Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-05-15
PUBLIC ASKED TO
DISCUSS CHANGE
IN FRIENDLINESS
w. M. Jones, Committee Chair
man, Says People Fail To
Realize Situation

A mass meeting of citizens OF
Americus to consider the proposal TO
change the present form of govern
ment of the City Of Americus to the
commission n-manager form will be
held at the city hall at 7:45 o'clock
Tuesday evening. The call was made
today by w. NJ. Jones, who was chair
man of the citizens committee which
considered the same subject year
ago. Mr.. Jones said he had been
asked by several members Of the
city council and a number Of citizens
to arrange for such meeting, and
was doing So in an effort to learn
the wishes of the public on the sub
ject.
1--WE want this to be a meeting
held in fairness and friendliness,
without any disposition to criticise or
jump onto anybody, and with the
sole object of discussing what is best
for the interests Of the city," said
he. I'VE want the same spirit to
prevail at that meeting as prevails
in our civic clubs, where men meet
together, face to face, and discuss
matters in a frank and friendly way
with the purpose of getting ideas and
forming intelligent opinions.
81 have had discussion with May
or Sheppard this morning on the sub
ject. | went to his office to arrange
for securing the city hall and he
readily granted permission for its
use. While there we discussed the
city's situation. He showed me from
the auditors report that much money
which has gone to increase the city's
floating debt has been spent on pub
lie improvements, such as purchasing
the Playground for some $1,000,
installing new equipment at the
pumping stationYzAt .y-za4f4-ef which
are assets of the city existing today,
but which should have been financed
by bond money | told him want
ed him to be on hand with this and
other information he has. 1t was a
mistake in financing and has tended
to greatly increase the city's trou-
bles, but ! feel it was the system
which was largely to blame, rather
than the administration. At any
rate, criticism will not help now, and
what we want to do is to agree on
the best remedy for the situation,
and We hope to arrive at some con
clusions at this mass meeting, where
the subject will be open to discussion
by all citiyens. | did not ask him
whether he favors or opposes the
change.
q don't believe the people are
sufficiently aroused about the situ-
alton as it exists and as it will con-
tinue to exist unless something is
done. | do not believe they realize
the fact that the city's floating debt
is in reality first mortgage upon
every bit of taxable property in the
city ofAmericus, from the smallest
to the largest dwelling house and
upon every business enterprise large
or small. This debt will have to DO
pald, and 1T can be paid only by tax
es. II taxes are not paid when levied
the property can be sold for the tax
es ahead Of any mortgage or any 9TH
er obligation resting against it."
The joint committees of fedora
tion of the three civic clubs of the
city will meet at o'clock this eve
nlng at the Chamber of Commerce
for organization and it is understood
the proposed change in city govern
ment is on the program for discus
sion.