Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-05-16
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY
EDITORIAL.
THE WAY 1T WORKS.

THE business of the city of Amerl-
Gus is greater than any private
business within it. 1t is a corpora
tion with assets consisting of vari-
Gus kinds of property having tax
able value of more than $5,000,0 700
and an actual value of much more.
Every property owner and every citl-
zen of voting qualifications is a
stakeholder in this great municipal
corporation. If the business of this
municipal corporation is conducted
efficiently, with the greatest value
obtained for the smallest amount Of
money put out, less tax money is
required and greater civic progress
in the way Of permanent improve
ments and school, water, sanitary
and other extensions is possible. If
the business of the municipal corp
Grafton is not efficiently conducted it
means assessments upon the stock
holders to make up the losses in the
form of increased extra taxes.
There is no other way out, for the
corporation must operate year in
and year out without suspension for
even a single day, and as it is not in
the money making business it cannot
hope to show cash profits from its
operations.
That is why good business men see
the desirabiity Of making a change
in the old form of government and
substituting for it a plan whereby
business efficiency is made as GER
tain in the conduct of the city's af-
fairs as is possible, instead of con-
tinuing under the hit-and-miss plan
mostly miss--whereby men are put
in office on a basis of personal pop
ularlty without regard to their fit
ness or unfitness for the place.
A good example Of how it operates
is found in the affairs of an Ameri.
Gus manufacturing concern. This
firm is stock corporation owned by
three members of one family. For
years all had a finger in the manage
ment with the result that there
was constant conflict in the plant and
with customers. 1t wasn't satisfac-
tory. Some months ago the three
took solemn inventory of them
selves. They dropped sentiment and
looked at their situation purely from
business or money-making stand
point. The result was that a fourth
member of the family, who owns no
stock in the firm, but who is skilled
in the business as highly as any of
the others, was employed as manager
at good salary The entire man
agement Of the plant was put under
his direction, and the other three
went onto the road as sales
men, also under his direction.
The result?
This firm reports that, in spite of
the stress of times recently and the
fact that it manufactures a commod-
ity which can hardly be classed as an
immediate necessity, it is enjoying
the greatest prosperity in its career
and now has on its books $4,000 in
untitled orders. 1t has a monthly
payroll of several thousand dollars
III Americas, and is in every way an
Important growing industry.
Getting down to business turned
the trick. There is now one efficient
man giving orders and looking after
all Of the business of the firm, in
stead of three attempting to do the
same thing, with consequent over
tapping, causing confusion among the
employees and themselves and keep
ing expenses up and production and
sales down.
No private business could long con-
tinue to operate on the plan on
which the city of Americus and many
other cities are operating-it would
break them in short while. II !.
breaking the city of Americus-and
that means the property owners. A
change to business methods is onh
common sense. Haven't we enough
of It to apply it to our own loca.
government as well as to our privat,
businesses?
The electric iron is great con
Venlence for men also. When con
nected properly it cannot be thrown
Let's lend Russia the money sh,
wants on condition we use her conn
try for trying the Stillman case.