Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-02
gutenberg URGES
C|TY-MANkGER IDEA
u..d of Research Bureau Would
Lodge All Legislative Power
in Commission
70 END "DEADL0CKlNG"

. c;tv manager for Philndelnhia. to
-, rrder a small commission and di-
90, tbo administrative functions Of the
,,un;c 'itv was proposed today by
FrederIck p. Gutenberg, director Of the
ppreau Of Municipal Research.
r Gruenbcrg's proposal was evoked
~ the editorial of Monday in the
EVENING PUBL1c LEDGER, which
ro,rtcd to the necessity of change in
,be present system of government for
philadelphia, and also by Mayor
Moore's suggestion Of commission as
method of riidng the city of the
desdlocklng between the city Admins
tration and the Combine controlled
Council.
incidentally, the editorial and the
Mayors suggestion aroused widespread
discussion. Some Of those who worked
FOR the enactment of the new City Char
Ter urged that this instrument be given
A longer trial before a change is made.
This much Is certain, independents and
organization men have begun to think
about the subject in preparation for
the next session of the Legislature,
which may be called on 10 change the
form Of the Philadelphia City Govern
ment.
Varieties Are Satisfied
While independents generally plan
10 think II over" Organization lead
ers, headed by Senator Ware fatty
doubt the need for any change. They are
satisfied with the present situation.
The Ware point Of view was set forth in
these words: THE commission form of
government does not do very well in
small towns, to say nothing Of what
would happen in big city like phila
delphia. Besides. it provides no check
ss does the present system where Coun-
ell checks the Mayor and the Mayor
checks Council"
Mr.. Gruenbcrg. however, was en-
thusiastic over the city manager plan.
The city manager, exp aimed Mr..
Gruenburg. would be like the production
manager of an industrial plant. lie
would get results for the commission
representing the taxpayers Just as the
production manager gets results for the
board Of directors representing the
stockholders.
"The commission form Of government.
pure and simp,e,' said Mr.. Gutenberg,
lis not regarded as successful. The leg
islative body should not handle the ad-
ministrative details. This body should
select experts to wOr; ont these de-
tails. No legislative body should d.
vide among itself the functions Of the
administration.
Expert Manager Needed
1.-THE better plan Is TO have n city
manager working under the commission.
He should be q technical man, equipped
10 manage and direct the engineering
sad adm illustrative functions. The
commission should map out the brond
policies and provide the funds the tech
nician should work out the details. The
indefinite tenure and should be free to
appoint his departmental heads and
other employees, under, Of course. civil
service system, freed from politics.
These employees should be answeruble to
the city manager and not to the COM
mission or Legislative body"
Mr. Gutenberg explained that the
city manager she d be-, virtually,
permanent emp - NOlulIk once
throughout good behavior, irrespective
Of changes in the legislative body or
comm 'ssion. This would insure a con-
tinuity Of lnlniStrative policy and
program and divorce the city business
from changing politics.
lie was asked if politics could not
be introduced under the city manager
BY reason Of pressure from th" com-
mission. Mr.. Gutenberg said he felt
that the public spotlight would BE- di.
lrected 30 cOnspiCuously Oh the city
manager and all lis work and actions
(that the politicians would not dare.
unless they were utterly regardless Of
public opinion, to try force political
action.
=, 1.-Two hundred and thirty cities IL
The United States" sad Director
Gutenberg, ''have the clty-manager
system. Dayton, O., Is one of them.
Sacramento, Calif., has just adopted
the system. Cleveland, large city, Is
now considering the plan"
Councilman James A. Dcyelin, In
dependent, was of the opinion that the
matter OF modern and efficient gov
eminent was one for the people to de-
office.
a. We come back" said Mr.. Develin.
70 the old question; IL is matter
Vi men and not Of machinery"
Thomas RaCburn White, chairman Of
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