The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-11-25
DAYTON IS
PROUD OF
HOME RULE
CITY Points With Pride to Ef-
fective Municipal Govern
ment-Business Methods
In Administration.
PEOPLE STOCKHOLDERS

PEOPLE STOCKHOLDERS
Editors Note: Clarence B. Greene.
director of the Dayton Bureau or ke-
search, has prepared a series of articles
on home for the Palladium. The third
follows:
In 1913, Dayton, Ohio, adopted a
new charter. 1t went into effect JAN
uary 1, 1914, and besides giving the
people a representative commission OF
FIVE members, elected at large, 1t
provided for city manager.
Ever since that date Dayton has
been governmentally in the limelight.
Many cities have copied, in whole or
In part, the Dayton idea. Thousands
of peon!e interested in municipal af-
fairs have visited the city, and there
have been many articles written for
the guidance and benefit Of the people
of other places seeking governmental
betterment.
Usually, Dayton is turned to for the
story of her experience, until in the
eyes of hundreds of thousands Of
Ieople she has come to mean "the best
governed city in the United States"
The favorable vote upon the new
charter in Dayton was not a conse-
ouence of the disastrous food there in
1913-it was merely subsequent to it.
The trend Of events had long been
toward a better government. and it
was accepted that the form Of charter
extending home rule would ensure de-
sired improvements.
Reform Urged.
John HI. Patterson, president of the
National Cash Register Company, over
twenty-four years ago talked about the
need for governmental reform in Day
ton. On the occasion of the Dayton
centennial he delivered an address,
opening with the following remarks:
What ought the Dayton of the fu-
ture be? Does its greatness depend
upon the matter of it's population? If
1t does, then Peking. with all it's
squalor and vice. is a great city. To
become really great, however. our city
must accomplish the largest amount Of
citizens, uniting all the best things
which exist in other cities an ideal
city. Does she do this now? No; and
Why not? Because VIE are not edu-
Gated sufficiently to realize our most
urgent needs. We have no definite
municipal ideas. Before we can have
a great city, we must truly learn what
a great city should be. We must first
educate the people,"
Mr.. Patterson's address at that time
continued with a mastery discussion
of the elements of a great citv, with
their direct application to Dayton.
This was, perhaps. the first suggestion
along the line of governmental better
ment ever made in this country; but
to quote Mr. Patterson further:
Business Enterprise.
"A city is great business enter
prise whose stockholders are the pao-
pie. Our municipal affairs should be
placed upon strict business basis and
directed, not by partisans, either Re-
publican or Democratic, but by men
who are skilled in business manage
ment and social science; who should
treat our peoples money as a trust
fund. to be expended wisely and eco
nomically, without waste, and for the
benefit of all citizens. Good men
should take an interest in municipal
government, and we should have more
statesmen and fewer politicians
The answer to Mr.. Patterson's ques-
tions about the future of Dayton, and
his discussion of conditions then OBJ
tanning, forecast the city's government
of today-one which includes business
methods, business organization and
publicity as it's basis.
Thus, 1t will be seen that the people,
having considered the suggestions of
this master of industry, the flood only
accentuated an already apparent need
for honest, efficient and responsible
ri m q n nonr nnf hry
deficit" embodies tho actual reasons
for the change in administration and
typifies the conditions then prevailing
in that municipality. The annual ex,
penditures We're in excess of revenues
there was inadequate control over the
service of the employees; the cost Of
city supplies and operations was ex-
cessive; contracts for service did no,
conform to specifications, and city of
ficers were unready to take active
leadership for the welfare of the com
munity. The city had had for many
years government sterile of all but
the most commonplace benefits-due
in great measure to official incompe-
tence, and also in 4 large way an
accrual from citizen neglect.
Proud of Government.
The awakening of the public con-
science there, however, gave unto
Dayton an effective government-one
that has been pointed to with pardon
able pride by the people of the COM
munity, and that has been an inspi
ration and guide to other places seek.
ing governmental enlightenment and
advancement
What Dayton has done may be ac
complished, in proportion, in this city.
If the people of this community are
alive to the city's needs, and are
earnestly desirous of getting bett2r
results from the expenditure of thci:
tax dollars, then they will profit by
Dayton's example.
PERUVIAN CABINET RESIGNS