Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-09-15
RADICAL
CHANGES
SOUGHT


merits or shortcomings at th'
present time would be difficult
That proposals for radical change
In the city's government, however
will be presented to the people
through the ballot at the mex
special or general election is held
certain.
Utter Behind Move.
DIR. F. L. Utter, who was the
impelling force behind the orig
inal move for a change In city
government, declared himself as
favoring the seven aldermen plan.
Residents of the city, he felt, wish
a representative from their respec-
tive wards with whom they may
discuss their problems.
Seven aldermen, prominent fig
ures In the council, who were in
terviewed today, expressed them
selves as favoring the commission
form OF government and all de-
clared that the city should be
managed by small group Of eff
cient, well paid men. All OF the
nine aldermen who we're question
ed declared they believed that the
chief OF police ought TO be ap-
pointed by the mayor, rather than
be elected by the people. s'
Mayor Gives Views.
Following are the high lights In
statements made by the mayor and
those councilmen who could be
located:
Mayor George e. Halvorsen--I
favor the commission form of gov
einment and believe that the chief
OF police should be appointed by
the mayor. OF course details of
the proposed changes would neces-
sarily be considered very careful
ly.
Ralph Thompson, chairman of
the police committee would
favor either the commission form,
or the seven aldermen plan over
the present system, and / think
the chief OF police should be
named by the mayor In this way
the chief would be responsible to
the mayor who, in turn, would be
responsible to the people.
Marcus for Commission.
A. f. Marcus, member of the
police committee wouldn't con-
slider the seven aldermen proposi-
tion, but I'll cast my vote for the
commission form of government.
That way we'll get efficiency
something we don't have at the
present time. without doubt the
mayor should be permitted to ap-
point the chief of police. That
would tend to insure harmony in
all cases.
John Giesy, Of the police com
mittee--Although our present re-
lations with the chief Of police,
have been highly satisfactory, II
believe that the office should be
one under the control Of the may
or and | would support such a
change. l also favor the commits
sion form of government, but II
we are to have a council, do not
favor lessening the number of
Often one councilman
will be out of town, and as re-
suit the other aldermen may take
care OF the business in his ward.
] think 1t would be big mistake
to reduce the number Of alder
men.
Inefficiency Charged. {
Joseph Baumgartner--The COM !
form of governments the !
thing. The main thing is to get !
some efficiency, somewhere. I'm ;
der the present system it is utter
" impossible to hold any one re- q
sponsible for anything, and 1t is =
very difficult to trace errors to :
heir source. Right now there Is :
approximately $1,000 out on un- a
,aid street assessments which we =
ire trying to get. Also, believe !,
he chief Of police should be ap- y
!,
Carl Pope-To my mind, the !
commission government is the :.
My satisfactory one. True, It a.
night be well to have an advisory =,
small one which would y
ieet at infreQuent intervals. The :,
hief of police ought to work un-
er the mayors office.
Combination Frowned On. .,
George Wenderoth-I think the -
hief OF police ought TO be named a.
y the mayor and, with certain !,
might favor the com 0
lission form Of government. / do !,
OF believe that the offices OF the =
Ity treasurer and city recorder g.
Duld be combined satisfactorily. "
Ed Schunke-I haven't given
he matter sufficient consideration
, be in a position to speak. | .,
mink It unlikely that a cheaper a
,rm Of government will be dis =.
,yered. however. =. ~
Patton for Manager. se
Hal Patton-lm for the city =,
anager. think a city man n
ger. who could hire efficient EN- -,
Dyes and place them at the %
ork to which they are fitted. -,
Guild save the city large sums OF -
oney. Our present chief Of po- !
e has accomplished wonders and