The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-11-29

1t must not be assumed that ade-
Quate government is based entirely
upon the form, organization and per
sonnel-that is, upon having we'll
developed and popularity approved pro-
gram. which is executed by capable
officials through the medium of cen
tralized organization, and in accord
ance with the scientific methods which
modern government demands and
which such organization facilitates.
This conclusion would be in error
it would be only a part of the whole
truth. a more important element in
government than all of these is citi-
zen interest. 1t is through citizen in
terest that these other factors are
brought into being, and are continued
Governments exist only to render
services to their citizens. The citizen
is the customer of the business of city
government; he pays the bills, and de-
cides whether the product and the ser
vices he gets are satisfactory. If they
are, he will continue them. If they
are not, he will change officials, meth
DDS or plans TO get results more ac-
ceptable.
Must Know Problems
This citizen interest includes a
knowledge of the citys problems and
the program for their solution, a sub
ordination of personal to the general
will Of the community, and public
spirit sufficient to choose the right
man for office and when possible to
serve the city.
Wise policies and adequate perform
ance will not be permanent unless
they have the support of a sympa-
thetic, critical and informed body of
citizens.
The Dayton, Ohio, government may
attribute its success since 1914 to the
cooperative efforts and support of its
citizens, the majority of whom mani
fest a high level of good sense, judg-
ment and honest purpose in civic mat
ters. Evidence of this interest and
participation is cited in the indorse-
ment of the form of government and
the commissioners at the polls at
election times.
Dayton has had three elections since
the inauguI aLion of it's commission
manager form of government, aad al
though on each occasion politicians
have tried to gain control through the
selection of hand-picked men for
places on the commission, the people
of that city each time have placed in
office those who were not tagged with
partisan label. but who set commun-
ity interest above personal interest
People Satisfied.
There can be but one answer to this
and that is the majority of people
there are satisfied with the new order
Of things. Dayton, it seems, is the
special leader in revealing what good
government really means After get
ting the politicians and incompetents
out OF the city hall after government
ceased to mean parcelling out of soft
jobs, and after developing a public
agency sensitive to the desires of the
electorate, and at the same time clean
and efficient, it began to exhibit a de-
light in undertaking a high social
service.
Dayton's government undertook the
responsibility of looking after the
people of the city. 1t frankly and
definitely undertook to abolish private
charity within the city by taking over
every tested and necessary philan-
thropy. 1t consolidated every charit-
able agency and coordnated the work
under the direction of a paid super
visor and competent staff. 1t created
division of public nursing service
the representatives of which are CON
stantly safeguarding the health of the
people. Through this it reduced infant
mortality by more than 40 per cent
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