The centralization of authority and the fixing of responsibility in the management of city affairs are urged by its advocates as important elements in the proposed method of administration. A number of business men expressed the belief that better business methods in the city’s finances would result from the new method.
When interviewed today, those who were in favor of the plan included the following:
WILSON R. HARRISON, President of Commercial National Bank—“The question of commission form of government should certainly be submitted to the citizens at the next election, and I believe that the plan will be adopted.”
ARTHUR C. PERKINS, Secretary of the Harrison Building House Association—“Government by commission appeals to me as the best method of managing municipal affairs in a city of the size of Hamilton, and I hope that the question will be brought before the electorate next spring.”
HENRY R. DE RAIN, of Hawley, Jenks, and De Rain, lawyers—“The adoption of the commission form by seventeen cities of the state indicates a widespread appreciation of the advantages of this centralized control of municipal government. Voters here should have an opportunity to put Hamilton in the list of progressive cities of this state.”
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Leaders in finance and business appear to be of the opinion that questions relating to the tariff will be handled conservatively by the Democratic administration. In this belief it is held that the business of the country, which has gained such remarkable[Pg 143] headway, will continue uninterrupted.
James J. Hill, commenting upon the result of the election, declared that the success of the Democratic party would not have an adverse effect on business. He said:
“I feel better over the general outlook than I did before election. An attempt was made to bring about a political revolution, but the American people, while desiring a change, showed their good sense by repudiating the revolutionary doctrines offered them and by sticking to sound principles and established methods of bringing about their wishes.
“Governor Wilson, a deep student of the history of nations, has the training and qualifications which should make him an able president.”