The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-03-17
ITYMANAGERPlAN
DISCUSSED BY FOLK
SECOND ROUND IN voCABU,
Larry CONTEST
Various Shades Of Opinion Were
Expressed By Ladies And Gen
tlemen Who Spoke On Subject
At Meeting Under Civic And
Commerce Association Auspices.

ment was the topic OF discussion at
last nights meeting of the Civic and
Commerce association held at the
city council chambers. The subject
was discussed pro and con in a most
thorough manner, and proved to be a
good school of instruction for those
not understanding the plan. At the
close of the meeting it was decided
10 continue the study of this new
form of government. and probably
soma time in the future, when the
scheme has been tested out as to its
efficiency, it may be adopted in Man
kato.
Charles X. Mayer opened the ball
with an able address on the negative
side OF the question Mr.. Mayer said:
Like at a former meeting, he was
still opposed TO the city manager plan
At this time.
important changes OF city govern
ment should not be made hastily or
without the most careful preparation
and consideration. | feel that the new
plan would not be an Improvement
at this time. There Is much doubt
as to whether the manager plan has
yet been tried out far enough for US
To express a definite opinion as 10 its
preferability for Mankato.
"A previous speaker on this sub
Ject mentioned the number of cities
which are now operating under the
city manager system. Out OF the 26S
cities listed by the National Municipal
League as having the city manager
plan eighty are using various make
shifts, such as government by ordi-
nances which vest additional powers
in the mayor or some other persons,
which could also be done here in
Mankato. This really leaves only 1SS
cities in this whole United States
which have up TO January I, 1922,
adopted city manager charters. A
very small number compared to the
number of cities in the United States.
We have frequently heard Dayton
mentioned in connection with the
CITY manager plan.
When we consider conditions in
Dayton before the manager plan was
adopted it is easy to understand why
a change was made. As a matter OF
fact any change for Dayton was a
change for the better.
Opinion Is Read
Il want to read 4 short extract from
Toulmin's book The City Manager"
city's reason for trying the expert
ment. Here is what it says:
1t was government by deficit, a
government with no check on expend-
iture by any department. with little
forethougkt in regard to that embar-
RAISING future question as to where
The money was to come from. In six
years the total deficit amounted to
S360,000, or an average of $4,000 a
year. In 1912 alone the council made
the barefaced appropriation of ST.
O51, 300 upon An acknowledged income
of S9i5 900 or an increase over in
come of $10S.300
In view of these facts it is not TO
he wondered at that Dayton was ripe
for change, but it would seem that
what the citizens of Dayton really
needed was not a manager but a
guardian. l might also add what
said before about Dayton-that oper-
ating expenditures for the first year
within the city manager plan were
S77.709 more than the previous year.
This was under the city manager plan.
Under our present commission plan
OF govc-nment here in Mankato we
have five managers instead of one as
under the city manager plan, each one
in charge of the particular depart
Inent of the municipal business for
which he is best qualified by training
and experience; and altogether shar-
ing the responsibility of definite ac-
ton upon the more important mat
ters.
Mr.. Mayer said, that If Mankato
were to adopt city manager form OF
government it would mean that the
manager would have the right 10 hire
and fire anyone he saw fit. He would
have the say-so in about everything
that pertains to this city. in q word
the manager would be made both the
administrative and executive officer,
and would be given duties, Mr.. Mayer
said that he thought no one man
would be able to accomplish. A man
so delegated with what one might
Term absolute power, would be prone
10 political corruption, according TO
the speaker. Mr.. Mayer said in clos
ing, that what Mankato or any other
city wants is simplicity in government
The city does not care much as to the
form, as to its being the best kind OF
government for all concerned. The
operation of any government, good OF
who control it.
Educating The People
Lawrence J: Jerue,, said that he
thought meetings like the one held
last night were the best means OF
educating the people as to the best
form of city government. Mr.. Jerue
was frank to state that he did not
understand the city manager plan,
and like a great many others came To
the meeting for information.
W. R. Hammett a former city
councilman, admitted that he was not
ND to snuff in city manager plan of
government, but saw no reason Tor
a change. I'VE have good charter,
and would noe Like to see it torn to
pieces You got to show me some
thing better for less money, before
would be willing to make the change,
said Mr.. Hammett.
Palmer On the Affirmative
GeorYe M Palmer. who took the at
firmatiye side OF The question Of the
city manager plan OF government,
said that he heartily agreed with Mr..
Hanmett, in that this city has good
charter. The speaker also agreed
with C. K. Mayer, in that he did not
believe in sudden changes In city
government without careful study.
Meetings such as was being held, is
the place that the merits and demer-
its OF proposed changes can be
tbreshed out Mr.. Palmer also agreed
with Mr.. Mayer when he stated thar
under the present form OF city gov
eminent for Mankato we have five
managers, each looking after his own
deparfment The speaker wanted to
gnow il the thought ever occurTed to
-, - hSS audiancR tnat large cor