The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-06-20
STRAYER OUTLINES
MAYORALITY STAND

Frank T. Strayer, who has an
nounced that he will seek the Repub-
hcan nomination for mayor, today
submitted the following statement in
explanation of his candidacy:
Il desire to make plain to the citi-
zens of Richmond why l do not be-
lieve it incumbent on me 10 give up
my candidacy for mayor in favor of
Mr.. l.. S. Bowman, who has been des-
ignated as compromise" candidate.
The only person who asked me to!
withdraw in favor of Mr.. Bowman
was Gath Freeman. In making such
request | did not understand. Mr..
Freeman was empowered to do so by
this community or by the Republican
party.
For Mr.. Bowman | have a high
personal regard, and if | were assured
that his candidacy Or the candidacy of
any other citizen had the sanction of
a majority of Republican votes of this
community, | would quickly retire
from the race, but until such time,
intend to make a vigorous fight for
the office.
clearly as anybody, and l am sure l
i have felt them more keenly than the
| others Compelled to work by the
/ circumstances of my early manhood,
did not get the education ! desired,
| but this I have sought to overcome by
reading and studying Certain traits
of character such as industry, honesty,
| fidelity, temperance, good morals and
| fY>IJt h flln IN
educated or the rich, and these | have
always sought to cultivate.
Outlines Position.
| Il did not become a candidate for
mayor because my friends urged it;
| | became such a candidate because
regard the Office as one of great honor,
and | seek the opportunity of trying to
give Richmond the best administration
it ever had.
The mayors office should not be
a mere side line TO some other bust
ness or profession l believe the hold
er of such an Office should give it his
first attention and highest concern.
IF | should be elected | would
select for the various departments the
highest type of men that could be Sc
cured for the salaries paid. For the
4
tons | would seek men of broad exper-
fence and good business judgment I
would ask men to take these places
mot for the salary paid, but, as matter
of civic duty. In departments of the
city where we already have competent
employees I would make no change, for
: II believe the faithful workman should
be rewarded by continuance in serv-
ice.
Discusses Appointments.
IT regard the light plant as the city's
most valuable asset, and believe that
its administration should be kept out
of politics. Competency and experience
should be the sole considerations in
, selecting its operating force As the
board OF works has the management
: and control of the light plant that
would be a further reason why | would
= seek men of experience for such posi-
| tons. In handling the affairs of the
light plant | would urge that the city
council be given full information con
corning the plant, and if such course
is followed | feel confident that council
will appropriate all necessary money
for the plant, and cooperate in its
management.
At present the mayor acts as police
judge. This plan saves the city money
e and | believe il should be continued
feel that my experience as practic
, ing lawyer would greatly aid me ir
performing such duties, and I would
endeavor to enlarge the work of the
: city court, thus relieving the circuit
court, which now has a very heavy
trial docket. The statutes of Indiana
permit many cases. both criminal anC
civil to be tried in the city court
which cases are now being filed in The
circuit court.
Promises to be Alert.
2 Although I do not think it proper
/ for the mayor of a city to attempt t
usurp the duties of a Commercial clut
= executive, yet I DO believe a mayor
i should constantly have in mind the
) industrial and commercial develop
T., ment of his city.
= The mayor should always be watch
: ing for a chance to bring a new enter
t prise to the city, and to keep ant
: encourage the ones We have.
He ought to watch what othe
: cities are doing and when worth Will,
] see that the same things are don
+ here. In short, if mayor. would tr-
|. to be a live wire and keep Richmond
: on the map.
C Would Enlarge Parks.
e THE welfare of our children l re
S gard as of supreme Importance. l
J. our city government would function
e properly along this line, | believe w
y could greatly aid the community we
e fare work, and eliminate part of sucl
y expense. One of my first suggestion
:. along this line would be to populariz
t our city parks. | would enlarge til
o Fairgrounds in the Glen, and put play
e grounds in other parts of the city.
# believe public bathing pools would b
n of great source.
Il Although | intend to campaign a
O hard as | know how for the nomins
ton, ! intend to indulge in no PEI
s sonalities nor throw mud. And l wan
d to ask all those who intend to wor
, for my nomination to fight it clean
v The citizens of Wayne county one
; honored me with the office of pros,
n cutting attorney, in which office I SER
# ed until entering the service. If cleo
e ed mayor l pledge to the voters {
n Richmond that | will carry out til
q duties of sucn office as faithfully as
5 did those of prosecuting attorney.
If Respectfully submitted