarreled aDout which street it
should go on. The commission prompt
ly. built it, spending $150,000 therefor.
Eight public Fairgrounds have been
established and swimming pools have
been built in two Of the high schools.
Two public eighteen-hole golf courses
are maintained under the park system.
1t was discovered that valuable prop
erty in the business section was under
assessed, and the commission employ
ed experts to FIX values scientifically,
with the result that $27, 900, 900 of tax
able value was added to the assessment
rolls. thereby enabling the commits
sion to reduce the city tax levy from
an average of 80 mills to 80 mills.
Motorization Of fire departments is
receiving attention in all cities Of any
size. In Des Moines, the apparatus
was changed in one year from horse
drawn to motor driven at a cost Of
Sic, 900. Miles OF good street paving
have been laid, the public lighting has
been vastly extended and one-half the
sewer system Of the city has been put
in since the commission form Of gov.
eminent was adopted.
An indirect but valuable result OF
the commission form Of government in
Des Moines, is said to be the develop
ment of civic spirit for the improve
ment Of private property. The COM
mission plan was fostered. the com
mission charter was written and the
campaign for its adoption was con-
Quoted by a committee representing
the business interests and property
owners of the city. So much was &C,
complished in public improvements
that owners Of private property were
spurred by pride to improve. Whatever
the motive, it is apparent to the visi.
tor that there has been great activity
of this character in the last few years,
to the general advantage of the city. !
So, despite it's ups n downs, commits.
sion government has brought much
benefit to Des Moines.