The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-02
GOVERNING THE CITY


 While several meetings of those inter ested in the establishment of a so-called modified form of mayor-aldermanic mu- nicipal government for Birmingham have been held, there is little evidence of any considerable public sentiment in its favor. It is apparent that many citizens, confusing the form with the substance, are in favor of change, because of the failure of the present commissioners to . handle the affairs of the city economi- cally and efficiently. These citizens over look the fact that this failure arose from the personnel of the commissioners rather than from the system itself. No live men with no more capacity to ad- minister the municipal business of Bir- mingham than the present encumbents possess could make a success of the job, no matter what system were in opera tion.
 As general proposition the council manager type of municipal government offers a more business-like and practical solution of the problem, because it tends to centralize authority and responsibility, and carries a more reliable test of ad- ministrative capacity. Much has been said and many complaints made about "buck-passing" among the several de- partments of the municipal government. There are general criticisms that this habit makes it practically impossible to get anything done without serious un- necessary delay. It is, therefore, costly and wasteful of time and discouraging in results. Yet there be those who advo- cate the election of twenty or more ad- ministrative authorities to increase the wrangling, division of authority and re- sultant delay.
 There can be found economic and eff cient municipal government in cities that operate under the mayor-aldermanic sys- tenn, in cities under commission govern ment and in cities administered under the council-manager plan. On the other hand, there are cities that have wasteful, in- efficient and corrupt governments L311-r all of these plans, though it is significant that as rule those cities which are ad- ministered under the council-manager plan are more successful in their busi- ness interests, render more efficient pub lie service and command greater confi- dence from the citizens, than cities op- erated under the other systems, because there is more business and less politics entering into the situation.
 It is well to keep in mind that the few citizens who are agitating the proposed mayor-aldermanic plan for Birmingham, including a number of office-holders, would be office-holders and active, par ticipants in local politics, in no sense comprise mass meetings, as some of them refer to these small gatherings. There are doubtless many more citizens who would prefer to see Birmingham adopt business-like city-manager system of ad- ministering the municipal affairs. Be it remembered, however, that, while such 8 system promises improvement upon the present type of government, for reasons referred to, especially if due care be ob- served in selecting an executive as man. ager, and offers infinite improvement upon the proposed mayor-aldermanic system, which even in it's consideration recalls the old log-rolling regime of pro- fessional politics from which Birming ham suffered severely both financially and morally, the type of municipal gov ernment is secondary to the capacity of those who operate it. It takes men of business ability and character to run a city. The type of men who are chosen for that responsible duty will alone be the solution of this problem.
 It is gratifying to note that the scope of the election may be broadened, and that the citizens of Birmingham may have the opportunity to say which of the systems of government they prefer. This will doubtless create additional interest in the municipal affairs. That is an all together important condition which will go farther towards establishing efficient administration than will the choice of any particular plan of government. The important thing is either to center on the proper sort of men for commissioners, or also to give the people an honest, frank and unequivocal opportunity to vote on several alternative forms to re- place the commission form.