Evening journal., 1923-02-13

, ell form. certain defects on the ad-
/ mlnlstrativs side were apparent.
With Ave commissioners and heads
OF departments acting quite inde-
pendently OF each other. effective
coordination was sometimes I'M
/ possible, and concentration OF re-
sponsibllity IN one person. OF course.
entirely lacking. Moreover, the com
missioners were not always expcri.
in their various departments. and
quite often conten.ed themselves
with purely supervisory interest.
allowing subordinates 10 carry on
the active direction. To remedy these
obvious defects. Dayton, Ohio, In
1913. added the city manager
feature 10 the Des Mdnes plan.
This system has worked so we'll In
Dayton that In the past nine years
over two hundred cities have adopt
ed Il, including twelve cities with a
population between fifty thousand
and one hundred thousand, and
seven whose population exceeds one
hundred thousand. the largest be-
ing Cleveland, Ohio. with a popula-
ton OF 7e6.s4i. which adopted the
plan last year with the additional
feature OF preferential voting. The
manager system is now authorized
by law In a. least twenty-seven
States
In a ssloner-manager sys-
TEN patterned after the Dayton plan
and such as that proposed for Will
mington, all legislative and execu-
tive powers. except the legislative
powers reserved 10 the people IN the
Initiative and referendum provisions.
are vested in a council, or commits
sion, of FIVE members elected from
the city az large for four years. The
council enacts ordinances and regu-
lations. II levies taxes, votes appro-
prlations. II thus serves as a legis-
lative, policy-determining and gem
eral supervisory body OF the city.
At It's first meeting the council or
commission elects It's presiding off,
Ger from among its membership,
and for all ceremonial purposes this
officer serves and Is known as the
mayor OF the city.
While the councilmen are elected
for a term OF four years 10 should
not be overlooked that at no time
are they beyond the active control OF
the electorate. Ordinances passed
by the council must be referred.
upon a legal petition, 20 the people
for ratification or rejection. Like
wise ordinances may be initiated by
the people. and the council members
are subject 20 recall.
Responsibility for the details OF
administration. however, Is imposed
upon a single official, the city man
ager, who Is chosen by the council
entirely on his merits as an expert
in city administration. and who Is
responsible TO that body. The man
ager. as said before. Is the central
ngure in the city government, and
can be described best as a municipal
engineer. To the end that the most
capable man be secured for the Job.
choice ie not necessarily restricted
TO resident Of the city. The man
ager thug comes 10 his task entirely
free from the opportunities Of par
ties or factions. and can work un-
hampered for the welfare OF the city
in the same way as a manager OF
large business concern. The city
manager has the power 20 appoint
all department. heads subject. in the
case OF the proposed Wilmington
charter. ito confirmation by a ma
jority vote OF the council" Depart-
ment heads are solely responsible
TO the city manager. Departments
or administration under the commits
plan usually number
nve and in the proposed Wilmington
this number is adhered 10. |
Section 3s provides for a Depart |
ment OF Law, a Department OF /
Finance. a Department OF Public
Service. a Department OF Public |
Welfare and a Department OF Public
Safety. All officers may be removed
by the manager at any time. The
Is forbidden 10 interfere by
debating or attempting 20 dictate
The appointment or removal OF any
officer. The council. however, can
investigate the conduct OF any de-
partment and has the power OF re-
moving the city manager for cause.
The duties OF the city manager as
in section 81 OF the pro-
posed charter for Wilmington in
,lude the enforcement OF the ordi-
lances OF the city and the laws OF
he State, the supervision OF the ad-
OF the city's affairs.
Ieeping the council advised con-
.erning the financial condition and
he future needs OF the city. the
preparation OF and submission to the
council OF the annual budget esti-
nate and the preparation and sub
mission to the council such reports
IS may be required by that body.