South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-11-19
NOVEMBER I9, 1920.
AN OPEN FIELD FOR WOMEN IN NUM-
CIPAL CRAFTSMANSHIP.

Non-Partisan leagues have performed great
service more than once in the publication of Amer
lean cities They have more than once performed
similar service in the promotion of municipal
nomy. The on-Partisan league, fundamentally az
least has it's ideal. the public Service, a rule,
and generally received inspiration by peo-
pie who think OF communities in the light of large
families with affairs to be sociologcally admins
tered rather than as business corporations TO b.
administered for private gain.
With the coming OF the ballot to American
en- here is a line Of service that they can under
take and holding large balance Of power in the
community, pretty force the hand Of any poll
teal party, and compel it to do the public wills
serving the community FIRST Meu have done II
with but mere handful Of them devoted the
task; that is, they have done it on occasions. II
American voraen are to measure up anywhere
what thl advocates of suffrage have anticipated
Tor them. here is their fort let them take
We believe It is 4 mighty good time now with
the coming OF the ballot 70 women, TO revive the
movement for non-partisan commission government
The saloons are gone. That old thorne in the flesh
Of municipal politics has been removed. The sore
IS still there but it viii with years After
another campaign or so what is known as the
wet and dry" vOte-the "spotless town
the open town" votc.--wiI have vanished. The
government Of cities will then revert to its proper
sphere; that OF making community life worth the
while. Instead OF debating through each campaign
how this man or that man will respect the law
with reference 10 the accommodation Of thirsty
"sots," attention will be given to our educational
life. the public health. the city beautiful" if YOU
please with larger reference to the maintenance
streets. lighting system our parks and other
agencies of public enjoyment and convenience
Why then, not alone the non-partisan COM
mission government but farther, adopt the city
manager plan? Get the city of politics far
as possible. why have a city father" and like
SO many good children over to him, the direc-
ton OF the municipal family. Perhaps the idea is
somewhat fanciful. but a number of cities have
IT. and have heard none of them goins
back; tried to the extent of the city manager"
plan least. Under such a system. when things
40 wrong you know who to point your fnge, at.
II isn't hide and 60 seek system such az we are
operating under now.
There Is an opportunity here for some construc-
tive craftsmanship a good thing 10 be taken up by
session OF tho legislature TO consider that
H. If the party in power does not regard itself
well entrenched thar IS need not and does not pro-
pose let go any of the rens 1t might be a good
topic for the consideration Of the League of Women
Voters say in connection with the program it is
outlining for womans civic league let them take
@ 20 all the women in the state and get those OF
other cities interested in the MISREPRESENTATION of
our municipal life As a non partisan organization.
such as is proposed. here is system for which they
work and work to the very limit of non par
tsan election Of the city commissioners and the
employment of city manager" exclusively
merit maintain their non partisanshp to the Bit
ter end.-bitter for the politicians.
we mention it n passing; that all. II is only
suggestion-offered with full faith fin the eff
cacy OF such achiev ement. why not? Answer it
yourself.