Evening journal., 1921-02-25
CITY MANAGER
SUITS DODDS
Expert Tells Women Plan
is Better Than Commits
sion Form
WANTS MEN OF
ABILITY TO DIRECT

n. w. Dodds. secretary OF the Ma
tionai Municipal League, OF New
York City. in his address last even
ing to the Republican women Of
this city. in odd Fellows Hall,
Tenth and King streets. declared the
commission form OF government is
far better than the present form OF
wilmington government but in his
opinion inferior to the straight out
and-out manager form.
There were present about 70 Re-
publican women OF this city. The
meeting was arranged by the Repub-
iican Women's City Committee, and
was presided over by Mrs. Donald 5.
Ashbrook, city chairman.
In his address. Mr.. Dodds said In
mart. There is more and more
talk these days regarding city gov
ernmcnt. and ways OF improving it.
This is caused by the growing eN-
rensiveness OF city government re-
sulting in high taxes and burdens to
tho people. There is much talk OF
economy. hut most economy sugges-
tions are valueiess. and prove OF no
benefit after being put into appli-
cation"
ITO have a free government" he
said. 'it is necessary that It reflect
the wishes Of the people. and then
10 have an adequate organization to
carry out those wishes. to put them
into action. Sometimes we hear
that city councils do not do this
They reflect the wishes OF the people
but they do not carry out those
wishes. The government OF most
American cities has fallen down on
this point
The American form Of municipal
government was for years the
laughing stock OF the world. II was
complex AT first the cities OF this
country were governed after the
English fashion. They had complex
powers Al their head. and II any
thirr- went wrong. Il was difficult to
md the person responsible. The
city OF Galveston started the move
rient towards the simplifcation Of
s.sry government At the time OF the
food the city was greatly in debt.
. nd after the food. was practically
bankrupt going into practical re-
Crtzrership- The state appointed
uaSsser 20 take hold OF the city and
20 run n. which was the first step
in ths dsEeloprnent OF efficient and
ccorunxnic government
N speaking OF the difference
rnc=n be<veen a Mayor elected by
rhe nzzjorsty OF the people as a po-
hocsl favorite. and a manager ap-
. 1,oin1od beo4uss OF his business ex-
peoence. Nr- Doduds sid. The aver
-rs Mayor wfaa elec1ed as a politi-
cal fea6er does not have directing
kor managerial ability. whereas a city
k1rsnaEer has made a study Of this
work and knows what TO do and
s~hzt not To % TIE people never
were nor never vii be atie 70 elect
"a EAyor Wrfo has the ability Of a
! city n1zunEe<. because often most
Afsyurs come from some other line
of work-- g
AZ tD the conn tszzion government.
1ir. Doods BAid that sooner or later
sbe ennzukzioaers VIII start quar-
rating a<nang theEnsslves- They viii
oo< aErss on certain points and
wfn fntar1ers In the workings Of the
s@<sous departments Of government
TIE Amer5cAn people. he warned.
mus ieArn % divorce politics from
murscipal administration. as they
never VIII GO the highest calibre Of
men 20 take the ofices until there is
sor1e guarantee that their position
ElH Be- permanent
= nrTaIr IA
vhen discussing some form Of gov
srnnent similar 10 the city manager
or commission forms. assert that II
r. too much OF a one-man sv~-rn-
nent" and IS too Prussianized.
This, Mr. Dodds said. Is a mistaken
new 10 take OF L. IL does provide
for a one-man government along
some lines. but that one man doe
Dod have unlimited authority. IL
is responsible 10 the people. which
s much different from the PrussiaF
form. where the rulers were able e
do as they pleased without rejecting
the wishes Of the people.
In the proposed Wilmington char,
ter. Mr. Dodds pointed out. there i
an effort 10 provide for a commits
sion form OF government and a city
manager also, but inasmuch as tbs
charter gives practically all fh'
power To the commissioners. he see.
no use for the city manager being
mcnti0ned in the bill al all.
In answering questions following
his address. Mr.. Dodds said h'
would prefer to have the city gov
ernment free in all respects from
the state. would have the pay o.
the commissioners raised from 5000
a year as it would be impossible e
attract the men of ability at tha
salary, and would prefer 10 have al
elimination primary before the regu
lar election, TO narrow the numbe
OF candidates down TO just twic
the number of Offices to hll. In thi
way. he said, each man would b
assured Of having the fullest sup
port Of the people instead OF possl
bly, being elected on the vote of one
third or less Of the voters.
WOMEN ENDORSE CHARTEI
At meeting Of the Business an