The labor world., 1922-06-17


prolonged and animated debate the
Federated Trades assembly last Fri
day evening decla ed against amy
change Of the present form of city
government. Fear Of the city man
ager plan Of government Influenced
many of the delegates from derIar-
ing for any change at this time.
The advocates Of the mayor coln-
Gil plan put up strong arguments
but they were Ou1\Cteu when the
recommendation OF the committee
appointed bi President Jensen to
study the report Of the Civic co'ln-
Gil on city government was present.
cd. The report was signed by \. G..
tallin. q. +. Dung. Charles EsSr, F..
S. HohherSlad ana George B. Cook,
and reads as follows:
"F'irsI: They have tendency TO
di>tredit the present form OF city
government by questioning whether
it is a Representatives form, and claim
that 'runtact between the public and
its servants is fttbIr.'
''Second: They argue that Il city
council so formed 10y wards is ohvi-
ously representative and Expresses
a desire that il any revision Of the
form Of government tn" common
council or r"licN-making body he
compused Of representatives. and
that the representation We my wards.
'Third: The reports hav" 4 ton
dency to diScr"dit the ability or in
tegritv of Il citizen Of the city who
may aspire to such office unless he
has first conducted u business Sue
cessfl'ly. One report says: IoSi-
ca'ly no one ought to be elected now
who has nc; had experience in the
successful conduct of a business.'
''Fnurth: They find fault with the
hod Of legislation. and contend
that Il ward system as a basis to
constitute Il Legislative body is prop
er and they cite the organization of (,
corporation as an example Of the
way it should work.
City Manager Plan.
"I'ifth: They suggest the latest
method of city government, known
as the cit:.' manager plan. suggest
ing the creation Of legislative body
to direct tn" city MANAGER, and such
body be r|ectcL by wards.
'SiXlh: In tho last report a sug-
geslion of mayOr-manag plan is
made together with "A ward system
'Fhe findings Of your commit &c
are:
'tirs:: That the city commission
ers elected ny Il direct vote Of the
citizens are accountable to the pcO-
pc: that the people are the electors
and evcr' citizen is interested ir
each Of the members Of the com.
mission. and each Of the commits.
SiuncrS is directly responsible tC
each Of their CONSTITUENCIES. And We
find that whenever there is a prop.
OSition proposed that is logical
practical and within the law. it ha.
Immediate consideration by tho com
nlissiontrS.
SeCond: That the ward system Of
representation means that a portion
OF the citizens elect Il representative
to represent them in council to
gother with many more so elected
and who arc accountable only to the
constituency nf their respective ward
This will bring back the old system
Of so-called log rol'ng,' which pol
icy is detrimental to tho interest:
Of the city.
TGird: We. believe that tho hes
Qualified citizens for political Of
flce, to represent the peiplc in Off
cial CaEiCity. do not need he at any
time successful business people. Bu
We go further than that; we believe
that man elected to office shorlt
he especially fitted to look after the
interests Of tho CONSTITUENCIES, tnt
welfare and best interest of the city
and not he of tyre that has beer
successful in business because O.
their disregard of the rights Of 9th
erS. Down through The pageS Of his
tory we find that the truly big men
whose names stand out us Il guide
to future generations, in most cases
were poor business men.
'F'ourth: We have now the best
most modern and nearest domocra
tic method Of leg gislation that ha
been devised. We can initiate an or