Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-10

partment one of the commissioners
is placed. He has full charge of
the department and should be held
personally accountable to the pub
lie for the success or non-success
of his individual department. The
object of this is that If there is any
thing wrong in the administration
of the given department, the ciu-
Zens can go to the commissioner in
charge and ascertain the cause. On
the other hand, if a department is
managed with efficiency and integ-
rity, citizens likewise know upon
whom to bestsew the credit. A com
missioner cannot shift responsible
ity, nor can the mayor, II 1t be in
his department. 1t is the business
of each commissioner and the may
or to see that those appointed by
them individually perform their
service efficiently, honestly and in
diligently.
Under the commission form, a
mayor has only the power to ap-
point the city attorney, the city en-
gineer and his stenographer, and
the commissioner, who is at the
head of each department, has the
power to appoint those working in
his department. The theory of the
plan being that each commissioner,
being responsible to the public for
the success or non-success of his
should have the right
and the power to name those who
work under him. Such, in brief, is
the plan of administration of this
form of government.
ProgresslVeness.
I believe that we are together on
the proposition that Rock Island
needs many things for its growth,
and betterment On
this general proposition all citi-
zens can easily come together.
1 believe in the enforcement Of
city ordinances and state laws.
l believe that the provisions of
the contract, embodied in the union
providing for the annex
alton of the territory south Of Eigh-
teenth avenue, should be carried
out to the strict letter of the con-
tract and that this territory should
get the same attention as the older
part OF the city and that the incom-
ing administration should make ev-
cry effort to grade streets and fur
nish the citizens of the south part
Of our city with electricity, gas, po-
lice protection and such other inn
provements as they desire.
l am in favor of opening up the
closed fire stations and an ade-
luate police force.
My attitude with reference to or
ganized labor is we'll known.
The progressiveness of my for
mer administration and courteous
treatment toward the public speaks
for itself. Without any spirit of
Dragging or OF egotism. am frank
to say that my administration OF
four years accomplished more in
the way of improvements than had
been accomplished in all the ad-
in the Is years pre-
ceding, and due to my efforts. Rock
river is now the southern limits of
the city, instead of Eighteenth ave
nue., thereby getting Ninth and
Twelfth streets in such condition
that the city has now an artery
leading to the country, which a few
years ago, as is well known to ev-
eryone, was we'll nigh impossible.
In conclusion, / desire to say
there are numerous reports
the city to the effect
that if Harry Schriver is elected to
the office of mayor, that this indi-
yidual and that individual will be
chief of police. l desire to say in
all honesty and sincerity to the
public that l have made no promise
TO anyone with reference to any ap-
that l have not even
discussed the same, nor given il any
whatever, because of
the fact that it is not within the
power of the mayor, under our
present form of government, to ap-
point anyone, except the engineer,
attorney and stenographer.
In my candidacy you are not con-
an unknown. You are con-
a man with an active, pro-
gressive record in public office.
You know who l am. / have lived
among you for over twenty years.
You know my business ability as
mayor. You know what / have done
and what can do, and if you de-
sire a candidate who will advocate
and insist upon the enforcement of
laws, and who will be a progress
sive, ambitious and up-to-date chief
executive, who will work in con-
nection with the business interests
Of this community for the growth,
welfare and future of Rock Island,
vote for me.
Very respectfully.
H. M. SCHRIvER.