South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-20
SEEBIRT NOW IN
DEFINITE STAND
ON CITY MANAGER
Tells Auditors to Adopt New
Government Form If
They Desire Ii.

In connection with his continued
attack on Mayor Carson. Eli r. See
brit. republican candidate for mayor.
took a definite stand last night on
the city manager form Of govern
ment. Mr.. seebirt addressed ward
meetings at the Franklin and Elder
schools
Concerning the commission form
Of government Mr.. Seebirt said:
There are doubtless many in this
audience who have signed the city
manager petition for an election as
70 whether South Bend shall change
20 that form of government feel
that the reason for many Of these
signatures is that the signers are be-
coming impatient at the present ex-
listing conditions both from the
moral and business welfare of our
city. I suspect that the feeling orig
mates in order TO get away from the
present evils flourishing under the
present administration.
Don't Care for Job.
When 1 was first urged TO. run
for this Office I was reluctant 10 en-
F.
be far easier for me to return home
in the evening to my own fireside
and my family without the burdens
of the city taxing my leisure hours
in the event / was elected But
these friends were insistent that
man has more than a duty TO his
city than just 10 live in it. They
said he must serve to the best OF his
capacity. that it is due the people.
Il do not care about this job as
mayor. 1 was not anxious to make
the race. but if 1 can be of service
10 you. I'll give you the best admin
istration that 1 can. and I am not
Indifferent 10 the responsibilities Of
the office.
"If you want to adopt the com
| mission manager form. L say adopt
I It. If you feel that IL is more vital
I and necessary to the welfare OF the
city, 1 say by all means adopt it.
But I would earnestly inplore you
I to see the new form in all its ramifi-
/ cations, to examine it thoroughly
and carefully before you sweep aside
| the form If government which South
Bend has used for the past So years.
I ] am only too glad to abide by your
/ decision.
Need Two-Ffsted Mayor, says
Here's another thought to re-
I member. You can't wipe out all
existing evils by going down TO the
legislature and expecting the passage
OF a bill that will wipe out all exist
\ ing evils by changing the form OF
your government You can't
change the form of your govern
ment and then go to sleep on the job
If you would correct these condi-
tiOns.
Il believe that it is the man in the
office. not the form of government.
that will correct these exils. l re-
peat that it is vitality necessary TO
have a man in the Office. a two-fisted
man to deal with the problems of
our government today. no matter
what the form may be.
Il heard some talk OF a woman
running for mayor. other women
came TO me and said You are not
going to turn over this serious prob
lem of cleaning up our city's filth
and muck to a woman at this time
What we need is a man Of courage
and conviction 1t would be unfair
TO ask any woman to try to run the
city, for conditions are such that it
requires the services Of a man, es-
pcially at this time,
w w. Ridenour addressed a meet
ing at the Colfax school last night
in the interest of his candidacy for
the Republican mayoralty nomina-
tfOn