Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1917-12-27
CHAMBER Of COM
MERGE ACTIVITY
Secretary Mariner Has Pre-
pared and Is Mailing Out
Another Bulletin

Under date Of December Il, the
following bulletin has been mailed to
the members Of the Baxter Springs
Chamber Of Commerce:
A New Spirit in Baxter Springs
There Is a new spirit in Baxter
Springs spirit Of cooperation and
a spirit Of mutual helpfulness. We
know that our city has heart and
soul. We have long way to 60 I'M
til we become an ideal city; it lies
far ahead, but is a goal worth striv-
ing fora great center Of throbbing
life with vast industrial activities,
and beyond all, a clean city that
means health and happiness to all. A
city of 10000 people within five years
Baxter Springs is on a firm foun'
dation to become, not only q great in
dustrial center, but also q large dis
tributing point. Absolutely nothing
can stop the growth of our city, with
the mining production only scratched
and reaching toward Baxter Spring
from every direction. People through
out this broad land are hearing abou;
Baxter Springs. Beyond a doubt
this city will be one of the larges
cities-if not the largest-in our fail
state. The possibilities of Baxtei
Springs are absolutely unlimited
Conservative and hardheaded bust
ness men concede and are making
statements that Baxter Springs is
destined to become q vast, throbbint
city of industrial activities, and a.
members of the Chamber Of Com
merce, you will have much to do with
that development. Promptly at the
beginning of the new year, various
committees will be appointed who
will pledge themselves to the work
outlined for them. AS a Chamber OF
Commerce, we will have come before
US, as an organization, many large
problems that are vital in the build.
ing of our city.
The Commission Manager Plan
of Government
The following data has been gath
cred by the Secretary for the benefit
of the members Of the Chamber Of
Commerce, knowing that at the first
of the year, which is no great dis
lance off, the petition calling for an
election on q commission-manager
form of government will be filed.
The legislative power is vested in
a non-partisan commission Of three
men elected at large by the people as
purely a legislative body; its duties
covering all legislative functions OF
commission government. It passes all
annual appropriation ordinances; it
enacts all police and public improve
ment regulations; it has authority I'M
der Legislative power granted to in
vestigate the operations Of any de-
partment of city government.
The City Manager represents the
Commission, and is the responsible
Executive Head Of the Administra'
tive Department of the City Govern
ment. The entire administrative
functions of city government are con-
centrated in him. He may be chosen
from the citizens of your town, OF
from any part of the United States
He appoints his immediate subordi'
mates, and all other administrative
officials under him. He is directly
and personally responsible to the
commission, and through the commits
sion to the people for the entire ad-
ministrative functions of the city. He
may elect the heads of five principle
department from the citizenship Of
the town, or from outside the city
He may dismiss them at will.
Some Advantages of City Mana
ger Governments
1. Eliminates National Partisan
2. It destroys ward lines and "log
rolling"
8. Provides for control through
Initiative, Referendum and Recall.
4. Provides q small businesslikt
body for legislation.
5. Concentrates administrative
authority in a trained executive.
6. Departmental heads appointed
for ability, not as rewards for pOlit-
ical service. =,
4. Fixes absolute responsibility
for every administrative, act.
8. Makes governmental operations
as efficient as private business.
8. Insures team work among all
departments,
10 Makes possible cooperation
betEeen city government and all civ
ic and philanthropic agencies.
IL Promotes the adoption Of eff