University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-02-08
The Open Column
II We Must Change.

7
Editor The Missourian:-In view OF
the recent agitation for the commits
sion form of government for Colum-
bia. the bill introduced into the Gen.
eral Assembly of Missouri, which
makes provisions for the city mana
ger form of government for Missouri
cities of the third class, is of espec-
ial interest here.
The law which permits cities of the
third class in Missouri to change
their government to the commission
form is unconstitutional, it is claimed.
The city manager bill would provide
substitute for the orthodox form
of city government that is constitu-
tional and, moreover. is a better form
than government by commission.
The advantages claimed for COM
mission government over the older
forms, are, briefly these:
Disregarding the traditional Amer
lean adherence to the doctrine of sep
Grated powers, which experience has
shown to be harmful in city admins
tration, 1t combines in one body the
legislative and administrative branch
es of the municipal government.
1t makes possible, to degree, nom
partisan government, lines Of politi-
cal cleavage being drawn without re-
gard for national parties or issues.
1t substitutes, to a degree, govern
ment by experts, by professionals,
for government by amateurs.
1t makes possible in the city gov
ernment the same efficiency with
which the affairs of business cor
poration are managed.
1t concentrates responsibility.
But commission government is only
a halfway advance in the right di-
rection. The city manager plan is
commission government carried to its
logical conclusion. The voters still
choose the commissioners, but these
in turn choose the city manager, in
whose hands is placed the power to
administrate the affairs of the city
and the responsibility for their prop
er administration.
Although commission government
wipes out the line between legisia-
tive and administrative powers, it di-
vides these powers again when 1t
parcels out the departments of the
city among the commissioners. I'm
der a city manager this centraliza-
ton is carried out to the logical end.
One man controls all the departments
of the city's government and is re-
sponsible for the efficient execution
of all administrative functions.
The city manager is chosen with
out regard to party or previous place
of residence. He is an expert, hired
in much the same way that busi-
ness firm would hire business man
ager.
He is a professional administrator.
trained for the practice of his pro-
fessicn. He is hired to make good;
If he fails, he is fired.
1t may appear that, because of the
high degree of centralization offered
in this plan, the influence of the cleo
torate might suffer. This, however,
would not be true. In this case, con-
centration of power means also con-
centration of responsibility; this
makes it easier to fix the blame for
disagreement. The proposed bill for
Missouri, by providing for the initia-
tive and referendum In regard to or
dinance and the recall of elective Of
ficials, and by providing for civil
service commission, furnishes ample
safeguards against any abuse of ad-
power.
If Columbia must change the form
of its city government, here is the
form to choose, not the commission
form. To turn to government by a
would be at best half
way step. 1t would be better to fol-
low the new trend in city admins
tration to its logical conclusion. to
the city manager plan of municipal
B.