The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-09

Civic gropus in towns which have found the city manager form of government profitable are not back ward in telling about their own particular advantages. Reading this. the tenth in the series of articles on the subject, one can find out what is being accomplished in those communities, sold on the plan. ARTICLE x
 The Manager Plan is Remaking k Local Governments Manager Plan Supporters Business and the Professions
 Good government is profitable for everybody. The. city manager plan, which almost invariably means good government, likewise has no special class benefits or class angles. A city manager government is unlikely to waste tax money-and this is important to all, for every one pays taxes to local government. A recent study found that middle class families with small incomes pays out at least six percent of their income in taxes to city governments. This means that they work about three weeks every year to support local governments.
 But good city manager govern ment not only saves money. It also spends wisely, for more service. And the ordinary citizen who needs hospitals, schools, good streets, po- lice and fire protection the half hundred services performed by the local government-is vitally benefited by increased efficiency and service given by good govern ment.
 Here are some illustrations of the support which business and pro- fessional groups are giving the city manager plan in cities which op- crate under that form of govern ment.
 Fort Worth, Tex: Says Jack H. Holt, manager of the Forth Worth Chamber of Commerce: 'The City of Fort Worth adopted a new char ter in 1925. Prior to that time the city had suffered under politically controlled and often sadly mis- managed city government. Under the new charter, the council mana ger form of government was install- ed. Nine outstanding business and professional leaders were elected to the Council, and they in turn, elect ed mayor from among their num- Der and also elected competent city manager.
 Every department of the city government was reorganized and placed on a business basis. Politics were completely eliminated. In the succeeding eight years, long de- ferred and badly needed improve ments were made possible through the many economies effected through business like administra- ton of the various city departments.
 we believe that vast majority of the intelligent straight think ing citizens of Fort Worth are thoroughly sold on our present form of government and we further be- lieve that there are very few, if any, cities in the country whose affairs are better administered"
 Toledo, Ohio: Grove Patterson, editor of the Toledo Blade, wrote, Toledo has the finest city govern ment by far that we had ever had. Politics has practically been elimin- ated from the city hall. The budget has been balanced and the city manager is just now restoring salaries which were cut during the depression. After 6 years trial, we are enthusiastic for the city mana ger form of government in compari- son with the old large ward council plan."
 Rochester, N. Y., Professor Alonzo c. Grace of the College of Arts and Science of the University of Roch- ester said: Rochester would not think of abandoning the city man. ager form of government. It is a most efficient and effective manner of conducting municipal affairs. We have had, In my judgment. a genu- inc business management of our local government"
 Oklahoma City, Okla: Ray Mo- Lain of the American First Trust