Evening journal., 1923-01-30
MANAGER PLAN
SUITS NORFOLK

December 81. 1921, it had been
shaved down to s567.eOO. A saving
of $1,000 was effected in the bud
get for the first half of 1892"
Mr.. Walker then offered the fol-
lowing extracts from letters of
prominent business and profession
al men in Norfolk, giving their views
of governmental affairs there:
Judge II. II. Rumble, OF the law
firm of Rumble & Rumble: What
the new form of government has
meant TO Norfolk may be summar-
lied in the statement that it has
meant a thorough-going business
administration of the affairs of the
city. We have a well organized and
very efficient police force. cleaner
streets, increased speed and ef-
ficiency in handling public business
and an extensive program of street
and other public improvements now
under way. know of no thought
full citizen who would be willing TO
return to the old order of things"
W. Frank Robertson, president
Hampton Roads Paper Co.: I'VE
have had the commission-manag
form in Norfolk for several years,
and the improvements have been so
marked and satisfactory over the ole
plan of government that we would
not revert under any consideration.
We find il to be the most economical
way OF administering the affairs OF
the city and furthermore satisfac-
tory TO all parties concerned. Norfolk
has been very fortunate in the selec-
ton OF its city manager. He has the
interest of the city at heart and is
not inclined to any faction political
ly, religiously or socially. Further
more, he has a vision of the possibll-
tiles of what the city can and ought
10 do and is working for the inter
ests OF the city in general and not for
any individual or party or political
Harry B. Price. president Price
Hardware Co: 1T is the
concensus of opinion among my
friends and all the people that
know. that our form of government,
under the leadership of City Man
ager Ashburner, has been very sat
and a wonderful improve
nent over the old-time political
form. am not familiar with the
,ity's finances, but I am familiar
with the wonderful improvement In
our streets, and have the personal |
of feeling that our pres
mt form Of government IS without |
waste or graft. Please understand |
hat I am not personally acquainted |
With the city manager and with only /
wO members of Council, yet they
re all real business men and not |
politicians"
II. G.. Barbee, president Harrison.
Voodson, Barbee Co.: I'VE would
lot so back to the old form Of gov
,rnment under any conditions. We
lave Just reduced our tax rate, city
md State. to S2.09 from $3.50. The
sty is cleaner. we have better
streets, and when we want to do
anything the proposal IS not bump
ID around by a committee of the
council for from two to six months
before a report Is made. We get
action promptly. just as though A
BOARD Of directors was sitting
lround a table handling a big bust
less proposition"
n. II. Slack, president N. II. Slack
Grocery Company: Reply to your
etter, would state that the advan-
ages of commission-manag gov
rnment over the old political form
ire so many that the wrker would
lesitate TO undertake to name them.
can very truthfully say though
hat there is not a business man in
he city who is not pleased with the
lew form. 1t has really worked
wonders in our city. We have
realty improved streets, sewers,
,olice and health departments-in
act, all departments OF city govern
1ent are now run on business prin-
iples. We would not go back to
he old form of government under
ny consideration"
W. G. Swartz President Miller,
shoads & Swartz: I'VE have found J.,
he city manager form of govern
1ent a great success In every way.
n fact, it has proven a greater sue , ,,
ess than its most ardent advocates
It is safe to say that
II not a greater percent
ge. Of our citizens are greatly pleas
and heartily in favor of our pres
Mt form Of government, which has
'orked out so satisfactorily"