The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-02-10
COMMISSION FORM AND ITS
STRONG POINTS

equal beneht OF all the people Of the
city, without regard to ward limits
or other dividing lines, political par
ties, factions, cliques, so called class
es, or special interests is the high
ideal of city government at which
every progressive city is supposed to
aim.
Cities hat have tried the commits
sion form find that it provides the
best plan yet devised from which to
work toward that ideal. 1t is not diff
fcult to understand why the commits
sion form provided for the govern
ment of cities in Montana has found
favor wherever employed and been
pronounced a distinct improvement
over the old style of running things.
No claim is made that the Montana
commission form is a super-law that
is sufficient to eliminate all the diff
culties and wipe out the expense of
administering a city's affairs, but it
does provide a simple plan on sound
business theories and safe-guarded
to the fullest extent possible against
the evils naturally and ordinarily
arising from responsibility, parti-
sanship, fractional and personal pre-
JUDGE.
The outstanding features of the
commission plan are:
A commission of three-a presi-
dent or mayor and two commission
ers or aldermen. All three are elect
ed at large by all voters of the city.
1t is reasonable to believe that
three can agree, decide and act more
easily and promptly than seven. A
member having thought out a line of
action does not have to make over
and compromise his plan to fit the
plans of six others.
Each of the commission of three is
under heavy bonds to faithfully per-
form the duties and take care of the
affairs of the department assigned to
him. Each commissioner is under
the president but practically he is
in his department and knows
that he will be held responsible for
his own actions but not for the ac-
tions of others.
If a member of the commission
proves unsatisfactory to those who
elected him he can be recalled and
another elected to the place.
No member sits on the commits
sion as the representative of a GER
tain ward, a certain political party,
organization, or interest. The COM
mission is strictly nonpartisan and
the injection of politics or special IN
terest influence into elections is PEN
allied. Officials are elected for their
business ability, not for their popu-
larity with a certain set or section.
The commission plan is emphatic
ally an economy plan and no n can
successfully support the claim that 1T
means greater expense to the city. /;
The law under which the commission
plan is instituted provides that the
existing bylaws, resolutions and or
dinances in force when the commits
sion form is adopted are not distrub-
ed but continued in force. The com
~pensation now allowed the mayor and
aldermen is: $500 per meeting for
to exceed 2 meetings per month
for aldermen and $500 per meeting
for not to exceed 2 meetings per
month for the mayor. The only diff
ference would be a saving of S24.O0 Z
month through the elimination OF
four aldermen. Further, section 3247 |
of the statute provides that "the sal t
airy or compensation of an officer
must not be increased or diminished ,
during his term of office" I
That effectually settles that point
is no chance for increased
expense to the city on account of sal
aries for the officials. On the con- s
the commission plan makes eco '
nomy and saving possible. /
This splendid little city that has I
made such a proud record of growth
is at a critical stage of its progress &
and should do itself the justice of {
following a wise and safe course. 1t G
is a difficult time for cities, both /
and small. That city that gets /
down to a business basis that elimi- t
mates the loss of energy through fac q
5ional friction, and encourages the t
efficient and economical but progress n
,ive conduct of city business in the g
interest of the whole people IS the il
,ity that will flourish and forge ahead
With the return of prosperous condi-
ions.
Let the people of Wolf Point con- c.
ider fully and fairly the city's pres L.
mt and future good. With thought y
nd purpose only for our best mutual n