The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-11-24

Many volumes have been published
and hundreds of columns of newspa-
per space consumed in recording the
testimony of students and officials as
to the merits of commission-manager
government in operation. There are
comparatively, only a few dissenting
voices to the general conclusion that
towns and cities which have adopted
the plan have found it a vast improve
ment over the government which it
supplanted.
Intimate study and observance Of
commlsslon-mana government un-
deniably support the claim that it
, leads to official effort to render more
and better service. In addition, it is
more responsive to the demands of
the people. UnQuestionably, under
the commission-manager system, there
is greater capacity for getting things
done. The records of all commission
manager governed cities show de-
cided quickening of official activity
Immediately following the adoption of
the plan. Students of government all
over the country attest this fact.
Gives Better Rule.
There is not, however, the outward
show of efficiency that all ardent ad-
vOcates Of the system claim for it, be-
cause, it must be remembered, there
is much of the routine in municipal
administration. But it's superiority to
the old processes of government forces
the absolute conclusion that where
towns and cities are badly or ineffic-
iently governed the people may obtain
! better government by adopting the
ommission-manage plan.
While one may find in some places
a pronounced dissent from the claim
that commission-manager government
means better government. yet that op-
position generally develops on the
academic ground that, because the
commissioners are elected at large,
and the manager appointed, the sys-
tenn deprives sections of the commun-
ity of adequate representation on the
legislative and administrative body. I
Though the election of commission
ers at large is a fundamental part of
the plan, it is not a recent innovation,
/ because some ron-commission-man
er governed cities have successfully en-
ployed the system.
Work For Whole CITY,
The advantages accruing from the
plan of electing commissioners at
| large can best be expressed in the in
disputable claim that it unifies the
/ political organism by abolishing the
ward system, and requires the COM
missioners to take care of the needs
of all parts of the community. In
other words. each commissioner works
for the whole city, rather than for
particular section. as under the old
! councilmanic scheme
RnpnrtC SuhCt ptiafo5 nv inono ri ~
investigation in many cities. indicate
a distinct effort on the part of the
| commissioners to conduct municipal
affairs along business lines. The plan
also brings to the fore greater num-
Der of men who feel responsible for
! getting results. 1t also eliminates the
! frequently too conspicuous and over.
burdened mayor, because responsible
! ity and cOnSpicuOuSncSS are shared.
Further, it substitutes the single leg
islative mastership Of the electorate
| for a mastery divided beween a group
of men who are determined to es-
tablish a record that will meet with
/ the approval of the vast majority CT
the people. In other words, the plan
emphasizes the desire of officials to
render efficient and satisfactory leg,
| islative service. And this desire is
| prompted by the TACT that the commits.
| sioners are adequately paid for their
| labors, through the effective admin
! istrative results secured by the man,
ager. This compensation comes in the
| form of satisfaction accruing from OF
| fective service to their city and all its
! inhabitants.
Proves Desirability.
Commission manager government,
except in isolated Instances where,
! through lapse of citizen interest, pol
! iticians have gained control is in the
| advantageous position of showing
| marked improvement over slovenly
! and admittedly unsuccessful predeces-
| sor, the loosely organized government
| by mayor and council and in some
| instances over commission govern
Continued on Page Twelve)