The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-07-17
PUBLIC IS NOT
PLEASED With
CITY'S AFFAIRS
Administration Comes in For
Much Criticism in Past Few
Weeks-Non-Partisan Move
Started.
Want BUSINESS MAYOR

Public interest in municipal affairs
the failure of the city council to make
an adequate appropriation for essen
tial improvements at the municipal
plant and by the action Of Mayor Zim-
norman In absenting himself from his
official duties for 80 days, which has
brought up the question of whether
the city will have a responsible direct
ing head during that period.
Judging from criticisms made by
numerous citizens in every walk of life
there Is wide dissatisfaction with the
way the affairs of the city government,
which is Richmonds largest business
enterprise, are being conducted.
Statements made by a number of
Richmond people who have been inter
viewed the past few days indicate that
as a protest against the methods of
the present municipal administration
there is a well defined movement on
foot for the organization of non
partisan ticket, to be headed by man
of recognized business ability who can
command popular support as candidate
for mayor.
Take 1t Away From Parties.
Il believe it is going to be neces-
sary to get behind some movement
which will take the conduct of mu-
nicipal affairs out of partisan politics."
said one well known business man
who, incidentally, is an active Repub-
hcan worker.
"As far as I am concerned, and
know my views are shared by hum
1reds of citizens, it makes very little
difference whether the mayor and the
other city officials are Republicans or
Democrats.
If our city officials are intelligent,
responsible men Of affairs what differ
ence does 1t make what their politics
are? l have been talking to number
OF men, business men, clerks and
factory workers and they are all dis
pleased with the present administra-
ton.
Furthermore they believe that DR..
Zimmerman has an excellent chance
of securing the Republican mayoralty
nomination again at the primary cleo
ton next spring for the reason that
three other candidates are already in
the field against him.
Or. Zimmerman Loses Popularity?
1t Is the opinion of those with whom
have talked that DR.. Zimmerman is
not as strong a political factor as he
was several years ago.
Public and private acts of the mayor
in recent months have done much to
reduce his following, it is believed.
But it is the opinion Of those who
have discussed the question that the
mayor still commands a sufficient fol-
lowing to capture the Republican nom-
ination again if two or more candi-
dates enter the field against him."
"The truth is that the form of gov
ernment the state provides for it's
municipalities is antiquated. to say
the least" continued the spokesman
for the organization of non-partison
ticket.
"The present political governing
system for cities places a premium on
incompetency and wastefulness. The
case of the city of Richmond aptly
illustrates that fact. There is regu-
lar session of the legislature the first
of next week.
Hope for City Manager Plan
ut Is the hope of many Richmond
citizens that the state lawmakers will
give Indiana municipalities the author
fly to establish the modern form of
city government-some form of the
commission system, preferably the
city manager plan, which has worked
out so successfully in two neighboring
Ohio cities, Dayton and Springfield.
'In the event the legislature does
not provide such relief, and In the
event that satisfactory Republican
municipal ticket is not nominated next
spring / feel confident in predicting
that hundreds of protesting taxpayers
will meet the situation by putting in
the field non-partisan ticket which
can guarantee the citizens a genuine
business administration of municipal
affairs