The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-31

fight to obtain a resolution
calling for a constitutional
convention to give this city as
we'll as others in the state the
legal right to have home rule and
the city manager form of admins
tration of affairs.
Rebirth of the city manager fight.
which was punctured IN 1927 when
the state supreme court declared the
act permitting that type, of govern
ment unconstitutional, was seen as
coming with the conclusion Of the
administration of Mayor Reginald
H. Sullivan due to the splendid
financial condition of the city.
1t is the desire, according to The
Times informant, to keep the city
in its present condition of financial
balances and it is thought that the
coming meeting of the legislature Is
propitious time to strike.
Merit System Is Favored
It is believed that the movement.
which will incorporate many of the
young men of both political parties
as we'll as young business men, Will
have the direct approval of the bu-
reau of governmental research of
the Chamber of Commerce as we'll
as many business leaders in the
chamber.
William H. Book, the new man
aging director of the chamber,
when questioned regarding the
movement, admitted that the cham
Der as we'll as its governmental re-
search bureau favored "the merit
system in city government and the
rewarding of employees because OF
their work and capabilities.
Claude H. Anderson, chairman Of
the old indianapolis City Manager
League campaign committees, said
today that he would welcome a
movement to make it possible for
the city to have the managerial
form of government.
Plan Approved Once
ANY time is the right time to do
it. AS an attorney. 1 feel that 1t
will be necessary first to secure
adoption of a resolution by the
legislature calling for a constltu-
tional convention That resolution
must be approved by two legisla-
lures which would mean that a
referendum vote Of the people OF
the state could not be had until at
least the spring Of 1887
THE constitutional convention
Mr.. Anderson explained, then
could be called for the fall of 1887
or the spring of 1888 to amend the
Constitution to permit all cities of
Indiana TO have home-rule as in
the state of Ohio With this obsta-
Gle hurdled, 1t would be easy for
Indianapolis to set up its plan of
government under the law, make its
charter, and operate under the city
manager form"
In the fall of 1925 the city Of IN
dianapolis, by referendum vote OF
) to l, approved the city manager
plan.
Mr.. Anderson expressed the be-
lief that sentiment had not changed
materially since that time.
Hartsock to Back Drive
He pointed out that petition to
submit the question to the ballot
was filed with more than $4,000
signatures, while only approximate
" 10000 signatures were needed.
The supreme court ruled the man.
ager form out for the city on the
technical objection that the city
clerk could not determine whether
the signatures on the petition were
those Of legal voters and taxpayers.
Harvey 3. Hartsock. attorney, who
also oattled for the city manager
plan, said today that he would back
any movement that would take the
government out of a "spoils sys-
tenn"
1t is believed that those back of
the newborn city manager plan will
obtain promises from legislators
seeking election in Marion county
to back the proposed constitutional
convention resolution to permit
home rule" and the manager plan.