Pueblo chieftain., 1921-05-22
Change In the City Government

The Chieftan invites special attention to
munication printed another page from we'll known
citizen of Pueblo concerning the proposed change in the
city government The people of Pueblo have learned to
have moreshan ordinary confidence in the judgment of
Mr.. Asbury White in public affairs, and his present
letter will doubtless receive the general attention that
fully deserves.
Mr.. White undoubtedly voices the present sen-
mcnt of the majority of the people of Pueblo SO
far they convinced that change to the city
manager plan desirable at the present time and under
the present conditions On the other hand they have
reached a final decision adverse to the plan, but
they feel that the burden of proof upon those who
propose change, and that change should not be
made unless be clearly shown that change would
be beneficial So far, this has not been done.
1t is true, Mr.. White says. that the point of
greatest Importance that the efficiency of any form
elected to put the plan into execution 1t is not suff-
ccnt, therefore, for the advocates of the proposed
change to that offers opportunity for bet
government That is also of the present sys-
lem: it offers opportunity for better government
than this city has. But the probability is that under
the commission plan have it the city govern
will be neither very much worse, very much
The main doubt in the minds of the people who
understand the City Manager plan for Pueblo is whether
it will be possible to obtain the sort of man As City
Manager who is required TO make that plan n success
The Commission plan probably gets the best pos
sblc results from the of commissioners Pueblo has
had since that plan went into effect taking them all
they have come good and not good II provides for
getting much possible out of the good men, and it
also provides for limiting the power of those officials
interests.
The argument in favor of the City Manager plan is
that it will enable man of superior ability 10 get
results that cannot be bad under the present plan
Admitting that this is true, the important question is
how can we know that will get of this kind!
Will the people of Pueblo he willing to pay of the
city treasury the salary necessary TO get competent
city managcr7 Will it he possible to get u competent
City Manager for The amount the people of Pueblo will
be willing to pay for that scrvicc7
Arc the people of Pueblo willing to cntrust 10 the
named in the charter amendment. a board of
directors, the duty of choosing such City Manager
is necessary for tho successful operation of this plan
If they not, then the plan should not be adopted
because if the City Manager is not competent, if he
is not sincerely devoted to the plan of running tho city
upon a business basis. the plan will not he success
And if the City Manager is not competent il he is
sincerely devoted to the cys interest if he plays
politics. favors special interests undertakes to
build up personal partisan machine then all those
provisions of the plan that designed to the City
Manager free hand and to release him from political
personal pull and Interference will operate to the
disadv vantage of The people, and protect the City Man
and his allies so long he is able TO hold the favor
of enough c6uncmcn 10 prevent his removal
In his letter Mr. White emphasizes the Importance
of full knowledge by the people before any change is
made. In this, in the other parts of his letter, bo
wholly right.