The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-29


should. 1 think most Topekans feel
the same way about it. 1 would sug-
gest that a public debate be held at
the city auditorium some time soon
committee and that the advantages
and weaknesses of both the commits
sion and manager forms be brought
out. The debate would be a no-deci-
sion affair. of course, and would be
staged only that the public might
learn mora of the new plan of gov
ernment."
CHARLES L. MITCHELL. secre-
tary-sales manager, Crane & Co: ''I
am not sold to the city manager plan.
don't see how one man can be found
on such a salary who will be equipped
to be an expert on waterworks. cleo
trio lights, engineering. streets, sewers,
finances. police and fire control.
believe the city manager plan would
sort could be found Nevertheless, /
am willing to be convinced"
T. D. HUMPHREY, attorney: I'm
willing to try anything once. L think
we'd ought to try the city manager
plan. and if that doesn't work, try the
ku Klux klan-"
DOUGLAS GRAHAM. county clerk:
'I have not given it much study, but
would be opposed to it because / think
il would be giving too much power to
one man or clique of men,. 1t seems
to be that political parties in our city
government would rencer our admin
istrations more efficient Under tho
present plan, no party or organization
is responsible for what happens
FRANK CURRY, smoke house
proprietor: There's nothing to it
The reason everybody thinks a private
corporation is so efficient and so we'll
managed IS that no one knows about
the honerS they pull, and which are
their own private business. The city,
on the other hand. If it is managed as
loosely as a big corporation, belongs
to everybody, and everybody yells1
about it"
FRED COLE. clerk: 'It looks like
a good thing and b regular business
proposition. l have favored the plan
since it was established in Dayton,
Ohio"
WILL J. RUSSELL, secretary of the
Grand lodge of Kansas, l. o. o. f.:
"I am for it. 1t would be a good thing
if they get the right man for city
manager"
Jw MILLER, printer: ct am for
it. We have been fighting the present
system of government, that includes
passing the buck, for thirty years.
Checking up of the responsibility will
be a real advantage in city govern
ment."
CHARLES H. MATHEWS, Mutual
Laundry: It's fine in theory and 1
believe it will work out in practice
The rub is in getting man for the
job. L believe it will take city man
agement out of politics, and be good
for it,"
THEL ROssER, druggist: with
the right man, yes: otherwise, no. 1t
looks like a gamble
p. A MILLER, district manager.
New York: 1.-The principle of the city
manager plan is all right. 1t all de-
pends on getting the right man for
the place. The city of Topeka is just
like large business. and good ma
at the head of it say $4,000 a year
man. should give Topeka a good gov
ernment. 1 don't believe a man who
is not worth $4,000 a year will be
big enough to handle it. With this
system if we fail to get the right kind
of a man we can hire another, and
will not have to wait until his term
of office has expired before making
a change"
J. A. HOUSE, Philadelphia Public
Ledger. former mayor of Topeka:
PERSONALLY 1 am not for 1t. There is
too much possibility of getting man
who is not honest enough and bis
enough to handle the job. The east |
ern. cities are not strong for it,
FRED L. HOWE, Crane and Co j.:
IT am not entirely sold on the propo-
sition yeti
DIR. H. L. CLARK, county coroner.
Il believe it is a good form of govern
ment providing, of course. that the
right kind of a man can be found for
the position"
T. D. WILLIAMS. county probation
officer: 81 believe it is good thing. /
I also am in favor of the same plan
for the successful operation of the
various charities in Topeka"
J. WILL KELLEY, secret y Kan
sas State Pharmaceutical association: |
I'm not a bit enthusiastic about it. |
The old council form of government, |
if it was run in its simplest form, was |
about as good as anything we've ever !
had. The commission form of gov
eminent WIS going to eliminate poll I
tics and lower taxes. Taxes have been (
going higher and higher ever since /
We installed the comm ssion form of /
and instead of partisan |
politics in city government we have 4
personal politics"
FRED L. HOWE. Southwestern /
Bell Telephone company: "Oh. well /
there's always a group of fellows that /
want variety or publicity or some 1
thing"
HARRY COLMERY at orn y:
THE theory of Capitalization Of re- /
spousibility and authority is fine. but 1
what beats me is how this happened /
to blow up all of a sudden out of /
cloud of smoke"
Pulls Trigger With Toe
Atchison, Kan, Dec 29.-Re-
moving a shoe and hose, John
Rob. .nson. 4S. wealthy Atchison +