The Lakeland evening telegram., 1922-08-11

fithlG ten yeors.
All of the above features have
been accomplished without any in
crease in taxation for general city
purposes. in the departments and di-
visions of work as above included.
during the years 1918, 1919 and 1920
the levy for those years being the
same as previous years under former
administrations, to-wit. rs mills. On
account of a very heavy principal Of
bonds maturing in 1921 and 1922, the
rate was increased to 92 mills.
You further ask whether the per-
son who replies to your inquiry would
vote for a continuance of City mana
ger government in Wichita. You are
advised that not only would the writ
er hereof vote and continue to vote
for City Manager government in this
city, but as demonstrated and hereto
fore indicated q great majority of
the people believe in this type of
government and are so well satisfied
that there is practically no discus
sion of management of city affairs
in the way of criticism. The truth
is that the city business is being
handled and accomplished with the
same regard for economy and in the
production of results as are Other
large successful businesses in the
city.
Very cordially,
l.. w. CLAPP,
President First Trust Company Of
Wichita.
My. T. J. Appleyard, Jr,
Lakeland, Fla.
Dear Appleyard:
note with much pleasure and sat
isfaction that ION the first instant
Lakeland progressives voted in the
necessary majority to leave the old
aldermanic or straight commission
government whichever they had. no
real difference in them where muni-
cipal economy is impossible and where
returns or service for tan money paid
is no longer expected. AS long as
practical experience produced no bet
ter form of government the Old sys-
tenn had to be used. But it is one
of the wonders of the time that thru
all these years tax payers have con
tinued to pay tribute to such sys-
tenn and expect and get nothing in
return. The handmaiden of these old
systems iT the present county govern
ment system. And it is almost as
equally true of State and National
government. If we ever have effici-
ency in county, state and national
government it will be because the
progressive cities of the state and Ma
demonstrating that business admins
tration is not foreign to and an i'm
possibility in governmental affairs.
= Commission-M Manager government
such as Lakeland has just adopted
is nothing new. 1t is not intricate
It is not difficult to understand. 1t is
nothing more. or less than the adop-
ton by a municipal corporation of
the same methods which have been
found most successful by private cor
porations organized for profit. with
the one difference; the test of success
of corporation organized for profit
is DIFIDENDS. The test of success
Of a municipal corporation is SER
VICE for taxes paid.
My keen interest in better munich
pal government for Florida prompts
me to ENTER where angels fear to
tread" unsolicited, and sound warn
ing to You as one of Lakeland's lead
ing progressive citizens. 1t is this:
The adoption. of a charter which af
fords rlan4f0r business adminstra'
ton for Lakeland is only small ad-
vance toward the desired goal; just
as securing charter by a corpora
ton for profit is just the beginning
with them. In each case. to attain
dividends or service, as the case may
be. everything depends on the type
Of men or women who are selected
to guide its city commission. Unless
we have honest, unsefish. capable
men or women of experience with
broad vision who are willing to give
patriotic service to their city, progress