The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-12-07
SEEK LAW TO
BAN MACHINE
CITY MANAGER
Proportional Representation
Scheme Is Designed to
Defeat Politicians.
NEW VOTING SYSTEM
p. r. Plan Permits Ballots
for First, Second and
Third Choices.

10 prevent political machines
from obtaining control of the city
manager form of government
amendment of the Indiana city
manager law to provide proportion
al representation appeared increas-
tngly probable today.
This important change in the law
under which the Indianapolis city
manager election will be conduct
ed next November was approved
tentatively Thursday by the execu-
tive committee of the Indianapolis
City Manager League.
Final decision on Incorporating
proportional representation in the
amendments to be sought in the
legislature convening Jan. 10 will
follow a joint meeting of the
leagues legislative committee and
the Marion county legislative dele
cation at the Chamber of Com
merce at 6 p. m. next Tuesday.
State senators and representatives
from Marion county will be given
an opportunity to express their ap-
proval or disfavor of the plan. Their
attitude is regarded problematical,
inasmuch as the "P. r." system of
voting, in practice, has proven to
be the nemesis of the machine po-
litician."
System Widely Used
Under the "P. r." plan, each voter
is permitted to express first choice
among the candidates for city COM
missioner, and second, third and
subsequent choices. The system is
easy for the voter, and is described
as "fool-proof," but renders count
ing Of the ballots slow and difficult.
The system is widely used and has
the Endorsement of students of pol
ttics and government It was de-
veloped to eliminate corruption in
elections and to insure representa-
ton for the minority.
Advantages Claimed
Advantages claimed for the "P. r. I"
system include:
Elimination of the trouble and ex-
perlse of primaries.
It reduces incentives to corruption
by making it impossible for a few
crucial votes in close districts to turn
the scale.
1t makes the representation of
localities as such possible, but not
compulsory.
It lets the voters, with very few
exceptions, share equally in electing
the body which levies and spends
the taxes of all.
It conduces to steady progress in
stead of to vacillation between ex-
tremes.
1t tends to allay social unrst by
giving fair hearing to all elements.
1t provides the basis for greater
efficiency of administration; coun-
Gil or commission elected by it is
fit to be intrusted with the selection
and oversight of the chief admins
traitor, thus providing a democratic
basis for the manager plan of gov
ernment.
Study Plan for Weeks
Some apprehension was apparent
in city manager ranks here that
proposal of the amendment might
reopen the legislative feud on the
city manager law so as to endanger
other minor amendments needed, If
not the whole structure of the law
as it now stands.
Tentative approval given the pro-
posed amendment Thursday was the
outgrowth of weeks of study and
conferences of the city manager
league, Claude A. Anderson, secre-
tary of the executive and legislative
committees said.
"The proportional representation
system is a forward step, and the
committee feels that it's incorpora-
ton in the Indiana law before the
manager plan becomes effective
here, would protect and insure the
success of the city manager govern
ment," he said.
A rough draft of the proposed
amendment is being prepared for
the consideration Of the legislators
next week. Legislative committee
members of the league who will
meet with them are: Anderson,
Mrs. George Finfrock; w. H. In
slew, Sol Schloss, Harvey Hartsack,
Mrs. Christian Olsen and E. o.
Snethen.
EHAn co nEAn IM AAIAIE