The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-04-04

The city manager plan FOR Indi-
annapolis is being advocated by a
Citizens Complittee of 1000. Peti-
uons asking t ,e city council to call
a special electl IN on changing from
the present Fm Of government
headed by a politically controlled
mayor are being circulated.
II indianapolis votes to adopt the
CITY manager system, the people
will be called eh to eject city
council. The co incil hires a busi-
ness man to ra4H, the city's business
on q business and not political
oasis.
Here are b,ne of the replies to
inquiries t At 30 cities which have
adopted 8 city nsrager idea. Not
Tu ur ,ecrable answer was re-
ID.
Phoenix, Ariz.
This rep-g came from Phoenix,
Ariz., mich has had a city man
ager since Ms 'ch, 1914:
Business Aen of the city Of
Phoenix have for years voiced the
opinion unanimously that under no
consideration would they return to
the old style of government, now
that the city manager plan has been
in force for years. 1t has had a
decided ef ect in lowering taxes,
eliminate { aft, increasing eff
cheney : p' ,Ace and fire depart
ments Atl as enabled this city to
be run on a strictly business basis,
instead or at the mercy Of politicians.
People from the East, spending win
ters Fere, marvel at the efficiency
Of ou city government.
"Ph snix Chamber of Commerce.
II. B WATKINS, General Man
ager.'
This from Portland, Maine, which
has ha a city manager since 1923:
"Col il manager plan. Five
council s ana manager giving our
city a business administration, lower
taxes, better police and fire service
and commc nsense budget. Politi-
clans disgusted business men well
pleased, everybody happy.
"E. II. M'DONALD,
Executive Secretary Of Portland
Chamber of Commerce.
KensOha, Wis.
The following came from Kenosha,
Wis, which has had the city man.
ager form of government since
April, 1922:
Business men and honest politi-
clans heartily favor manager plan.
Per capitN cost of operation reduced
21 per cent. All departments more
efficient a ID operated on even less
than budget allowed. Value received
.for all taxes. Department heads
nave to produce or get out.
&C. A. POPE,
president Kenosha Retailers Asso-
ciation."
Sacramento, Cal. which has been
governed by a city manager since
June, 1921:
Business men OF Sacramento
generally are heartily in favor of
city manager plan. Tax rate has
been reduced each year since it's in
auguration. Police and other de-
partments are more effective. Great
err program Of improvements carried
on more economically during three
years since manager government
than during any ten-year period
previously. Manager plan has gone
a long way toward eliminating
politics in city government.
Sacramento Chamber of Com
merce.
Knoxville Pleased
Knoxville. Tenn. which has had a
city manager government since
February. 1923, sends the following
enthusiastic testimonials
City manager government won
derfully successfully. Politics re-
placed by business efficiency. More
street work done at lower expendi-
ture. New civic center and park es-
tablished in uptown district. Real
health department established Mod
ern accounting system shows daily
condition OF every department. Old
administration had spent sums re-
curing tax rate of $2,93, but levied
tax of only $1.90, leaving tremendous
floating debt. Tax date now is $210
of which so cents is for interest and
sinking fun on old debt, 40 cents for
schools, 2 cents for public library,
leaving only $1.02 for general city
/. purposes.
Ten per cent of last years taxes
Infunded to tax payers. Police de-
partment under civil service, great
Improvements in efficiency with
practically no change In personnel
Budget and sinking fund previously
existed only in theory, but now are
realities. New government which
was adopted by three TO one MAJ