The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-01-04
al New Administration

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1T Ohm ii. DUVALL becomes mayor Of In
lL dianapolis today. Lew Shank retires to
the storage business, or to the vaudeville stage
Mayor Duvall takes Office amid political
%storms and differences. There is nothing I'M
usual about this situation. Harmony always
has been conspicuously absent when new
mayor has taken office. This is natural DIS
.appointed individuals always have outnum-
bered those who are pleased with the situa-
ton The reason is simply that il is impossi-
bile for the new mayor to favor more than a
few Of those who believe they deserve con-
sideration
But when the wheels start turning this
feeling will. die down and it will be succeeded
with more Of a spirit of cooperation. A ina
Sjority Of the voters who went to the polls Sc
lected Duvall to head the city government.
Under our political system, therefore, he is
looked upon as the choice of the citizens Of
Indianapolis to guide their public business af-
fairs for the next four years. AS such Duvall
observes the hearty support Of every citizen.
He starts with clean page. He should be
Judged only by what is written on that page
Mduring the next four years He should not be
pre- judged and no obstacles should be put in
the way Of a successful administration. His
task is hard one and he should have the
support Of the people whom he represents.
e The Times did not favor the election of
~Duvall, but we are willing to abide by the de-
cison of the majority. Of some of his APP
sspointments we approved To others we OBJ
jected. But the appointees, like the mayor,
1should be given every opportunity to give the
Ecity good administration. Only by their ac-
@tivties in office should they be judged.
III Duvall will be met with immediate diff
EQUITIES as he assumes his new duties. The
@Shank administration went out of its way to
make things hard for him. The politicians of
various factions insist they have claims that
must be fulfilled and to a certain extent the
new mayor is duty bound to fulfill them. Shank
has appointed numerous policemen in an obvi-
@ous effort to stack = the department with men
Aof his own choosing. BY all rules Of fairness,
%Duvall should have been permitted to make
these appointments. In addition, there is not
sufficient money to pay these policemen and
Ednder the law it is extremely difficult to re
sslnove them. This means that in the very first
month of his administration the new mayor will
he required to meet a very embarrassing stua-
tion through no fault Of his own
Y In the park department and in the health
department the new mayor also will be faced
with difficulties. Board members are insist
ling on keeping their jobs. There is considera-
4ble advantage Of continuing administration in
city departments Considerable harm can be
IL
%there is some argument in favor of the mayor
who insists that he must have men Of his own
choosing around him. After ALL the mayor is
the responsible head Of the city and the &C.
accomplishments or shortcomings of his admin
%stration are laid at his door
OF course, most Of the difficulties Of the
present situation are not due to individuals, but
ITO our present system of government, which
seems to be deliberately designed to prevent
seffciency and service to the public Any other
business than public business conducted I'M
der the same difficulties would rapidly 90 on
The rocks. AS things stand, anyone taking over
the direction Of the city government is ire
zmendously handicapped This is no more nor
less true of Duvall than Of other mayors.
In conclusion, we wish again to express
our sincere hope for the success Of the Duvall
administration and to add our equally sincere
hope that before the end of his term ,of Office
The people Of indianapolis will have so changed
their form Of government that in the future it
Saylll be possible for public officials to give more
consideration to the welfare of the city and
less to their obligations to politicians.
s.