The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-04-17
Ia GRANDE PLEASED
WITH ITS MANAGER
OREGON CITY NEAR MOSCOW'S
SIZE, FINDS MANAGER SYS-
TEN is PROFITABLE

The question that the people of Mos
COW want to decide is whether 1t will
be good Investment for Moscow to
employ manager to handle its busi-
ness. The question is purely an
economical and financial one, and is
not political. If manager devoting
all his time to the city's business, can
save money and give better service to
the taxpayers they will want it. If
not they will not want to make
change.
]. G. Gibson calls The Mirrors
attention to the fact that the ordin-
ance published in this paper Tuesday,
providing for a manager for Moscow
is one he had introduced three years
ago, when, he was mayor, and that he
had made Levy Hammond purchasing
agent for Moscow, which was along
the lines of the managerial form of
government in placing the purchas-
ing of supplies and necessities in the
hands of one person with authority to
act We had thought the ordinance
published was a sample of the one
which will be introduced if the people
adopt the managerial form of govern
ment, but Mr.. Gibson says it is an
ordinance the council introduced
when he was mayor from 1915 to 1917,
and is not new ordinance at all.
La Grande Likes Manager.
Today R. W. Morris, councilman for
the Third ward, received a letter from
DR.. H. S. Brownton, president of the
La Grande commission, which will be
read with interest by Moscow citizens.
The letter follows:
La Grande, Ore, April 10, 1919
Mr.. R. w. Morris,
Moscow Idaho.
Dear Sir: In answer to your
questions of April 5th, will say that
our population is about $500 or 1000.
We have had the commissioner
agerial form of government for about
five years Our city manager is re-
ceiving a salary of $500 year
He has complete charge of city af-
fairs We look to him for results,
and place the blame with him, if there
is any He has the appointment of all |
city officials excepting the municipal |
judge.
I consider this system great sa-
wing over. the ordinary council form
of management and a good manager
should certainly more than save his
salary. If you can keep politics out |
of it, it is splendid system. Other
wise perhaps no better than the
Council Form of Government"
Will send you one of our charters
Respectfully yours,
H. S. BROWNTON,
President of Commission.
The Moscow Chamber of Commerce, |
through it's secretary, had also writ
ten to La Grande to ask about the
city manager plan and received the
letter from John Collier,
1t seems, from the letter
heads of the city of La Grande, that |
here are three commissioners and |
-hese employ a manager. Mr.. Golfers
letter follows:
La Grande, Ore, April 12, 1919.
Secretary Moscow Chamber of Com
merce.
Dear Sir: Answering your inquiry
our form of city government
md what it has accomplished for La
1rande, would say:
1t has in five years practically wip-
ID out a floating debt of $4,000
which prior to that had been increas- .
ng every year. j
1t has enabled us to handle the city's
business at less cost per annum~ with /
more efficiency {
1t has increased the efficiency in
practically every department, largely
politics." and helped to
lace responsibility. |
The commissioner manager form of {
government is based on the principle |
f the corporation and if conducted in /
he same manner will be as efficient Y
S any other corporation.
am. mailing you copy of our char
er which will give general idea of
orm as adopted by this city. If |
an be of any further service will be
lad to do so upon request ]
Yours truly,
JOHN COLLIER,
Manager City of La Grande.