The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-16
EXPERTS FOR CITY RULE.
Prof. n. r. Ely Believes I'm Advertising
for . Mayor and Choosing Him by Merit.

The twentieth century city, according TO
Prof. Richard I. Ely, director Of economics
and political science In the University Of
Wisconsin. will be governed entirely by
trained officials. The familiar rallying
cries heard in municipal campaigns indi-
cate to Prof. Ely imperfect and insufficient
ideas of the nature OF municipal problems.
Particularly lie does not think much OF
the demand that business men SHOULD be
put In Office as the natural and inevitable
directors OF local affairs"
In the Municipal journal Prof. Ely re-
calls past campaigns in New York and other
cities in which the hosts OF reform have
been gathered together by such battle
cries to do battle for the salvation Of the
municipality. and he dwells upon "the
disappointment and reaction which re-
turned to office the politicians
He reaches the conclusion that In the
twentieth century there is a growing feeling
that a wider, deeper basis for reform is
needed to bring about what is desired and
TO prove a permanent acquisition; and he
thinks that models can be found In Ger
many and England,
Il nave before me- he says, the ad-
vertisement Of a German city for a Mayor.
III Is ktdltu III lflls dINtItlsfintIlI WIhI tIlf'
salary is and what the qualifications are,
and these are very high.
1T is added that in case the Mayor Ia
not reappointed after the expiration of his
first term he shall be entitled to a pension
equal 10 his salary; and finally. all candi-
dates. wherever they may live, are re-
quested to send in their applications TO
the chairman OF the municipal Council
before a certain date.
Consider for a moment the contrast
suggested. First, municipal government
is a profession. and not a business, second
il is a difficult profession, requiring special
preparation; third, a man should devote
his life to 1t.
If We stop 10 consider all the knowledge
which Is required for an expert administra
ton Of municipal affairs. we shall see how
absurd il is to expect hat a man can sue
cessfully take the leadership in municipal
administration without proper training
and experience. Municipal government
is something far more than a business,
but looking at il even as a business il has
it's own peculiarities, which must he care
fully learned by suitable preparation,
Because a man has managed we'll a
farm. it does not follow that without having
given any attention TO railways he can
Immediately become a successful railway
President. No more does il follow that
a successful railway President can adj
minister excellently the affairs Of a city,
Here we have a clue TO the reaction so
often seen In our cities from the business
man TO the professional politician The
business man who is a business man and
nothing else is not equal 10 the undertaking
so frequently II is found that with all his
defects the professional politician does as
we'll or better, because he has at least had
Prof. Ely's conclusion Is that there must
he a class of oficeholders, The legisla-
tive officers who should exercise a gem
eral control and represent the community
should include men representing all the
minist rative Offices should be filled by eX-
perts with permanent tenure Of office.
He regards the Mayor a. an administra
tive officer. This, he saws, is the method
In practice in the best State movements.
The regents, representing the community.
see that the movement accomplishes the
purposes the people of the State desire
policy, but turn over the details requiring
expert knowledge TO the faculty, which
has thisk knowledge,
The city" Prof. Ely says. sis something
far more han a business concern. This
business concern idea Of the city does not
as a matter of fact, move the masses of
the people sufficiently TO arouse a great
amount of genuine enthusiasm,
We need a broader basis Of reform,
and a higher aim. and this is afforded by
a new rallying cry which we are beginning
TO hear. the city a well-ordered house
hold, II is this idea which Is giving form
and shape To the twentieth century city.