Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-31
City Manager Government
(By James r. Caton.)

trial purposes-the first and lmpor-
tant inquiry is addressed to the char
acter and efficiency of its municipal
government, and the economical and
effective administration Of the fiscal
affairs; for, upon these evidences OF
thrift, enterprise and progresslveness
IN an urban community, the desirable
itv of a new location for home, COM
nerce and industrial enterprises,
largely depend. The natural and ar
tilicial advantages of location may
be ever so great, but without the
concommitant Of a healthy, vigorous
and efficient city government; one
functioning in all its branches, it has
always been, and will always be, de-
terring factor in the economical and
efficient development Of either the
natural or artificial advantages OF
any urban community. Upon these
conditions depend the rate of taxation,
and all civic institutions and better
ments. Without them municipality
plunges in the dark with scarcely a
ray of light to illumine its pathway.
For many years past urban commun-
tiles have bean giving more thought
and attention to those things that
make for their progress and develop
ment, and as well the happiness and
contentment of the people, which has
brought forth reforms in many dl-
rections, but none more marked, or OF
greater value to civic bettement, than
the Manager Plan of Municipal Gov
eminent. The state Of Virginia IS the
first to initiate and adopt this form
of City Government, and from this be-
ginning, it has spread from ocean to
ocean, ard from the lakes to the gulf,
and is gaining impetus every day.
The cities in Virginia, large and small,
have adopted it, and now the capital
of the state is seriously considering
it's adoption. in fact the campaign is
on. In October last, the City OF Alex
andria, by an overwhelming popular
vote, endorsed the new plan; and on
September 1st next, the new govern
ment becomes effective. The good and
practical common sense Of urban COM
munities have been awakened to the
great need of change in the structure
of municipal governments, because OF
the waste Of time. money, and energy.
resulting from the old or bicamrral
system. with its ever increasing bur
dcns Of taxation, and without equVa-
lent compromising results. This %yS-
TEN has long since out-livcd its use
fulness, if ever it had any. The fella-
cy that it is system Of checks and
balances safeguarding the rights Of
the peopIe, has been exploded. The
practical, enterprising and progress
sive business man has come to realize,
that it is a system of checks to pro-
Gress. efficient and economical devel- |
opnent. and Of disastrous balances to
the detriment and improvishmcnt Of |
the tax payer. City government under
hicameral system. has become play |
thing Of the politician, and its results |
have been sadly disappointing to |
business enterprises and to the pro-
gressive wide awake and energetic |
citizen A new era has dawned upon |
Us in this respect. resulting in |
a large number Of the cities of our
own and other states, casting into |
the refuse the bicameral system, and
in erecting in it's stead 4 sane and |
common business sense form of gov
crnment. The City Manager Plan, is
government built to function in all of |
it's departments. having responsible
administrative head. and works eff
GENTLY. progressively and economi-
cally. 1t is, and should be. non-parti
san; it is not intended to be. and
should not be, handy of political par
ties. Municipal Government is strictly
a business enterprise Of Ill the peo-
pic, for all the people and by all the
people in every urban community, and
the progress and development Of every
urban community, demands the best
that business talent can nroduce, IL
respective OF political affiliations.
The progressive spirit of the peo-
pie of Alexandria. has been demon
strated in the overwhelming adoption
Of the City Manager Plan of Cover
mont. 1t brings to our service gov
erment. modern and up to date: waste
and leakage in time, energy and mon
ey. will be checked. The tax payer
will get dollars worth, for his dollar
paid in taxes. It's revenues will be
intelligently, economically and sys-
tematically applied, and placed where
it can be seen and felt, by every citi-
Ipll. IL seizures dI up-IO-udIt huSi-
ness government, based upon well-di-
rected business principles. The nat
ural and artificial advantages of Alex
andria, with such government. will
not he snrnasSed by any other location
in the United States. 1t is stand
ing invitation to those who contcm-
nlate seeking new home for residen-
tial. commercial, or industrial enter
prise. Come see US grow. and what
is better. come and grow with us. The
close nroximitv Of Alexandria to the
capital Of thu Nation. makes it in
every way desirable rs location
either for residence. business or in
dnstrial enternriSc. The climate is
good.Hits health is GOOD. its schools
are good It is putting on . modern
asrect It's live and progressive spirit
ard ciSzcnrv is giving imnetus to its |
DEVELOPMENT. It's new form of CITY |
Government not only promises but
assures its future. 1t is IN ASSN