Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-06-05
GIVE OPINION ON
COUNCIL MANAGER
Delegates to Labor Conven-
ton Express Views on
Subject
GEN. COXEY ISsQU0TED
Delegates From Portsmouth, Clifton
Forge and Fredericksburg Discuss
Plan and Say it Works Satisfactory

The Citizens Committee learning
that there were a number of gentle
men attending the Virginia Fedora
tion Of Labor from all over the coun-
try, and that there were number
here from cities under the Council
Manager Form of Government, the
Committee requested statements from
these gentlemen in regard to this
form of government some of which
are published below and others will
be published later.
William kellum, Portsmouth, Va.
Portsmouth has been under plan
for two years, Think success of plan
depends upon the Council and the
Manager selected. The Manager must
hc honest with his whole heart in
the work. A cheap man is the worst
thing in the world to fill place Of
this kind. The plan has not worked
| 50 well in Portsmouth because the
voters were indifferent and selected
the wrong Council and they selected
The wrong kind of a Manager. The
plan is the best kind of government;
if YOU have the right kind Of a Coun-
ell to start with. A man that has
tcen mixed up in politics has no right
to be in the Council or to become the
City Manager The man should be
chosen according to their capability
and rot because of political pull"
]. B. Duncan, Portsmouth, Va.
"This is the best form of govern
,ment that you can possibly have pro
yided that the referendum and recall,
are included Everything depends OF
getting the proper men in the Coun-
ell. Great benefits have been derived
IN Portsmouth from the plan but the
weak point in Portsmouth is that the
wrong men have bee nselected for
the Council. 1t all depends primarily
on the interest of the voters
Thomas Noland, Portsmouth, Va.
Mr.. holland gave this Statement
as to how the plan had worked il
Kansas City Missouri, Mr.. holland 81;
Vice President of the National Unior.
of Boilermakers. His duties take hin:
all over the United States and he ha:
been satisfactorily impressed with tn:
improvements brought by the system
of government in cities all over the
country. He says-"The plan is ar
absolute success in Kansas City" /
is non partisan government. Has
improved morale, beautified City ant
organized the people"
j. S. Coxey, Massillon, Ohio,
He tells how the plan has worked
in Dayton, Ohio. at has been in eff
feet several years, and IS working
very satisfactorily. Have derive;
great benefits from this form of gov
ernment, and are getting away from
great amount of corruption in poll
tics"
]. w. Hatch, Clifton Forge, Va.
"Plan has been in effect abou
eight years. Like it fine. Many bene
fits, derived from it. It has proven :;
great success in every way over tn,
oiG form. Has saved a great deal Of
money for the City. The money is
we'll spent. Have fine Manager whc
is we'll worth his salary"
III. L. Latham, Fredericksburg, Va
"The City of Fredericksburg has
enjoyed great improvements unde,
the new system, and the citizens havs
taken more interest in the welfare OF
the City since the installation of this
system. The system has saved moro
money. The City would not revert t.
the old system"
Geo. w. Harrison, Fredericksburg, Va
. .'City is better in every respect
and has progressed very much sine:
this system has been IN operation. ,Dt
not see how the people could rever
to the old form after having the new
Before this system was introduced,
I. remember that the City only had i've
" men working on the streets, abou.
two months in "a year! Under the-n
system we know how the money j: