The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-10
MANAGER BILL
A DEAD ISSUE
Republican Lineup, Corpora
ton Opposition and Money
Sounded Death KneIl.

had occasion to observe, are not inter-
esting. But the people OF Memphis who
supported the city manager bill with
no thought except TO bring about a
better order Of things and who were
not on the scene In Nashville where
they might have observed the methods
used against the bill, are entitled to
know some Of the underlying facts that
brought about its defeat.
In the first place much Of the credit
belongs to Bob Church, negro member
Of the Republican state committee; H.
o. True, Republican member OF the
county board Of election commission
ers. and c. 3, Quinn, Republican mem
Der OF the city commission, who brought
Hal Clements, OF Knoxville, Tenn, to
Memphis and, through him, were in
strumental in organizing the Repub-
lican members of the legislature solidly
against tho bill.
In the second place the corporate in
terests lined their following up against
the bill. In the beginning the bill con-
tanned a vigorous section providing for
the purchase and operation Of public
utilities. Within a few hours after the
bill made Its appearance in Nashville,
the corporate interests served notice
h a the utilities section had to come
out of the bill.
Lobbyists Were Busy.
Lobbyists for the railroads, street
railway companies, telephone com-
panies and power companies had nj
hesitancy in telling the friends Of the
come out. 1t vas taken out with the
hope that their open and powerful hos
tility might be avoided as the section
might be eliminated without surrender
ing any authority the city now possesses
while the bill would retain its funda-
mental principles. But the corporate
interests did not forgive the advocates
Of the measure for presumIng in the
outset to attempt to regulate them and,
relieved OF the excuse for fighting it
openly. they fought II under cover and
just As effectively. The corporate in
terests take their u from their Mem
phis representative.
Slush Fund Figured.
And, finally, there is the open talk
about the illegal use of money. Some
amazing charges were made and 1t was
even suggested that the charges could
be proved. 1t is known that a slush
fund was raised in Memphis from three
sources. Just how much was spent and
for what purpose may never be known,
but the result tells the story Of the
effectiveness of the argument"
That nine members of the legisla-
ture could be defeated by two who re-
| pudiated their pledge is most unpre-
cedented, but that is what happened II
n Is to go no deeper than the sur
face. During the present session two
members from Davidson county passed
a bill over the protest OF four who re-
pudiated their pledge. Then the legis-
lature reversed itself and r~epudiated
| zine Shelby members and upheld two
who broke their pledge.
Representatives Hanover and Galella
made a strong fight, They made good
speeches against the bill. Representa-
tives Bell and Phelan also presented a
strong defense Of the measure, but
speeches, argument, the virtues Of the
measure and its imaginary iniquity had
no effect upon the result. There was
q compelling influence stronger than
either Of these at work.
Made Strong Fight.
R. r. Ellis, Chairman of the citizens
committee of 100, was disappointed, but
accepted the result as gracefully as he
could. we made the best fight we
knew how to make he said, but we
were confronted with methods that we
could not overcome and would not use
The daily assaults upon Wilson NAL
lory, Lee Mallory, C. A. Gerber, Mar
tin Condor, Bishop Gailor and others,
were without effect either at home or
abroad. These men have had their in
tegrity questioned and have endured
abuse and Misrepresentation because
in their desire to do something for their
city they have run counter to the de-
signs Of the politicians. 1t Is doubtful
II there will be any further activity on
their part for quite a while, but the
politicians will continue to play the
game.
Practically all OF the delegation that
went to Nashville to help in the fight
for the passage OF the bill returned
Thursday morning. A few remained
over and will return Thursday night.
Mayor Monteverde and Commissioners
Quinn and Mason, who have spent the
past two months In Nashville, are still
there. Col" John G. McLemore, Capt.
G. r. FitZhugh, D. B. Puryear, Ernest
Miller, H. 0. True and others will re-
main Until the time for r~econsiderinl
the bill has passed or until it has been
called up and finally disposed OF for
the next two years at least.
Jerome Richards, recently elected
poll tax collector Cor Shelby county, was
on hand to repudiate the claim that he
was the choice Of Monteverde and the
city machine for the office, He lined
up with the advocates of the manager
bill and made no secret of the influ-
ence that helped him in his fight, re-
gard'ess OF the claim made by the may
or's friends that he never was for Dave
Wells, Mrs, Casaretto or win Miller,
but was for "old Jerome all the time.