Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-03-15

Alexandra a new form OF govern
nlent to be known as the commission
manager plan was taken last night BY
the Chamber of Commerce at large
ly attended meeting held in the audi
torium of the Enlisted Mems Clul
: when that body unanimously endorsed
plan for such form of government
prepared by R. Stuart Royer, business
manager of the Chamber of Com.
merce.
Under. this PLAN the ward lines
are wiped out. Five councilmen are
elected by the people at large. The
council will elect one of its members
to preside over the meetings who shall
be ex-officio mayor. He shall have the
power and duties as other members
of council, with a vote, but no veto,
and shall be the Official head of the
city.
The council will serve without COM
pensation. or receive small annual
salary, but in applying to the judge
of the circuit court for the calling Of
an election, it must be set out whe
ther the council will receive annual
salary. If salary is paid it shall
be fixed by 1--WE resident taxpayers ap-
pointed by the circuit court.
Offices Not Effected
The Offices of city treasurer, city
sergeant, commemorative attorney,
commissioner of revenue and clerk Of
the corporation court will not be af-
fected in anyway by the adoption Of
the commission manager form of
government, and they will be elected
by the vote of the people at large. 1t
is provided that the council will at
their first meeting, or as soon there
after as deemed advisable, appoint
the city manager who will be the
chief administrative officer Of the city
and who need not be resident of
the city or state.
Three New Directors
The Chamber of Commerce before
adjoining elected the following di
rectors: Colin H. Livingstone. presi-
dent of the Virginia Shipbuilding Cor
poration; Judge Samuel G.. Brent of
the circuit court, and Julian y. VIII
liams. There were five candidates up
for directors and the election proved
interesting.
Mr.. Livingstone is director for three
years and Judge Brent and Mr.. Will
liams fer two years each.
Address by Cc'. Hodges.
The meeting was called to order
by Robert L. Payne, president of the
Chamber of Commerce, who read his
annual report. During the evening an
interesting address on the new form
Of government was delivered by Col.
Leroy Hodges, secretary to Cover
nor Westmoreland Davis.
The speakers said the plan was not
a new tangled idea and had been
operated successfully for many years
past in this country and also in the
city of Glasgow Scotland. The plan of
organization was shown by means of
charts exhibited by Col Hodges.
Unanimous For Change.
AT the conclusion of the reading OF
the reports DR.. w. NJ. Smith, city
postmaster. offered a resolution that
the plan for the new form of govern
ment recommended by the board OF
directors be adopted and President
Pavne called on all those favoring the
nroiect to rise and every man IN the
hall signifed their intention Of favor
;rs the project by rising.
Endorse white Way.
A resolution of J. William Ma!
. that the Chamber give its endorse
merit to the project for the better
, illumination of King street was unanl
; mously adopted.
, Mr.. Rogers report in part reads a
!, follows:
Duties of City Manager
General duties of City Manager
The city manager shall see tina
within the city the laws ordinances
; resolutions and bylaws of the couh
> ri are faithfully executed.
= Attend all meetings OF the coun
; c;l and recommend for adoption sue
- measures as he shall deem expedaen
Make reports to the council froE
time to time upon the affairs OF tn