The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-02-28
LOCAL SYSTEM OF CITY GOVERNMENT
 UNDERESTIMATE
Points Out Reason Why Change Should Be Made by the Next Legis-
 Iative Session

The reduction of the police force of the city of Birmingham is re- gretable; but the necessity therefor is made plain by statement issued from those in authority at the city hall" said Frank v. Evans yesterday. The sum and substance of which statement is financial inability of the city excheQuar to meet its pay roll.
 The real trouble lies in the fact that our present system of city gov ernment is top heavy--too many ex- pensive heads-too few real work kers in the ranks The commi ssion form of government places five heads. with their clerks, stenographers, etc, on the pay roll, at an expense of S55,000 or $40,0o0 per annum; whereas one head at an expense of les sthan one fourth the present commissions sal- ary list would provide sufficient di- rection to all departments and save quite sufficient funds to keep the po- lice force up to full standard.
 The prime function of all city government is police protection, without which the people may as well 
 Much has recently been said of our present. form of city government, and changes have been suggested by individuals and collective agencies II iIterested in the upbuilding and gem eral progress of Birmingham.
 The subject now seems to resolve itself into the simple question as to whether or not the municipality Should be under popular control. I am of the opinion that civil liberty and self f-government guaranteed to the American people by the original law of the nation can nowhere be more highly enjoyed or more safely exercised than in the management by the people of. their own local affairs, and that delegation of authority or q shifting of responsibility by an elective body to commission or a general manager is contrary to the --sery spirit and purpose of municipal charters.
 seldom Make Mistake
 My views are based on the pre- sumption that the people of a munich pal corporation seldom make mistake gin choosing their agents for the con- i iuuct of their city affairs, when those lRgents arc popularly chosen from ,thoir citizenship; each community of sthe municipality having direct rep resentation.
 T have no patience with the often expressed idea that the people are rot capable of self-government. His tory denies it; political philosophy 'eainsays it; common sense contra ofcts it. Government and people must work abreast like the horses of the Grecan chariot, public opinion Aa .ba riA .fharfW FaAniFeM a union of the whole. Napoleon's sfamous dictum, Everything for the ; people, nothing by the people, Is re- pugnant to the American mind and .heart.
 c- "I greatly fear there is much dan ger in this latter day departure from the old rule of local government, and that 1t is rapidly leading to oentralization of power not contem- plated by the framers of the original law of the state, nor consistent with the idea of free government, E.. T know the view is often presented that popular political control of the several departments of public serv- ice is apt to make less efficient such service, and that local self-govern- ment in it's broadest sense may im- pede missions of general character. Ii this rule be general in it's applica- tion it were better that municipal home government be abolished and the management of our cities be placed in the hands or under direct control of the state government, thus centralizing power.
 Is Not Representative
 q intend no reflection upon the personnel of the present city com mission of Birmingham when l say tLat our present form of city gov ernment by commission is non representative. and the system re- pugnant to the idea of popular rep-