The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-01-09


United States have already adopted the
commission, commission manager lin
tied council or variations Of these new
forms Of government in the search for
increased efficiency in the conduct Of
public affairs, writes Edwin s.. Pattcr,
editor Of Equity, Philadelphia publ.
cation. The trend Of the experience of
the cities now operating under these
new forms is now presented for the
first time In the current issue of Equity
as the result of a nationwide invcsti
cation which it has conducted during
the last year. r. g.. as.1..s. .-.
In 1000 the disastrous Galveston
food left that city PROSTATE, and the
city government was unable to cdpr
with such condition. The Governor
appointed q commission and gave 1t ex.
tensive powers to meet the unusual sit
uation. Thus was first demonstrated
the remarkable efficiency of small
body with great powers, for the com
mission soon brought order out Of
chaos. SO well pleased we're the eiti-
zens with this concentrated form Of
government that they had IL made per
manent, and the extraordinary cficicn
oy of the government Of Galveston suoN
attracted the attention of the whole
country and the plan began to spread
to other cities. '... ."1g
During that very period many of our
cities were struggling TO find adequate
substitute for the existing system Of
government with its long ballot, cum
bersome two-chambered councils and
the division Of executive responsibility
among numerous elective officials. This
was the system which under the sway
of national party bosses had brought
on the era Of gross inefficiency tad Ger.
ruption. The practical common sense
Of American business men saw in the
Galveston commission plan tho very
tool that was needed.
)es MONIES Example
This tool was seized upon by cities
seeking efficiency, and after the city #
Des Moines In 1907 combined with tnis
concentration Of authority that essen.
ial principle Of democracy, namely, the
'ontrol of the government by the yot
ers through the initiative, referendum
and recall, the commission governme lc
spread rapidly TO every part of he
country. The underlying basis % his
tupendous movement is thus expressed
y Equity;
Concentration of official authnri-
ty and respOnsibility--fOr efticirn.
cy; diffusion among the voters of
the power TO control the govern
mental agencies by means of the
initiative, referendum and recall
for safety and democracy.
In thirty-four states there are now
general statutes authorizing cities to
adopt new and improved forms oil gov
eminent, the commission form being
specifically provided Tor in twenty
seven states. Most OF these laws are
defectlve IN one respect or another ana
tne eomparatIye ahaiy sns Pres t ,1 Wy
tive sction NV the fortv.one S.n,cs IN
which legislatures are TO meet in 1917.
3etter Government Secured 81
A uuestionnaire was sent broadcast
IN municinal officials and thnrs in nh
these cities. and also to various State
officials and legislative reference blu.
reaus calling for the facts # rxpcr.
fence and also concerning the existing /
State laws and constitutional prori. |
sions under which the new forms are |
authorized. T.. |
Signed reports have been received byl
equity from 449 municipalities furnish /
ing body of facts from all sections of |
the country. The facts are almost all /!
in the direction of greater efficiency of !
administration as a result OF the con !
,entration of powers in small bodies of
officials elected to represent the entire !
community, and each member of which !
il Ivhnlly rcqnons;bIo far , defn;te