The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-11-27
TAX WASTE
AVOIDED BY
HOME RULE
Overlapping of Effort in Com
plicated Political System
May be Replaced by Com
mission-Manager Idea.
MUST ASK ENACTMENT

Editors Note: Clarence B. Greene
search, has prepared a series of articles
on home rule for the Palladium. The
fifth follows:
The demands which a large portion
of the people in various parts of the
country are now beginning to make
for something like ordinary efficiency
and business-like methods in the con-
duct of city government have reached
a point where it is no longer wise or
prudent to belittle or ignore them.
One of the notable signs of the rap
idly growing disposition among offic-
ial representatives of the people and
other public men to be responsive to
these demands is the general tendency
to acquiesce in the suggestion that
governmental affairs be put on a more
definite and practical basis, by the
adoption of the commission-manag
form, and thus obviate those things
which mean inadequate or slipshod
methods of carrying on municipal busi-
ness, and the consequent waste of pub
lie funds.
Within a short time, if the legisla-
tors express themselves at the general
assembly as they do in private, the
dT CHI olIC Overlapping III el-
fort in complicated political system,
and the consequent waste of tax mon
ey, may be replaced here by a scheme
of government that spells efficiency,
economy, results and satisfaction.
Opportunity of Service.
The powers of the people--the vot-
ers-need to be employed sharply and
thoroughly in dealing with the evil of
fn1 NJ
ment. Nowhere else in the state is
there more of an opportunity for the
people to perform service which will
be of greater benefit to any important
mass of the population than that
which may be permitted in the nam
ing of an intelligent and outstanding
group of citizens to become the legis-
lative body for this municipality, and
the appointment by that body Of a
capable manager, or administrative
head of government.
If there is one kind of purpose more
than another which such A commission
is designed to correct or remedy in
municipal government. it is the prac-
tice of greedy politicians and incom-
petents in trying to handle the affairs
of this municipality.
The agitation which is now setting
in for a general betterment Of the pub
lie service represents not a spirit of
clamor, but an honest and legitimate
Indignation against the inefficiencies
and evils which have existed SO long
and which a forward-thinking people
consider no longer tolerable.
Must Back Law.
Let the people. therefore, take spe-
cial pains to back up the proposed law
which permits of the selection of
commission that will conduct its work
with impartial vigor and with an eye
to the ultimate and glorious purpose
of giving the taxpayers of this COM
munity popular government, and the
best possible government.
Let an intelligent and exhaustive eff
fort be made to right as far as posi-
BILE what is unquestionably a grievi
Gus public wrong-the present govern
mental system that is admitted not
the best obtainable, and that has in
sufficiently met the problems of this
community.
The commission can be, and should
be. a potent source Of action in that
respact-that is, in placing in the
hands of the people an instrument of
government that emphasizes the ele-
mental duties of officials, and forces
them to subscribe to and become a
part Of the covenant of new con
strllction.
The prime and immediate duty of
the people Of this community is to
urge our legislators to enact the law
permitting us to name a commission
that will not only select a capable
manager. but whose legislative serv-
ice will be the last word in popular
and effective government, and one
that will be worthy of our bOaSted
civilization.