Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-04-02
ATTACK ON COMMISSION MANAGER
FORM IS ANSWERED BY CALLAWAY
Declares Objections, Voiced by Citizens Labor Club
Based Upon Misconception Of Plan Which Is
Representative and Closer to People Than Pres
ent Method.

In its opposition to the commission
manager form of city government the
Citizens Labor club fails to distinguish
between the legislative function OF gov.
ern and its administrative functions.
So remarked Judge l.. l.. Galloway,
commenting on circular addressed by
the club ito all voters" in the city. Judge
Galloway, member of the citizens com com
mittee advocating the change, has been
giving good deal Of study to the work
ings of the managerial system elsewhere
aud the commissions manager law u.
Montana. Commenting he said:
The circular letter addressed to all
voters circulated and paid for by the
Citizens labor club, is a misconception
of the theory Of American government,
and m;sstatement of the facts as to
what the law of Montana prescribes
respecting the commission manager form
of city government. In the first place,
it is not an autocratic form Of govern
ment, but on the contrary, is represen-
tGtive democratic form of government.
Close to People.
''The club fails to d stinguish between
the legislative functions Of government
and it's administrative functions. Lexis-
lative functions should always be kept
sclose to the people as possible. while
administrative functions should be dis
tant from them: in other words, peo-
pie ought to make the laws, but the laws
should be in the hands Of those who
shall administer them without fear or
favor for the benefit Of all. Pull must
be eliminated, if we are to have goo'1
government.
''The law provides that the commits
sioners must own real estate situated i'll
the city of an assessed value Of not
less than 81 1000. This the club OBJ
jects to. Under the present form of
government no person is eligible to the
office Of alderman. unless he shall be
a taxpaying free holder within the limits
to object to this. Both laws COM
template that floaters shall not govern
our city. No one shall be put in the
representative position of commissioner
unless he is identf cd with the city and
makes his home here.
Carpet Baggers Barred.
"Ary resident of the city owning his
own home would be eligible to the posi-
.tion of commissioner. 1t is understood
that all the candidates for alderman at
the present election would be qualified
to serve as commissioners under the
property holding provision of the law.
There probably never mas been an alder
nan in Great Falls who was not so
qualified. We do not want any carpet
bagxers who may leave on the next
train--to make our laws for US.
''The argument that the term of com
missionccs is too long seems rather child
ish when it is understood that the com
missioners are to be elected from our
citizens just as the aldermen are elected
The aldermen hold Office two years. Is
it simply the length Of time the club
objects to: BY the same argument
would any sane business nan hire an
untried men and give him control Of
his business for two years?
Recall Is Effective.
''The city manager is simply a hired
man. with an indefinite tenure, who may
be discharged at any time when his
services are unsatisfactory. The recall
has proved effective in other cities. and
will prove effective in this. It has not
taken six months to obtain the neccH-
sary signatures to the petitions here. As
Ii matter of fact. they were not put in
circulation until January.
''Iney were circulated by few
volunteers without organization An Or
ganized body such as the club apparently
is. could have obtained them in ten days
with ease.
1.-The purpose of the act is to get
away from government bv professional
politicians. Any number Of persons may
contend for nomination as commissioner,
but where there are but three to elect.
six only can be nominated. and them
three will be elected by majority vote.
They are prohibited from running under
any party designation. and there will not
be any politics about it.
The commissioners do not hire any
city employees. they do not let any city
contracts. they do not buy or sell any
cty supplies-the clubs statement to
the contrary notwithstanding. The com