The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-19

possibly in the administration of public affairs, but not more than would bt found in any city that has doubled, yea trebled it's population in 10 years. We have simply grown too fast. and ou, civic trousers are rather tight. What about taxation?" Everyone is in favor of the equaliza. tiCn of taxation. Even the large prop erty owners, I believe, would be glad tc pay their share of the burden if they could be made to feel that the other fellow would have to do the same thing What we need more than anything else in thls city is the awakening of the community spirit, in that everyone vii work towards common goal" What is your platform?' 'I have none I do not need one The electorate of Birmingham, in my opinion is sufficiently intelligent to know that g platform is nothing but a series of chi. meriCal promises that no candidate could possibly accomplish in the event of his election. Platforms are the antique weapons of politicians, but they are no fashionable any more"
 Well, how do you appeal to the peo- ple?"
 T don't appeal. I simply offer myself to the electorate and proceed to tell o1 my efficiency for the job. do not knock my opponents or the present ad- ministration as I feel that if l cannot get elected on my own merits certainly vii not accomplish much by calling attention ! to the demerits Of others"
 1 And there you have John R.. Hornady There are few students of municipa government more widely known in ths United States than John R. Hornady He has written many articles of an en, Tightening nature on commission form of government. in which the whole theory I.c .>f ,ipt,. of aiH affairs is expounded. He is a profound believer in the theory that government is an instrument designed by the people to be of service to them
 "At the present time most of the peo- pie are under the impression that gov ernment is necessary evil" said John Well, John. without a platform what do you advocate?" Civil service for all municipal em. ployes, cooperation with pr. R. M. Gun nirm's plan for public health, better streets. equalization of the license priv ilege tax, active cooperation with Mrs Wilson Searight in the matter of socia service, and in fact everything that vii be shown to bring the maximum of goot to the public"
 Have you anything special in view?'
 EVERYBODY GET TOGETHER Yes, the awakening of a better com. munity spirit. l want everybody to gel together. I am from East Birmingham
 one of the many suburbs, and if elected one of the commissioners l will urge g better understanding between the city and the suburbs. That is all that is need ed, a thorough understanding, and a voice for the suburbs in the civic af. fairs of the city,
 And with that John, still smiling, shook hands and left. He was in a hurry tc catch a car to Pratt City. where he was scheduled to make an address. John is from the people and he Is going to the people for votes An excellent place te get them. by the way.
 Voila, here is a boost for John. GA per. sonal boost).
 No position calls for greater executive ability than that of a managing editor oi
 a daily newspaper, where multitudes of questions arise that have to be deter
 mined quickly and accurately. and where the movements of large numbers of mer must be directed to the end that the maximum results may be obtained in the minimum of time. Some of the greates, successes among men in public life have been men with newspaper experience and John is postgraduate of this school.
 As John is the father of commission form of government, the question that naturally arises is: "Is the chee-ild tc spurn its paw, on December Il, or vii the prodigal return with fond em- brace?