The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-12-10
No Changes Imminent and
Mayor-Elect COngratu-
lateS Himself.
kLEINkNECHT NEEDS
NO PRAISE
Practical Experience Equal!o
Jchnson's, Says New City
Executive.

That he recognized the right OF the
public and press 10 criticize his ap-
pointments to city offices. but that he
was satisfied with the men he had
chosen as his aides in conducting mu-
nicipal affairs. and that he had no in
tention of making any changes. was
the Eist OF a brief statement made by
Mayor-elect Robbins today
Mir Robbins said that inasmuch as
one out OF every eleven men who voi-
ed for him last month had applied for
some office he was not surprised that
the announcement of his appointments
resulted in a clamor OF protests. and
expressed the opinion that Repuhli-
cans and Democrats had joined in this
chorus in a most enthusiastic manner
He said he was firmly convinced
that the men who would compose his
cabinet were competent and trustwoT-
thy, but if after a short trial he found
they could not properly perform the
duties intrusted to them. he would
show no hesitancy in removing them
from office and appointing others who
could do the work in a satisfactory
manner
Supports kIeinknecht.
Speaking of Clarence Kleinknecht
who is TO succeed Nimrod Johnson as
superintendent OF the municipl light
plant. the mayor-eleCt said he felt con
fident that the new plant manager
would make an efficient public officer
He said that kleinknecht would as
sumo his new duties with as much
practical experience as Johnson and
would have the aid of three experienc.
ed men, who had been connected with
the plant for a number of years. Chief
Engineer Gluys, Chief Clerk Overman
and Head Lineman Sittloh. and further
he would have the assistance of one
of the members of the board of public
works, assigned to supervise the af
fairs of the municipal plant
incidentally. ! am going to intro
duCe' a new system governing the
work of the board OF public works
Mr.. Robbins remarked. "One board
member. besides his board duties. viii
have supervision over the municipa'
plant. one will supervise the street
and public Improvement work and the
{
and fire department. | will confine my
work 10 city hall affairs and the pO
lice court
! Johnson's Career.
Those who have been loudest in
/ their opposition to the removal of y
! II. Johnson as light plant superintend
| ent deny the statement of MayoT-eleci
! Robbins that Kleinknecht will assume
/ his duties with as much experience az
Johnson had when he became manager
/ OF the plant They point out that
johnson began work at the city plant
/ in Il minor capacity when the plant
| began operations eleven years ago
! After working four years in various
| departments OF the plant he was el
ectcd city treasurer. an office which
! he filed three years and during which
| time ne was actively identified with
! the management OF the plant. After
! retiring from the treasureship he was
appointed superintendent OF the plant
and assumed this office with a thor
oueh knowledge of the plants affairs
/ During Johnson's four years as plant
manager its business has increased 81
per cent. and the operating expenses
have increased only ~ per cent
At the Republican meeting last
night johnson, when called upon for =
speech told of his work as superinten.
dent of the light plant and expressed
the hope that his successor would
have a successful administration. -
hope Mr. Kleinknecht viii come to see
me at once so that can give him all
the information concerning the plant
that | possibly can. He is welcome ic
spend all his time in my office from
. Continued on Page Nine)