The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-11-04
|MR, SOuTHARD GIVES
HIS PLATFORM
Lakeland, Fla. Nov. 4, 1913.


impression circulated by some OF my
opponents to the effect that in case
II am elected as councilman from the
Fourth Ward will not give this Of
flee my undivided attention, therefore
am writing this letter to set you
straight.
Should you elect me to represent
you in this ward will promise to
serve you to the very best of my
ability. AS to the plank in my plat
form I believe you all want a better
and more economical city govern
ment. Or, in other words. want
something to show for your money
spent. l am of the opinion that our
city can be successfully handled with
fewer employees. 1t certainly can be
done If they work; if they do not
work, we do not want them at any
price.
| | believe our electric light and wa
ter plant can be made to yield bet
ter results, although the present re-
suits are good, but they can be made
even better. There is no reason why
with slight expenditure our run
ming expenses cannot be reduced
from 20 to 25 per cent. This should
be done, and if am elected shall
cast my vote for this improvement.
| Regarding the street improvements
l believe in living up to our charter,
have specifications drawn up for all
city work by the city engineer, and
let out to the lowest bidder. All this
work should be under the direct SUI
pervsion of our city engineer. do
not believe the city can get the re-
suits 1t Is entitled to, or any show
for the expenditure of its money
when the Council lets the job to one
OF the members. If the law be looked
into you will find this act alone is
criminal.
I believe in free sewerage at all
times, but the user should pay actual
/ cost for connection. IN regard to the
parties outside Of the sewer rance,
their buckets should be taken care of
i by the city with a slieht raise in the
tax if there isn't enough money
available. Let us all help carry this
burden until we can have sewer con-
nection with every residence inside
of the Incorporated limits. However,
! am in favor of getting the sewer
connection to them as soon as pos.
sible.
AS to the extension of the electric
light lines and water mains, get them
to our people, get the actual service
to them. Spend less money on friend
ship and extend more lines.
Our police department is, think,
fairly good, but it can be improved
and will lie if my vote will count for
anything.
also believe in straight salary
for all city emplcyes-no side lines.
Every city employe should be as
much Interested in keeping the run
ming expenses down as any other citi-
zen. If he is not, you may rest as
cured he is an expensive man to have
at any price. There is no reason
why an emrloye should not take a
direct interest in and be as faithful
to the city's welfare as he would be
If he were in your employ. If he is
not, 1t is his move don't keep good
man out Of job as there are plenty
who will work and do it right.
AS in any other work, city en-
ploye should be subject to discharge
upon thirty days notice for failing to
perform his duty.
Coming back to the object of this
letter, | will explain why | did not
serve you regularly when on the
Council in 1911 and 1912. In 1911
my attendance to Council meetings
were regular and on each of my COM
mittees worked faithfully-as every
member can certify.
In regard to my second year, I can
explain this and you will all acree
with me in the end. was employed
by one Of the LARGEST manufacturing
companies in the State OF GEORGIA as
consulting eneineer by the day until
the work was completed. did not
know then how lone it would take
to complete their work. in fact, they
Gid not know themselves. The re-
suit was was away from my Coun-
Gil duties much loncer than was ey.
pected. However, it was with no in.
tentions on my part to fail in per,
forming my duties as councilman.
In conclusion, will say, II YOU
elect me as your representative from
the Fourth ward, propose ard viii
select say ten or more men of the citi
zens from said ward each month and
consult with them as to the best wa,