The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-01-11
CITY MANAGER Al WORK.
COUNCIL HOLDS CONFERENCE
WITH MIR. WORTHINGTON
TUESDAY NIGHT.
New Officer Will Learn something of
nue. Before Starring out to Make
Changes-Somcthing of Mr.. Worth
ingtOn.

Mr.. NJ. NJ. Worthington, Sumter's
City Manager, officially began upon
mis- duties in his new position Wednes-
day morning, after q conference with
Council Tuesday night at which mat
ters relating to the position were
discussed and plan formulated for
Mr.. Worthington to learn something
of the city, what work is needed and
what means the city has for doing
this work.
1t was decided that Mr.. WOrthing-
ton should take up one department at
time and be shown the various fea-
lures concerning each as it was taker
up. He would not be left to his own
resources to be overwhelmed by the
multitude of his new duties, but the
affairs Of the city would be turned
over to him gradually as he learned
matters in connection with the city
and was prepared to shoulder more
to the city's welfare and advance
ment. The first department to be
taken up would be the public works
department, of which Councilman j.
+. Booth has been the head for the
past two years. Mr.. Worthington
would be introduced into the diff
culties Of this very important depart
ment by Mr.. Booth and after he had
mastered 1t, he would be ready to take
up the next department. The time
consumed in this, of course, could not
be specified, but any reasonable time
would be given.
Council realizes the fact that Mr..
Worthington will not have an easy
time of 1t. He Is a stranger here and
all of the Disadvantages occurring by
reason Of this fact will have to be
met and overcome. The position re-
quires a versatile man, able to cope
with difficulties of all kinds, man
capable of handling men, a man who
must have engineering experience
and knowledge Of all matters in any
way related or connected with the
operation OF a municipality, or he
must learn these before he can make
a success of the Sumter Plan of Gov
ernment With the many difficulties
in view Council wants Mr.. Worthing-
ton to learn thoroughly what he has
TO do before he assumes full author
ity which, however, will be given
him as soon as he is ready for it,
AS provided several months ago the
salary attached to the city managers
job Is $500 a month and it is at this
figure that Mr.. Worthngton has ac-
cepted the position.
AS stated in Tuesdays Item the
City Manager reached Sumter Tues
day morning. Since that time he has
been looking the city over and learn
ing things about 1t. He held a con-
ference with Council Tuesday night
when plans for his future work were
mapped out. Mr.. Booth has
taken him in charge for the time be-
ing. so D speak, to show him mat
ters concerning the public works of
] the city. Mr.. Worthington stated
Wednesday that ne would not COM
| mence on any work of importance or
make any changts until he had mat
| ters in hand and knew what was
! most needed in the city and what
means the city had of doing such
work. He would start out to lear this
| first.
Mr. Worthington Is q young man of
thirty, OF boyish appearance, with a
very pleasing address. He is mar
ried and will bring his wife and child
TO Sumter, their future home, the
latter part OF the week. He will IN
the meantime take up his residence
at Mrs. John Haynsworth's on Cal
houn Street, He has had several Years
experience Of practical engineerins
ard road building and CONS to sum
ter highly recommended. In him
council thinks 1t has secured a good
man for the position, matter which
Sumter's future will show.
Taxes Behind Last Year.