The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-20
Question of Establishing
 Pension Bureau or Main
 taining Present Efficient
 System, Says Thompson
OTHER CITIZENS OF SUBURBS EXPRESS
 THEIR OPPOSITION
Think Increase Would Be
 Step Back Toward Old
 Aldermanic System-No ; Reasons Given for Change

Wherein lies that strength claimed by the supporters of the five commis- sioner bill, the issue of the referendum June 2S?
 From interviews obtained and com munications received by The Age Her aid yesterday those who have an- nounced their intention to vote in fa- vor of the bill are flew and far be- tween"
 J. o. Patterson, a we'll known cit izen of Woodlawn, said yesterday that he knew of his own knowledge no cit izen of Woodlawn who would vote to change the form of government.
 "There may be some who will fight for five commissioners, but l do not know them" he added.
 J. H. Berry, an influential resident Of North Birmingham, in letter says
 There are very few men in North Birmingham who will vote to increase the number of commissioners from three to five
 J. K Plosser writes: "Three com- missioners will in my opinion, serve the requirements of our community better than a greater number. gen eral manager of decided executive abil- ity might in wisdom be provided for. "The sentiment of the majority of my neighbors is for three commission CTS"
 Kelly Opposes Increase
 George C. Kelly of the Kelly Realty companys says: q am opposed to any increase in the number of commission | ers would prefer a decrease This seems to be the prevailing sentiment why any opposition to the three commissioner form of government: 1 There must be a cause.'
 J. H. stillman says: q am unalter- ably opposed to the proposition of in- creasing the number of commissioners It would be step back to aldermanit rule So far I have not met singl, person who favors the proposed
 change"
 NJ c. Reynolds says: '.There Is nt
 need for special representation by any
 suburb If there was dozen or mor' commissioners would be required. Three
 good men. well paid, should do th' work. Efficiency would not be in 1 creased by increasing the number. w want results in our city government
 and jess, not more politics. Persenal ly I have never heard of anyone dc siring a change in the present plan. R. Dupont Thompson of Woodlawn says '.If it is quantity and not quality tha Mir Judge wants, his new commission
 bill is very nearly perfect. It fills. a he states, "a sound public sentiment fo a change'-among, however. those wh
 want the jobs. The jobless like the pool are with us always, and it seems to re solve itself into a questlor or whethe we will establish a pension bureau o
 stick to our present plan of efficiency.
 MT. Judge does not take us into hi confidence and tell us how the propose bill is going to make the gov-I n1nent mor representative. So far the dear pee pie know, this proposed new addition , the official family may, and doubtless vii will come from that same South High lands street that Senator Judge refers tt But irrespective of whether or not tn 7 present government is representative venture to say that there was never more democratic one.
 5 '.To increase the quantity has and a ways will decrease the quality. Alderman l ic government was a failure largely O
 that account In proportion to the il ? crease in the number of yorr public oi ' ficials do you thereby make everybody l business nobody's business
 9 '"The city needs at this time, more tha l at any other in its history the very bel l talent that it can command. You cal
 not secure this by dividing responsibit. I decreasing the compensation and thereh : placing a premium on Incompetence I l command the best talent you must pa for it; if you want a capable clerk yo t would not expect to get him for R p' f week, and if you employed 40 of him yo q would not thereby increase your eff ciency. It is a question with Birminghal t whether she wants to placv nrr affairs E the hands of competent or incompetei s management. The situation cannot s improved by adding more help and d e CT easing the pay. Furthermore, I hay :, never heard of the three present commi r sioners being overworked. They are m t asking for any assistance and l am n e in favor of increasing the supply uni
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