The Bozeman courier., 1927-12-30
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phatic, and in most instances unfavor-
able. The purported intention of the
two members of the board to make
virtually clean sweep at the city
hall has aroused much antagonism.
Commendation of Mr.. Browns atti-
tude has generally been heard, al
though some assert that the commits
sioners-to-be are acting within their
rights.
In his statement Mr.. Brown de-
clared that shortly after the election
he was led to believe by Mr.. Sweet
and Mr.. Purdy that he would be re-
tanned as city manager, Snd for that
reason made no plans for the future.
"Some time after election, Mr. Brown
continued, Il was informed by Mr.
Sweet and Mr.. Purdy that they would
expect some changes in the city en-
ployes.
Il explained TO them that the idea
Of the commission-manager plan of
government was to give the city
strictly business government, and
that the commissioner-man law
provides that the city manager shall
appoint all employees with the excep-
tion of the police magistrate, the clerk
Of the commission, and the members
Of the park, library, cemetery, recrea-
ton and plumbing boards"
MIR. Brown then cited Section 5456
of the Montana Revised Codes defin-
ing the powers and duties of city
manager" and continued;
Six To Be "FIreG"
with the full understanding Of the
law, and a knowledge of the fact that
the present city employees are salts
| factory to me, Mr.. Sweet and Mr..
| Purdv a short time ago presented me
with a list of the employees l was eX-
pected to remove, and the names Of
those who would take their positions.
l was to remove George D. Pease,
city attorney, and appoint Justin M.
Smith; DR.. G. f. Jump, health officer,
and appoint DR.. Piedalue; Mrs. May
Butts, cashier, and appoint Kathleen
Buzard; Albert Melton, street COM
missioner, and appoint J. D. Hughes (;
C.. H. Hollingsworth, janitor and jail
or, and appoint Charles Heageny; H.
NJ Stanley, night watchman, and ap-
point j. P. McCay.
Il informed Mr.. Sweet and Mr..
Purdy that they were under no OBJ
! legations to me whatever, and it was
their privilege to appoint me or not,
as they saw fit, but that if / were
appointed, / would reserve the right
to make my own appointments, as
the law provides, and would make no
promises.
''The next I knew of the matter
was when / read the article in the
Chronicle Tuesday morning. / am
taking this opportunity to correct the
statement that / am resigning. Such
is not the case. Mr.. Sweet and Mr.
Purdy were informed by me that
am willing to hold the position of city
manager as long as / have the right
as provided by law to make my Owr
appointments.
"As far as / know the only reason
for my dismissal is the fact that
would not be dictated to in this mat
ter.
Matter of Principle
"To my mind, the fact that I an
not to be reappointed as city man
ager is not a matter of great concern
The important matter concerning th
people of BOzeman has to do with tn
retaining of the manager form o
government in spirit as we'll as il
form.
"The citizens of Bozeman no doub
adopted this form of government i
, good faith, with the idea in mind tha
the manager would not be hampere
in endeavoring to administer the cit
affairs from the standpoint of busi
, ness efficiency. 1t is my belief tina
. if the city manager is to be used a
puppet to do as directed by the cit
commission as to his appointment:
. the efficiency of the government wi
be greatly decreased, and the idea 0
a cOmmission-manager form of gov
E ernment greatly abridged.
"The city manager should be pei
mitted to handle his position in
: manner contemplated bv law, rathe
! than made the subject for the distr
: button of political spoils as of old.
: Evidently, ] am about to be II
ieved as city manager, but / wish t
: take this opportunity to thank tn
: present city commission for their al
and encouragement, the heads of a
: departments, and all city employee
= for their efficiency and courtesy Z
: all times, the citizens of Bozeman i
! general, and the business men in pal
: ticular, for their assistance at a
: times, all contributing to the goo
! feeling that has existed during thi
y administration. 1t has been a re;
pleasure to be of service, and hav
. endeavored to serve the people of tn
y city to the best Of my ability"
: Mr.. Hill Disapproves
: Mayor-elect Hills statement on til
g case was forceful and to the poin
II He said:
Il want the people of Bozeman /
# know that / am not in favor of Sc
; 1aeting some one else as city manage
h to take the place Of Fred Brown.
i HE has made a most efficien
/ courteous. ard valuable public off
: cial and has saved the City of Boz,
d man thousands Of dollars by his III
e tiring efforts and good business iud,
g ment.
g I believe ne should be allowed
exercise the privilege cf making h