The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-17
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

&A4NlV HID4N M1nS For forms of government let fools con-
 test
 Whate'er Is best administered is best"
 General manager plan, commission form, or aldermanic regime These three forms are banded back and forth by the political manipuiators.
 An Englishman eucclnctly says: Sue cess in government depends upon the structure of the administrative maehine and upon the qualities of the administra- tors.
 Here in Birmingham, the commission form has. "a black eye with many, for at times ia the past it has degenerated more into5a Vaudeville performance than sit- ting of revered city fathers.
 Others claim that 1t has been more like a football game than a business per- formance, and that if one had matter of importance to bring before the body he was unmercifully kicked from one depart ment to another. until black and blue he hit it for the side lines.
 Still further critics claimed that it was too expensive a show and that the pub lie could not keep it open much longer or the sheriff might attach the box of flee. Then came day of rigid economies and not much more talk of extravaganza ;z ,x.l, i,a A~l aid was always around with an injunc ton ready to stop any unlawful expendi- lures.
 I dare say however, that for the time being the form of government will be in abeyance, since Horace Wilkinson's fail- | re to get his petition filed and acted upon. It's a day of patient waiting until the legislature meets and the little joker can be eliminated from the stacked game
 It isn't claimed even by the most Vo- ciferous advocates that commission gov ernment has proved the success that it was touted to be by those who put It over. If you call their attention to the matter they counter by saying it has never had a fair trial in Birmingham. And this drives us back to the adminis- tration and the administrators.
 Now, that last line gets me back to the pig skin, for I fear I did not make it quite clear in my football paragraph above just how hard it is for even an athletic politician to kick goal at tho city hall, while the plain citizen has dif- fculty in even getting chance to punt. You go to the head of one department to be politely told that it is in the jurisdlc- ton of the other and after you have seen four heads and are still out of court the average man feels like breaking somebody's head Anyway, he goes out and becomes a sorehead against commits sion government
 Personally, I have no kick coming. Every time I have been before the com mission I have got quick action. There was no kicking me from one department to another got promptly kicked by all four. this and nothing more, for nary thing have they ever done that I wanted them to do, but do not hold it against them for they did it so heartily and unanimously that I went away feeling that at least for one time the whole bunch had agreed-a very rare thing.
 
 The public has been treated to many tender scenes staged at the city hall, when after heated debate and much ......4h of ,,araa,o1 faeIinu onpar had ebbed away, and two or more commis- sioners, to use the very sensible words Of ones childhood, agreed to publicly to "kiss and be friends Sunny Jim was always ready to act as peacemaker when Arlie and Truss made faces at one an other. Even the imperturbable George has gone through such scene with the police commissioner, and it is told that patient John Hornady once lost his tenn per, but was so busy trying to find it that nobody interrupted him in the search, and he took So long that he ended by smiling.
 A man like myself who for quarter of a century and more has known the OlQ town ana Hdu SOIHetIiiis lo uo With the city government either as a news paper man, lawyer or preacher. feels like he understands the game of city politics just bit, and I am trying to write free from malice and bit ju- dicially, but failing I know, for I do not expect to even fool myself, let alone the men in office, that am treat ing the situation with absolute equity My sole apology is that I am trying to size up the matter by telling the truth as see it in as plain terms as pos sible.
 I believe in peaceful government guided by public discussion, and I be- lieve in the right of every man to have a say as to how he shall be governed and by whom and I propose from time to time to use this column for the legiti- mate advocacy of my views whether they please or displease those in of flee or those trying to get in. Lese Majeste is an exploded doctrine even in high handed Prussia, or in any event 1t is not overworked as of yore, and I am eternally opposed to its resurgence here in Birslingham under the great gospel of hush" don't speak above a whiS- per if you criticize political institutions or politicians.