The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-02-27
MEN BEHIND BILL
ARE SINCERE IN
PASTORS OPINION
The Rev. c. H. Williamson
Gives His Unqualified Ap-
provaI to City Manager Bill
and Its Advocates.
POLICY OF OPPOSITION
TO ATTACK ADVOCATES
Corporate interests Worried
Over Utilities Clause in
Manager Bill and Over
Separate Bills. .....

The Rev, c. Fl. Williamson, pastor OF
the First Presbyterian church, one OF
the leaders in every civic and patriotic
enterprise launched in Memphis in the
past 10 years, Thursday gave his un-
qualified Endorsement of the city man
ager plan OF municipal government.
The city manager plan" said Dr.
Williamson, "as / understand 1t, is an
attempt on the part of the best think
ers of America to bring up city govern
ment to the standard Of efficiency and
moral wholesomeness."
DR.. Williamson was actuated by the
same impulse that moved Bishop Gal
lor and Rabbi Fineshriber and other
forces that stand for the progress and
development of the city to say word
in tho interest Of relieving Memphis
from political rule and attempted COR
poration domination.
Dr. Williamson went a step farther
than some Of those who have confined
their testimonials to the city manager
plan; he declared that the citizens
committee Of 100 Is composed Of men
devoted to the weli-being Of the city
and Is strong refutation Of the as
PERSONS that have been cast upon the
character Of the men and their pur-
poses He was not dismayed In the
slightest in making statement fol-
publication, Notwithstanding Bishop
Gailors was accused of being in his
dotage and Rabbi Fineshriber charged
with being pro- German, for the reason
that they spoke word In behalf Of
Z the great mass Of the people in mat
s ter that might not rebound to the ma
terial advantage ofI the corporate IN
+ terests. III II.
4 ssE pattsflsd those Elst
have had the temerity to sign theil
names as members OF the 'citizens
committee Of 100 and OF the executive
committee Of -, the corporate interests
are seeking to discover the names o.
those who have written to other cities
to find for their guidance how the city
manager plan has operated SO far
only one name has been used. although
hundreds have written and the replies
have been uniformly satisfactory.
Has It's Opponents.
There are exceptions OF course, In
the city manager cities, made up prln-
cipally of politicians who have been de-
prived OF their power and representa-
tiyes of public utilities who have been
deprived of the opportunity Of ,preying
upon the people, These in other cities
as we'll as In Memphis, are opposed to
the city manager plan or any other
plan that gives the people square
deal. -.f.---.-
One of the announcements made. by
the spokesmen for the corporate inter
psts Is that they would be very glad to
nau out to the municipalities. Yet
those chiefly concerned in the welfare
az those same interests are opposing
with every resource at their command
n measure that bestows upon the peo-
nle the right to exercise this privilege
The city administration has surren-
dared body and soul, to the interests
az may be gathered from the fact that
n few months ago the big stick was
welded with a viciousness that foretold
the purpose to destroy or club it into
submission. Lacking either in cour-
age or conviction or both the city adj
ministration capitulated and there was
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