The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-09
To thn Editor of The Age-Herald:

To clear up some misconceptions as to the representative character of the mSnager-council plan of city government, as proposed by the Junior Chamber of Commerce, I ask space sSin your paper for this brief comparison of the manager council and mayor aldermen forms
 The.9 manager council form con tsins every one of the good features of thes mayor aldermen form, with more efficient and more democratic administration of public matters and with elimination of the corruption which so often characterizes the mayor4aldermen form
 Under the mayor aldermen form, we have a council, elected by wards, which-makes all laws, and has com plete Jurisdiction over all legisla tive matters.
 Under the manager form we have the same council, elected by wards in the same manner, and that council makes all laws and has com plete Jurisdiction over all legisla tive matters. In addition we have the initiative and referendum, by which the voters are given the power to originate legislation and pass on laws drafted by the council.
 Under the mayor aldermen plan as it formerly worked in Birming ham, og-rolling, passing the buck and political fence building were al- ways in evidence. Responsibility could not be placed
 Under the manager council plan, authority and responsibility are cen- trslized. Responsibility for unsatis- factory conditions can be placed and the conditions remedied.
 I,ga, the spells system prevailed. Admin istration was cumbersome. The workings of the administration were not generally understood. Charges of bribery, corruption and trickery were frequently made and sometimes sustained.
 Under the anager-council form, as it has worked for years in scores of cities, civil service provisions have practically abolished the spells system. Simplicity of form of gov ernment and wide publicity given all administrative and legislative mat ters have eliminated bribery, cor ruption and trickery and aroused voters to an active and intelligent interest in municipal affairs.
 Under the mayor aldermen plan, the mayor, who is the executive and legislative head of the city govern ment, is elected by the voters. He may or may not advlse with the council. During the entire term for which he is elected, he is uncon- trclled in the exercise of adminis- trative duties.
 Selected By Council.
 Under the manager council plan, the manager or executive head. with no legislative powers, is selected by
 
 cies fixed by the council. He is sub. ject to instruction, correction and dismissal at all times. The mayor, or legislative head, under this plan, Is elected by the voters. All reference to the mayor In this statement, ex- cept the one immediately preceding, has reference to the mayor under the mayor aldermen plan.
 The administrative head of Bir- mingham is primarily responsible for the conduct of all public business. He has to direct the spending of several hundred thousand dollars d month. He has to supervise the eff aoIts of hundreds of employees. He has to look after property of value of millions of dollars. He should be a man of wide experience, proven ability, unprecedented integrity, and progressive ideas.
 Under the mayor aldermen plan, the voters are limited in their choice of this official to those few men who offer for the position. There are rarely over two or three candi- dates. seeking such a position.
 Capable men, well qualified for the office, have been found unwilling to go into a political fight for eiec- ton, or financially unable to do so, of wide acquaintance, or political fol- lowing necessary for election.
 Under the manager-council plan, the voters elect their representatives, the council members. who in turn select the man best equipped to ad- minister the business affairs of the city. They authorize the council to pay salary and to offer position that will appeal to the highest type of men, and thus enable the coun- eli. on behalf of the city. to com other business interests for the best men.
 Plenty of Men Available
 The field of desirable men to select from. is being constantly widened, since, with some 300 cities operating under the manager form, the position of city manager has come to be a recognized profession and capable men Are fitting themselves by educa- ton and training to fili 1t. In addi- tion to all others. the council has the opportunity to select from all those who would be candidates for the mayoralty.
 The mayor is subject to political influences, because his position is purely political. To gain it he must promise positions and make trades. To hold it. he must turn out expe- rienced employees to make room for his friends, support the schemes of his political bedfellows and discour- age the projects of the opposition.
 The manager is not concerned with politics. His success is dependent on