Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-08-18
WHAT CUMBERLAND HAS
DONE UNDER COMMISSION
FORM or GOVERNMENT
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q Co,lecsAv 20 be lsnient with = hench-
man II ghes payment OF taxes. Now.
that peaftics and graft are eliminated.
tho rlAperty owners appreciate the
situss.on and meet their obligations
promptly.
One OF the greatest advantages OF
the new government has been the
Health Department. Under the old
form what was called the Health De-
partment was considered little better
than a farce. At that time the total
cost was 81, eco a year, while now the
expenditure Is $4,000 a year. The
largest city can boast of no better ad-
vantages in this regard. Municipal
aealth is a matter of purehase-this
has been learned by all residents.
The fines collected under the old po-
lice plan amounted to $500 a year
this year they ran UP to $4,000. The
licenses exclusive OF liquor licenses)
under previous administration yielded
ss7s. this year they were $4,000. Any
citizen who wants street paved. taxes
adjusted, nuisance abated has only to
state his case, the matter being decided
by Council in the presence OF the ap-
llicant.
Everything Said to BE Public.
Everything is public. and there is no
forrnality at the meeting. Indeed, one
of the most noticeable effects of the
new government is the increased in
terest taken in il by the peorle-the
simplicity of the scheme appeals 10 the
man in the street. who goes either to
the meetings of the Council or reads
their proceedings in the newspapers.
In this regard Mayor koon (the pres
cnt exeoutive). who has held this Of
flee for eight years says:
We feel that we are under the con-
stant scrutiny of the people, but II
causes no embarrassment. On the con-
trary. we are glad to know that the
people have an intelligent understand
ing of what we are trying te accom-
plish. While we use our own best
judgment we cannot be Indifferent to
public opinion and welcome advice as
70 how to run the city--and. needless
TO saw. we get plenty Of it,
Some of The Improvements.
The greatest achievements of the
new government We're the building of
g new municipal home at a cost of
sipo. 900, and the establishment of a
new water system at a cost of nearly
$500. 900. and the paving and repaving
of almost the entire city, making total
Of about 81 miles of paved streets
The building of s750,000 hotel.
While this last was done by private
capital, the impetus came from the
new government. 1t pulled Cumberland
out of a rut and created new spirit
and enthusiasm for the upbuilding OF
the city. One of the things found
most necessary was new hotel. II is
now a social center of the city.
II any criticism ran be ieyeiled at the
new government. it is this: That while
the taxable basis was $4,000. 900 at its
start. it is now sso.000.0oo; that all
revenues, fines, licenses and water
rents have more than doubled. and yet
taxes are somewhat higher than they
were. and the bonded debt has increas-
ed by leaps and bounds. In 1920. at
the beginning of commission govern
ment. it was s4s3, 900; today it is s2.-
ooe. 900. an increase of almost 500 per
cent. lQlSs is thdSt1 ps NhS
improvements made, such as water,
paving, etc. Consideration must be
given to the large increase in popu-
lation in the last IL years, the cost
Of improvements made for new rub
Der tire plant, such as building
boulevard to the site. also an extra
reservoir and water supply. The best
proof that the citizens are satis-
fed Is found in their Endorsement OF
the bond issues. every one of which
carried by an enormous majority.
Much Depends Upon Man.
After all is said. the success or fail
ure of municipal management depends
as much upon the man as the system
II is impossible to conceive of sys-
tenn whereby the best man is auto
rlaticaily selected-the best man TO
some lis not the best man TO others.
Notwithstanding the great success
Cumberland has attained under COM
mission government and the munich
pal housecleaning il started, the ciu-
zeus have found that five Commission
ers can squabble among themselves
inn cf