The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1919-02-17

KVTHEN the Commission Manager form Of gov
M ernnsepi was established in Albuquergue hy
vote o. a eprviacing majority 81 the people
q great many voters were convinced that the mere
act Of transformation from one form OF government
60 the other would Immediately remedy all 81 tho
financial and other difficulties Of our local admin.
istraticu. The urest majority of the people had be
eone dsTuried with the continued chickering's. dead.
locks aad political div ,sions W the government mn.
der The aldermnnic form. We had experienced
three terms Of inefficient city administration. the
people were Eager for a change and the suggestion
Of the Commission Manager form proved popular.
The new form Of government has worked NO
miracles in civic financing or Civic Improvement. II
was unfair TO expect miracles Of Il. Yet there are
many people who are disappointed because the
miracles have not been performed. We have been
inquiring into the history Of the COMMISSIONED Man.
ager government IN other cities and we have found
that Ia every cnse there has followed this evidence
Of disappointment and surprise at the lack of mirac.
ulous power. within twelve 10 twenty months after
H. adoption. IN nearly every ease that diSsaiisfac.
tion has disappeared within twen'y- four 70 thirty
months after adoption. because IN the additional
period, where efficient men have been employed.
the results Of a more efficient form of government
have begun 90 show.
il has been pretty well demonstrated that the
Commission Mansger form OF government j. more
enicicn; than the aldermanie form has ever been.
This has been especially true Of smaller cities. II
VIII prove 70 DC We casc ~ AiuuIucfgut.
Ia every ease that has come 10 our notice the
Commission Manager form Of government has found
II necessary. On coming into control Of city affairs,
10 spend considerable time. much worry aud really
expert financing in overcoming mistakes, inefficient
methods aud slipshod financing under former alder.
manic administration.
That has been our experience in Albuquerque.
The first duty OF the present Commission govern
meni has been and Is 10 put this city on a sound
financial basis 70 take care Of interest and neglect
ed sinking funds 10 take mp or rc.hnancc past due
obligations. In our ease the financial difficulties Of
the Commission have been aggravated by a sharp
reduction in income from a number Of sources.
notably from liquor licenses which up TO this time
il has been impossible 10 replace from any other
source.
The annual report Of the City Commission for
1915, IFS first year, published in the Herald Sdinr-
dag, shows that the Commission has attacked the
financial problems before IL IN a businesslikc aud
efficient way. II has reduced the general fund
deficit By approximately o~ne-third. IN spite Of los,
revenue, changes in the entire governmental system
and a cut IN the buying power Of every dollar Of
approximately one-third That showing alone j.
sufficient 10 entitlo this Commission to the conii-
denee and Encouragement Of the people.
The inevitable criticism Of a new form of gov
eminent has been conferred largely upon the City
Manager. That u natural, since he u the official
receiver Of the kicks. The charges most frequently
made against the City Manager have been that he
draws a salary aud that he has not been able TO
make a spectacular showing Ia civic Improvement
within the six months since Re assumed the jou.
n the City Manager. on assuming his job, had be
gun a SERIES Of spectacular public improvements