The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-12-05
Trained Managers Making
Good in American Cities
Ry BILL PRICE

The offer to Colonel G. O. Sheriff. Director of Public Build
ugs Parks of the District of the post OF city manager OF
Cincinnati much interest in the subject OF municipal
and the growing tendency to take from mayors
all fiscal functions and give these to men trained In con-
Quoting administrative affairs of cities
The mayors of American cities powers in their re-
spective communities They rule unframed in city
management and without extensive knowledge Of municipal
Elected by popular vcteand generally partans-
they are kept busy passing out spo there any to be
had and usually there too much They are under party
and other obligations that frequently too heavy for the
honest When large of public money are to
he spent public improvements and the control is within
hands, they beset by the political bosses and ward
heeers who put them in to award contracts so that liberal
slices Of the peoples will to them The opposition
party always making charges Of corruption and stirring up
troubles The mayor who ignores the pleas Of his parsans
for pe the line of serving the public often
Of office without the popularity he went in with simply
because partisan politics has wide sway unless there is the
cepona city where the voters place public welfare ahead of
financially fattening the politicians and bosses
city manager takes control Of the finances of city
without pledges and with the understanding that he will
ignore politicians and ward heees such and advice
and recommendations made solely the basis Of public good
Cincinnati glaring example of politically munich
pay where the bosses keep their hands the municipal
officials they elect and feel MORALLY offended they fail to
get liberal rake offs and favors in expenditures for public
improvements The friends of the bosses supposed
the rich contracts and exravagant salaries paid pO
cal pets appointed unnecessary municipal positions
cities Of this there far too Of them
the good Of the taxpayers secondary The thing get
ours when our crowd" happens to win at the polls Tax
rates raised raised
upon the properties of political leaders Voters sometimes
shift from the candidates Of party to another in the hope
Of obtaining relief but where parsanshp and corruption
hold the whip hand there is no relief.
In cities where the voters public service and honesty
Shead Of all other considerations the mayors familiar with
city problems may be efficient nonparan city
ayers Contracts let business basis and contractors
must deliver che goods business basis The public money
that is spent brings results
Free from all political enanglements and alliances and given
clear hand the city manager mighty useful Tax funds
honestly spent and tax rates held low possible in
keeping with progress and Identification
Mayors in these city manager municipalities become honorary
heads of their cities presiding the councils and
operating for the welfare of their cities Expenditures of
public monies taken out Of their hands The cs funds
rgdly controlled by the business manager who listens
not to the tempting voice Of spoilsmen and grafters
LOUIS BROWNL0W former Commissioner of the District
of Columbia has been city manager for about six years he
occupies that position in Knoxville Tenn. He got his
experience Of the heads of this city he recently
attracted widespread attention by refundng Knoxville
taxpayers of the money they paid in The assessments
had brought in funds than needed. The money
went back to the public, not into unclean hands
Colonel Sheriff. has had splendid experience in his position
In this city and he has the courage to resist improper in
fluences There is deserving compliment to Colonel
FRANKLIN BELL, Engineer Commissioner of the District
In the statement that Cincinnati officials have had him in mind
for manager in Colonel Sheriff. did accept Colonel
Bell is broadminded clean and incorrupbe His training
as engineer officer of the army coupled with his wide
experience here would make him the ideal of
city.