The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-18
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT SUGGESTED HERE
City Managerial Plan Is Submitted By W. M.
 Lindsay

City manager government for Bir- mingham was proposed Thursday by William M. Lindsay, well-known fig ure in city and county politics, as a substitute for the modified mayor-alder- manic type advocated by the forces led by Hunter Armstrong and Judge Horace Wilkinson.
 Mir. Lindsay said this plan appealed to him as the most logical yet present ed as a solution for the acknowledged unrest and discOntent over the present plan of control" and suggested that General Robert L. Ballard, "right-hand man" of General Pershing' during the World war, who retires from the United States army this fall, be brought to Bir- mingham and given the post of city manager. General BuIlard is an Ala bamian.
 Mr. Lindsay cnlled for an early mass meeting 10 discuss his plan and indi. eated that detefmimed fight world be launeked Tkus, fhreeeofpeE pi. paien betFeea eifs niaaa In, meFt. modified may erEnanic FIle, and the exfsting commission type, looms as q practical certainty.
 The plan offered by AIr. Lindsay vigorously opposes the present system as well as the form of government ad- voeated by the Armstrong Wilkinson forces.
 Plan Indefinite
 No definite plan has been outlined by Mir. Lindsay, but inasmuch as the pre- mise of his whole plan is the appoint ment of city manager, it is thought that other changes necessarily will fol low. These, it is expected, will result in government patterned after that in other cities where city manager ia employed.
 During recent visit here General BuIlard expressed a desire to return to his native state and was highly enthu- siastie over, Birmingham and it's fu- ture possibilities. His experience dur ing the past forty years, Mfr. Lindsay contends, has done much to fit him for the office here should he choose to take it. e
 "I have no personal ax to grind in suggesting that city manager be ap- pointed in Birmingham" Mir. Lindsay said. ''I believe 1t would be of real benefit to the city and that the results would be well worthwhile.
 For some time since I learned that General Bullard would retire from the army this fall have had it in mind that he be made city manager in Bir- mingham. A man of his wide expert. ence, great ability and untarnished rec. ord would be q great asset to the city and l believe now is q good time to eonscript his services, even as we have those of Gen, W. L. Sibert for the de velOpment of the Port of Mobile.
 With General Sibert in charge of de. yeloping the port, if we could get Gen erAl Bullard, it would go a long way to establish confidence and bring about rest in the minds of our people-to say nothing of the result it would have abroad. ~ ..
 +I believe that a city manager would result in more good to Birmingham as q whole than a return to the aldermaniC form of government, and that with General Sibert at Mobile and General Bullard installed. as city manager the result would be to produce a restful feeling at home and establish us on a firmer foundation. with people else. where who might consider coming here
 ''It strikes me that the time is Op. poFtunes and that while the air is sur, charged with all kinds of rumors-em' bezzlement, malfesahce in office and others-Our people ought to throw aside all personal flags. disregard personal welfare in large measure for arOusine mass meeting and settle this question, once and for all. Let us hope that there | are enough of our forward looking citi- sens to bring about this result"
 Mir. Lindsay's plan was suggested in the face of c growing strength in the ranks of Hunter Armstrong and his CO workers for a return to the aldermaniC fom of city government. Not only does it oppose these forces, but it is almost sure to call forth opposition from the l nro-eommiasion nlan adherants.