The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-12-04
CITY MANAGER
PLAN SUCCEEDS
Escanaba, Mich, Progress
ing Under City Man
ager Form.
OPPOSE ANY CHANGE

-Kenosha, as the first city in the
state of Wisconsin to adopt the city
manager form of government, is there
fore interested in the progress OF
other cities under this form of govern
ment. A news despatch from Escana-
ba, Michigan tells of the progress
which has been made in that city I'M
der three years of city manager rule,
showing that there as in Kenosha, a
big increase has been made in public
improvements under the new regime.
The despatch reads:
"Escanaba, following three years
regime of the council-manager form
of government, would without ques-
tion, vote unanimously in opposition
TO any change in the system were any
such thing proposed at the present
time.
Three years ago, the city council de-
cided that some action was impera-
tive to save the town from the hands
of receivers. After studying the varl-
our forms Of government appropriate
for city of it's size, about $4,000, it
was decided to employ manager,
who, working in conjunction with the
council, composed Of mayor and
five aldermen, was expected to right
the chaos resulting after the dry
amendment shut off the city's prin-
cipal source of revenue-the saloon.
fired r. Harris was given the task
of strengthening out the almost hope
less tangle of civic affairs. At the
end of the first year, when the fiscal
hn
townsfolk to learn that about $4,000
of the city's Indebtedness had been en-
tirely cleared away and they were
further surprised short time later to
learn that a general cut in taxes was
contemplated, this being done without
altering the assessments which had
stood for years.
Paved Many Streets.
At the beginning of the councilman
ager regime the streets of Escanaba
were, without exception, the poorest
kept in the peninsula. The city now
boasts the best set of thoroughfares
in the entire northwest. Three years
ago Escanaba hid from public view
the fact that it was not able to sup
ply all of its residents with water and
gas and there was not the capital be-
hind the utilities to extend the mains
to the outlying residences. The only
method by which this condition could
be altered was for the city to take
over the utilities and do the work it.
self. This was accomplished without
the issuance of bonds. The city also
decided to purchase power from the
Traction and Power Co. and distribute
it direct to the consumer. As re-
suit, Escanaba now boasts gas, water
and electric rates that compare favar-
ably with the lowest in the entire
United States.
Use Business-Like Methods.
This business-like method of han
dliag the city's transactions has re-
suited in decided increase in popula-
ton likewise, as is shown in late
report submitted by Manager Harris
on the progress being made by the
utilities. During the last 12-month
period, the city has added 201 con-
sumers of electricity, 181 water con-
sumers and 100 gas consumers.
The latest act of the city govern
ment was to turn over under 90
year lease, rent free, a tract Of land
consisting of nearly IL acres within
the city limits to the schools of the
city for an athletic field"