South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

II there a thing in municipal circles a
city administration achievement flag, the South Bend
city council Thursday night would have added an
other achievements the Keller administration
flag when it passed the city garbage ordinance.
The Keller administration has been of achieve
ment The garbage ordinance star would be only one
among many that would dot achievement flag
the outgoing administration would beside 9TH
or stars representing the enactment OF measures DOING
away with outhouses creating a city planning com
mission. creating city association placing the
disposal of the citys garbage on revenue deriving
plan and many other important innovation in the con-
duct OF the cIty's governmental affairs.
When Mayor Fred w. Keller and his official family
turn he reins OF South Bends municipal
Inent at noon Monday to Mayor-elect Franklin
his administrative forces they will do it with
keen knowledge spite Of much criticism dur
ing years OF their occupancy the city
they have given South Bend good administration one
Znayoralty period in the city's history.
STUDIED OTHER CITIES.
Mayor was elected years on an n
dependent ticket. From the outset Of his adminstra-
ton the took deep interest in the complex
city the size OF South Bend. He studied the plans
other cities in south Bends class gave
effort ascertain what the best for his city.
Early in his administration he began his efforts to-
eliminating politics among employees at the city
hall directed this effort the police and
partments and at the close of his administration he
pretty satisfied with the results obtained along this
line
one the big marks attained during the years
OF the administration the increasing the citys
park than so percent by the acquisition
lands for park and recreation purposes. The ad-
mnistration added alone the city's park
by the purchase OF the village woods and the
of land w. Division st.
Still another star in the administration achievement
flag the reduction in the electricity gas
insurance rates. than 500. 600 a year being
in this reduction, and will take only years
effect entire saving of than million
dollars.
The Keller administration responsible for the
of the plan Of placing franchise granting
a paying basis for the city The first franchise o.
this kind in which the city of South Bend reaps
revenue the st. Joseph Heating Co. BY
terms of this franchise the city obtains two and one
half percent the gross receipts from the
10y this company. Another beneficial clause in this
franchise. placed there by the insistence the
mnistratOn. is the providing that the city may
purchase and take it's business if such step
deemed advisable for the public good.
GET BETTER INSURANCE RATES.
Along with other progressive steps of the outgoing
administration the in adopting a modern
building code. The code and
proved only progressive but beneficial in many di
rections For thing its adoption enabled the
curing - better rates in South
Keller responsible for the adoption
competitive in the selection OF heads
partments where technical skill in the
these departments is Included in the
petitve selection the heads of the city
ing department the building department. city
and city electrician.
Business methods have characterized the adminsra
sion of the citys municipal affairs during the past
years. while Mayor Keller his appointees
may have been many times severely criticized during