Evening journal., 1920-11-30
GOVERNMENT
GOOD IF Big
men DIRECT
lcontinned Prom Frst pagel

MANAGER system since 19lt
THE councilmanic form OF munlcl-
pal government" said the General
ssis a poorly functloning machine. The
wander Il not so much that il func-
tions badly as that IL functions at all.
Deficiency in city government may
he ascribed to three general causes
Lack OF civil spirit In citizens deh-
cheney in system OF form, and mate
rial deficiency.
Lack OF civic spirit" he continued,
can only be cured by Intensive cam
paigns and propaganda carried on
through the press, the schools, the
pulpit and public speakers Denclehcl
in form OF government is largely que
10 divided responsible ity, cumDersohly,
methods. frequent changes, lack OF
trained men in responsible positions, |
and too much politics.
"This deficiency, ! believe, can ne
best met by city manager form OF gov
ernmcnt, which is a close approAlma-
hon. N fully carried out OF Well
manqced business corporation Ihe
stockholders are represented by the
citizens. who elect the dir ctors,
or council. which, in turn. employs a
manager, who is head OF all depart
ments except the judicial
In Portsmouth the General OK
members. elected at large. These
members may be recalled from ofllce
any time a majority OF the voters de-
Sire Whenever - per cent. OF the
voters sign a petition for an election,
such election Is held and the major
ilv NAV uphold or GUST the council J.
men The cOuncilmon serve for only
nominal salary, and look to the city
manager TO run the city. they can,
at any lime, dismiss the city manager
and employ new one.
THUS there Is a check held by the
nponle through the Council, on the
manaeer," continued General Jervey.
I'm turn. the manager has full power
10 appoint his department heads ana
subordinates, except the courts, which
are properly left Independent OF local
political influences. BY this system,
have found. Portsmouth gets
prompt results with maximum EN-
cicncy'
General Jervey said be did not wish
20 give the impression That a city
manager form OF government Was
rheaper than other forms. us real
saving Law in its efficient operation, ne
said The departments under a city
manager, ne said, should be finance
law. public works, public safely, pup
lie welfare, and, when necessary, pun
nc utilities. Each department should
be headed by a competent specialist
removable at the will OF the manager
al was here that the general spoke o
(the large salaries paid city managers
by Virginia cities and justified then
on the ground that TO get good men
city must pay for them.
"Norfolk now has departments O
city planning and public utilities,
went on the speaker. THE member
OF Tie department OF public utiliue
comprisc the best citizens wlthOt
regard To political Affiliations an
serve practically without pay. The
have satisfactorily settled dispu
between the gas company and the ell
while the street railway situation,
now IN fair way towards fnal SETTLE
When took mp my work in Port:
mouth" the general continued,
he'd some % din rent heads OF depar
ments and sub-departments, VIII
were reporting 10 The city manager
This caused a great waste OF time.
consolidated them into four depart
menis. with a director at the head q
each. and they now are functionin
with Increasing smoothness. We hOl
conferences weekly. also Inspections
"Al our purchasing has been cor
rN.I|INN"NA MNANN MAAA NN'" AN NAiNA ~ AN'
noing done on a competitive b0Sl
l.arge SAY wings have been effected
buying supplies and we are planlir
% erect a city siorehouse. We giN
fullest publicity 90 an our acts an
have "a civil service law for ali en-
uI0vfs and a retirement law nor
police and fr men VAL be enacted
The coming year"
Taking up the financial system OF
CITY mlnager form o. gOvernme1
General Iervey said In part:
Finances can be Eot in pnoT
share only by inst tuting a bud.
system and sticking 10 t. Currl
revenue should be used only FOR a
rent expenses. All permanent
provnnents should be provided for
bond issue. provision being made
rayinc bonds dur ne life Of the
pr0yements 70 Is fatal in a pecuni
s nSc tl use proceeds Of bond iss
for current expenses"
Summarizing the aitribiNes Of
city manager system, General Jer
said the essentials of any good s
ernmeni We're Intelligence. order
justice. "lntelligence," ," Pc added. ''
To be obtained by choosing pro
men. free from political influence.
payment Of liberal salaries. The
aries viii be saved many times
honest and efficient adminlstratio
"Order viii be obtained through
efficient police department by av
inc unnecessary laws and by
cr7i education OF the public 20
enect the law To oDtain jus
tha Judges must be assured per
nnt tenure OF ofllce. free from %
cal influence and so Wen paid a.
remove worry as 20 their meant
livelihood.
ut will be very diflcult," the
eral concluded. TO educate the
ple OF your city 10 the advant
Of the city manager form OF
ornment. Many excuses VIII be
vanced. These should be met
argument and propaganda.
Lord Kitchener once sent a "
officer on a very difficult task.
officer returned with the task u
complished. but gave excellent
cuses. Kitchener listened paiie
and then said Young man. your
cuses are the best I ever heard.
now go and do what told ,
Cons quently. In spite Of all ex,
and all obstacles. a campaign
city manager form Of govern
should be continued and will
maiely meet with success"
The General was given a rising
OF thanks by the Chamber Of
merce and its guests for his addr
HE DIDN'T WANT
ORTLAND-"Yourre here en-
too often" the Judge told a ha
drunk. Il don't conn OF my ov
cord-the officer brings me a
vr,x- will - WAS the rpnlv