Semi-weekly herald., 1915-04-12
The PEOPLE ARE SUPREME


cry mat is good enough for the smell
ter and for big business houses is
good enough for the city. Economy
in one direction with pride and addi-
tional expense prevailing in other di-
rections to satisfy personal vanity, is
not in accord with the present day
thought. Now that the election is
over we do not hesitate to say that it
was not pleasing to The Herald to
have commissioner of supplies who
considered Autographed stationery the
proper caper when here are newspa-
pers in Durango with well equipped
job Offices that are paying taxes and
are devoting columns upon columns
every week to the development of this
city and southwest Colorado to the
end that settlers may be attracted and
the community grow and prosper. We
say to the coming manager to be care
full not to pay excessive prices but
bear in mind that it is the merchants
and business men of Durango who
privide the sinews of war. II city
authorities are going to secure bids
on all small items why not secure
bids from attorneys to give legal ad-
vice, not only from the Durango end
but take in the state? It's a measly
rule that is not worked both ways.
| Trying to save few dollars in one
line and then paying out thousand
in another is not the right kind Of
economy.
Another thing The Herald would
not mention before election-that as,
soon as certain city employees saw The
Herald meant business in advocating
the charter amendment subscriptions
were cut off-just as though one, two,
or dozen subscriptions cut any ice
with an honest newspaper that is
working for the general public instead
of few individuals. This paper has
no schemes and has never solicited
single individual, party or otherwise,
to violate their oath of office by
standing in with this publication, and
when the public will not accord sup
port for honest work in promoting
the welfare of Durango and the Sec
ton from which it receives its living,
then we are ready to quit business.
We mention this subscription business
to show the calibre.
We have engaged in this review
largely for the benefit of the man
who happens to be elected manager.
Be governed by the mistakes of 9TH
ers and by the fact that the people
demand curtailment of taxes and a
progressive administration as well as
economical. They demand dollars
worth of work for every dollar paid
out. Holding office and positions un-
der city, county, state and nation has
become craze and all because of
the easy berths and better pay. Just
why the city should pay more money
for less work is problem that has
not been solved. True, in few in
stances we have noticed that some Of
the city officials in other places have
not only reduced the number of en-
ployes but have also voluntarily ac-
cepted decreased pay. This paper
advocated remunerative pay for the
three commissioners at the time the
charter was drawn, believing it would
result in securing men who would
perform the necessary work and do
away with supernumeraies. The ak
ira allowance does not appear to have
panned out. When the time comes
that holding office is not public snap
then there will not be the clamor for
place. AS long as there are easy po-
sitions with attractive pay we do not
blame men for seeking them. 1t is
the fault of the public that permits
this and we are pleased to state that
Durango taxpayers and voters have
decided for BUSINESS instead of places
for favored few who happen to be
lucky.
Now regarding the manager plan.
No man should seek the position of
manager with an idea of loafing on
the job at the expense of the public.
Let the man selected do his duty the
same ms though working for himself.
Show no favoritism to man or firm,
newspaper or banker. Be prepared to
meet criticism and do not think it is
personal but applies solely to official
action. Drop self and substitute the
people. Enforce all ordinances with
out partiality. II you cannot permit
the erection Of tabernacle for re-
ligious purposes because of violation
of the ordinances then enforce every