Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-05-01
"THE CITY MANAGER
A NEW PROFESSION"

This headline is the title Of an ~
tercsting publication just issued >!
D. Appleton & Co., New York ant
London. Harry Aubrey Toulmin is tin
author, and while the deductions O
the writer may not be readily adopt
ed by every reader, his suggestions
and observations cannot fail to bring
rcveries. Municipal government Is
problem which has caused study froA
time ,immemorial. Reforms have sue
ceeded reforms, and after all, new
regimes have produced but temporary
results, and, like turning SICK mar
in bed, in short time troubles re-
turn.
The idea Of employing an efficient
professional municipal expert as thu
general manager Of a city for the
same purpose as the general manager
of a private corporation is sigma
departure in local government in
America. The commissions
form of government has achieved q
wide reputation in very short time
The bulk of the people in nearly every
city in America have grown weary 81
the Unsatisfactory manner of conduct
ing public affairs and Notwithstanding
the many changes in charters tno
conditions have not greatly improved
People are gradually awakening q
the fact that city government is one
of tho great factors in human lllc
and bids fair to become even q
greater factor during coming gene
rations. The charge is often maze
that our municipal machinery Is
bopclcssly involved and comphcat
ed and inadequate. The era Oh ne"
charters has run its course, and tnt
remedy, it is alleged, is not found
in such changes. which prove but
T: whitcwash upon IL pump which does
not yield water
4 The city of Galveston, Texas after
having been almost eliminated by
ida, wave from the Gulf of Mckee
has rccupcrated rapidly and wonder
fully under this modern mode o.
government, municipal officers havllis
been taken. out OF politics.
MIR. Toulmin's volume explains tn'
details of the city manager form o.
!, Government us it exists IN score
Eof cities. The author being a citizcf
Of DAYTON, he has had ample oppot
tunity to study at first hands INC
city manager form of government
no has also had the advantage O.
consultation and close contact WIN
those who were making the expert
ment.
Mr.. Toulmin set forth many start
ling facts and figures showing tn
inability of some persons to conduc
the financial or administrative al
fairs of cities. Too often arc III
competent men. who were unable II
conduct their own affairs, placed il
public positions. Failure was .
course, inevitable.
Amoag other things, the auth'
says: ''Thc spirit of sectionalism ha
dominated the political life of ever;
city. Ward pittied against ward, 81
dermen against aldermen. and legs
lation only effected by 'log-rolling
cxtravagant measures into opera
ton. mulcting the city, but gratl1F
inr the greed Of constituents, has to-
long stunc the conscience OF deceh
citizenship. This constant treaty
making Of factionalism has been II
less thar a curse. The city manage
plan proposes the commemorate tmn'
of aboliShing wards
Mr.. Toulmin would make the talent
Ell politician an Othcllo without a
occupation.
Mr.. Toulmins book however
should DC read and studied carefuli.
studied by all interested iii govern
mentS. as he uttcrs many truths which