Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-14
Full Power in tho Mayor

T HAT the chief executive officer of the city
OF Richmond should exercise absolute
and untrammeled discretion in the selection
or department heads appears to us 10 be self
evident If he is to be held responsible for
administrative efficiency, he must control the
selection of his principal associates
In the series of studies of modern munich
pal government, prepared with the sanction
of the National Municipal League and edited
by the leagues secretary. Clinton Rogers
Woodruff, the latest volume issued is de-
voted to The City Manager" What is said
therein of the managers appointive power
applies with equal force to the sort of Mayor
the Civic Association proposes for Richmond.
Here is an extract:
What in Keeping with the in
nate justice and husinesslike spirit
which pcrvade the order than to
hold ,he: city manager responsible for the
complete execution Of the trust which is
dcvolved upon him as a public servant?
We concentrate thc power In him and
we look TO him to Justify confidence
Yet this very spirit Of righteous justin
cation would he a mockery OF itself IL
We Ola not put II in the power of the
man TO whom We apply such acid test
to discharge ably tho tasks he assumes.
The means OF discharging the trust must
inevitably lie in the personnel OF the de-
partncnts over which he exercises so
radical a control The Dayton charter.
therefore. provides that the city man
ascr shall have wide and gen
has absolute control over his depart
ments and absolute power OF appoint
ment and removal, with or wthon,
cause. provided only that he does not
act In conflict with the civil service reg
ulat!on.
Further discussing this aspect OF the
problem of city government the same author
says that 1T Is simply question. as in the
commercial world. OF how to produce the
best results. and an application Of the en-
perience OF private enterprises that important
executives must not be hampered in their
means OF effecting tangible achievements"
So ii is. There cannot be the slightest
question OF the truth OF this conclusion and
that is the reason why we have protested and
shall continue TO protest against the so-called
efficiency board" Of the Civic Associations
devisins. So far as that board shall devote
ltself TO the preparation OF list of eleibles
Tor appointment TO positions under the city
government and TO the protection OF that
list against political chicancry il will per
form an excellent service. For il TO exer-
else veto power on the appointments OF
the Mayor would destroy utterly the CEN
traiization OF authority and responsibility at
which modern charters all aim
with the right sort OF Mayor, supervision
ana confirmation OF his appointments by the
efficiency board" would not be necessary be-
cause he would have the inclination TO get the
best men 20 assist him in managing the city's
affairs and it is 10 be assumed. adequate
comprehension Of the special fitness each sub
ordinate should possess. Their success in Of
fee would mean his own success and enhance
his own reputation. On the other hand with
the wrong sort OF Mayor, the deficiency
board would be practically valueless be-
cause he would send in a succession OF an
pointments. each worse than its predecessor
and hold the board responsible for the fact
that an important department was left with
out directing head.
If Richmond elects fool or weakling OF a
personal or political crook. to its principal
oico and invests him with large powers no
scheme OF supervision that be devised
will save the city from the consequences Of
that mistake.