Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-04-13
STAND
ON DUTIES OF
MAYOR STATED
Democratic Candidate for
First Office Announces
Comprehensive Platform.
FOR CITY BEAUTIFUL

udLe Tor the nomination OF DdgoEs III HIS
platform issued today, takes a stand for
eetter streets, a "city beautiful" and
pledges himself, If elected, TO Danish sec
tionalism from the conduct Of municipal
affairs
Mr. Perkins platform is as follows:
"As candidate for the nomination for
mayor on the Democratic ticket, subject
to the primaries, May 3, l herewith sub
init my views on the duties Of the office.
In this connection I wish to make 1t as
plain as language can make IL, that If
nominated and elected the platform here
submitted will be adhered to in letter
and In spirit. I want no one to support
my candidacy IN the primaries under
misapprenension. To be mayor of the
city of indianapolis is an honor that
any one might well covet But to secure
that honor under Misrepresentation or to
fail in the performance OF those things
promised, If humanity possible to con-
summate, would be to weaken faith in
our system OF government and invite
other experiments. Political promises
should not be lightly made. but when
made should be redeemed. I believe thor
oughly In the plan of government under
which this city now operates. With Its
system of checks and balances the citi-
zens should receive in return for the
confidence they have reposed in their Of
, fctals all that the most insistent could
ssk-safety in person and property, and
the right to live their lives freely, IN
hsmpered by anything other than those
rules to which all good citizens subscribe.
If nominated and elected the policy of
the administration would be:
SENSIBLE AND NOT
FICTITIOUS ECONOMY"
Il. In the administration of the city's
affairs there must be a policy of sem
Eible and not fictitious economy compati-
the city. THE city beautiful should
ever be kept in mind, but the relation
ship between expenditures and income
should be given due consideration
80 All appointments should be made
because of fitness and not for political
reasons. No Unnecessary employees
should be retained and labor performed
should be commensurate with the pay re-
ceived. This is a government of parties,
and so long as 1t so remains party or
ganization will be necessary. 1t fol-
lows as a sequence that party response
bility and party control are at one The
Democratic party Offers the means
through which the electorate NAV act in
securing those things essential TO the
city's betterment. and if intrusted with
power that party will measure up to its
responsibilities.
AS HE VIEWS
DUTIES OF MAYOR
%. The duties-of the mayor are both
&RHecutive and administrative. In his
s.z@lSiaI capacity the mayor represents all
~ Ea@s. regardless of position in life,
~ citizen is entitled TO and should
~Seive equal and impartial treatment at
Sthe hands of their chosen officials. Sec
tionaGsm should in no wise enter into
the conduct Of municipal business. Every
portion Of the city should be viewed
alike.
- The duty Of the executive is to see
that the laws and ordinances governing
the city are enforced. There can be no
middle ground in the enforcement Of law
har
not enfoced. Law observance and Ameri-
canism-goOd citizenship-are synOnO-
nous. The great majority of our clti-
zens are law abiding. Certain elements
refuse to conform 10 the rules and com.
pulsion becomes necessary. The duty Of
the mayor is to enforce law as It is
enacted by the legislative branch Of gov
eminent. Crime should be suppressed
and the city at all times made safe for
all citizens.
% The police must under any and all
circumstances enforce the law and main
tain order. No policeman can owe al
legianee to two masters and no influence
other than that OF his sworn duty can
be tolerated Promotion In the depart
ment should be based on efficient serv-
ice, not faVOritism, and no officer should
be denoted for performance OF duty.
Politics should have 60 part in the con
duct Of the police department.
EON-PoLITICAL
FIRE NDEPARTMENT.
fss,se fire department should be kept
at - highest degree of efficiency and
It's Sagement should at all times be
Tree from political influence Of every
character Efforts at fire prevention
should be carried out to the fullest ex-
tent possible.
-. Only representative and qualified
citizens should be appointed to municipal
boards. Under our system OF municipal
government the executive branch OF the
city administration functions through
its boards. and these should be- com
posed of citizens who fully measure up
to the responsibilities thereof To OBJ
tain the best results for the city there
must be harmonious relations between
the executive and the council.
IS. Public utilities are essential to the
life and development of the city. The
public is essential to the life and develop
naent Of the public utilities. Under the
Nav each has its rights and each has
its duties. Each must be fair and honest
IN the observance Of its obligations, equal
with its demand for recognition Of its
FOR IMMEDIATE
STREET REPAIRS.
20. The streets OF a city are the after
les of its commercial and social life and
should at all tiL,es be kept In proper
repair. system should be established
whereby repairs would be made In
mediately on necessity arising, to the
end that inconvenience should not
~eventuate and costs Of repair be in
creased. The safety and health Of the
people are of first importance. There
must be no false economy in promoting
all measures looking to the greatest
efficiency in those departments in
trusted with watching these phases Of
our citys life.
10. The city administration should be
neither obligated to nor dominated by
any influence, whether it be individual
or collective, social, commercial, indus
trial, sectional OF racial. The city should
function only in conformity with statu-
tory enactment construed In the light of
our American thought-"equal and exact
justice to ell; special privilege to none"