Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-10-12
The City Manager Plan

Political economists and students Of municipal
problems are constantly seeking methods by when
cities can be administered democratically and at the
same time efficiently. Systems of municipal govern
ment are constantly changing. The latest innovation
is the city manager plan. In reality it is only q gnodt'
fication of the now well known commission system OF
city government.
The commission system was evolved largely De'
cause rof unforeseen and .fortuitous circumstances. In
1900 the city Of Galveston, Texas, was inundated by a
tidal wave. Millions Of dollars worth Of property was
destroyed many lives were lost and the city govern.
ment demoralized. An administration that could act
quickly and efficiently was inperatiyely needed. The
government of the city was placed in the hands OF a
commission, and so thoroughly and efficiently did the
commission administer the affairs of the city thataH
was decided to retain this system OF government
instead Of going back to the mayor and council sys'
TEN. Political economists and reformers Immediately
hailed the plan as a panacea in city government
Laws were soon enacted in every state III the Union
authorizing cities t~osaaopt this plan.
The principal criticism OF the Galveston plan was
Vhateit placed too much power In the hands or inc
commission. The commissioners were elected for a
period OF four years and no check was placed on them
the force Of public opinion evidently being consitN
cred sufficient to make them behave. Des Moines,
Iowa, endeavored to overcome this defect by proVid7
ing for the initiative, referendum and the recall.
III For awhile the relative merits Of the Des MONIES
and Galveston plans we're freely debated all over
the country. But experience soon demonstrated that'
while the oealp,ission system was preferable tos:the
old mayor and council plan, It did not meet the ex-
p~ectations Of the ~sanguines advocates Who had nailed
m Is q panacea. They discovered that theory anu
practice were different things. And SO a new system
Has been devised-or rather adopted-namely the CITY
manager plan. s +
Two cities, Stanton, W.. Va, and Sumter, n. -
have operated under this plan for some time. LOCK
port, N.EY attempted to adopt the plan IN 1911. A
model charter nass framed, but the legislature refuseo
Is sanction its adoption. Dayton, Ohio, is the latest
city ,tesadopts the manager plan. -This--ttt was enabled
Is 10 because of tile provision permitting home rule
iii Ohio,s new constitution. The Dayton system IS
briefly as follows: "A commission of five is. chosen by
the electorate OF the city In the same manner as city
Sonmlfssioners are elected in. this state. But the com
mission Has practically no administrative duties. It's
funstioase are lersslly lasgislatiye The ;hslsipess & al aa.
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1JSSf i seuuAflsl against sby tie itittative, y1f1t'
IL ssand recall.
s.esc Ny manager plan comes from Germany. 10
snha4SysO 81 eeoaoiAe scMkciarey cities are admin
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