Evening journal., 1923-02-14

substitutes merit for publ IN ap.
pointm ments; restricts franchise
granting power; compels publicity
OF proceedings and acts; requires
full-time service OF officials; erects
standards of service and makes ef-
ficiency the principal requirement OF
public offices; safeguards public
servants by civil provisions; reduces
( taxation; obtains better terms for
city deposits; takes police force out
( of politics; brings about improve
ments in fire and sanitary depart
ments; keeps streets in better con-
/ dition as to repair, cleanliness ana
I lighting; reduces water rates; in
oresses wages; raises the credit of
the city 30 par and above; abolishes
annual deficits; provides a better
qualify of service. both in the di-
rect service of the city and dn the
service performed by contract; pro-
vides Intelligent and efficient muni-
ctpal accounting.
These are the things that com
mission-manager government is do
ing and has done in the cities where
II has been tried. according to TINS
Intelligent and thorough survey OF
competent Investigators. Citizens OF
Wilmington should carefully check
over this list of achievements of the
proposed form of government for
Wilmington and decide for them
selves how many of these improve
ments would be desirable for this
city.
''If they find that form OF gov
ernment which has done these things
is reasonably sure 20 do them IN
Wilmington. and that Wilmington
would be benefited by having these
things done. then they ought, as fair
and honest citizens, communicate
personally or by letter with members
of the Legislature down at Dover and
urge them all TO vote for the special
aot which will give this city the i'm
proved. tried simple and effective
governmental system"
probably the most emphatic
OF the scare-crow asser-
ton Of some local politicians that,
In the event OF the passage OF the
act giving Wilmington commission
government the city man
ager will build UP a political ma
chine and perpetuate himself in Of
fice' Is to be found in the exper-
,ence Of Phoenix. Arizona, where on
May 1, 1922, City Manager V. A.
resigned and was sue
seeded by W. c. Foster" according
10 Leon Walker, chairman of the
Citizens Charter Commit
zee.
The official report OF the resigna-
ion of Mr.. Thompson, who had /
served as city manager since the in ,
iuguration OF the system there |
April 1. 1914, reads: W. c. Foster, !
| local business man and banker. /
vas appointed city manager May I,
|. HIS salary will be $4,000 Mr. /
Thompson resigned his $500 posi- ]
ion TO enter business for himself. 1
rhe head OF practically every de- !
lartment in the city handed in their I
when Mr.. Thompson re-
igned. and presented him with a /
oxen of their esteem"
For the first time IN twenty years.
according to the annual Official re- !
'ort Of the city, Brunswick. Georgia. !
inder the ssion-manager plan .
or twelve months, operated within (
Is income. In addition 20 this
lnanoial accomplishment. City Man
ger w. 81. Granting, through the
lirect employment OF labor and pur-
'hase Of materials paved one and
miles OF streets at a saving
If s19,325 under the lowest bidder.
lie also motorized a sewage pump
ng station. and thus srved S4,027
n operation costs. as compared with
he previous year. Under central
zed purchasing. and through com
'etitive bidding. the city cut the cost
4 equipment, materials and supplies
IN two. Eight wooden
ridges were replaced with concrete
ulverts. With no advance in the
TX rate the city operated during the
ear at a saving Ct $4,000. Man !
ger Gramling Is paid $4,000 an
ually.