The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-04-15

With the European dictators seemingly becoming stronger day by day; with democracy practically non- -existant in Asia; with num- Der of South and Central American countries leaning towards dictator ships, the question is often asked these days "What can be done to prevent the downward trend of democracy in this country?"
 Numerous suggestions are con- stantly being made, and many of them are sound. Various worthy forms of social legislation are men, tioned, farm relief measures are advanced, methods of stimulating business are proposed, and so forth nearly all of which are directed to the attention of the Congress and President of the United States, at Washington. We would not detract from the importance of maintaining interest in the national government indeed, this is very healthy sign. On the other hand, however, most people are apt to overlook the fact that real democracy begins at home, Until we can remedy the abuses which have 2.cE'n up under our democratic iyS.cm in our cities and counties, it will be difficult to bring about much in the way of efficien- cy and economy in the higher fields of government.
 Final Appeal
 If our cities are misgoverned, ex- travagant and costly, it is inevitable that the states must be called upon to assist them. If the Sates are en- meshed in politics, unable to bear the full burden, then Uncle Sam is the final appeal. In the first ar- ticle of this series it was shown how the cost Of government has risen to a new high in Waterbury. and how the debt rate and tax rate have steadily been going higher and higher. It was also shown that the citizens of Waterbury are not get ting the services that their taxes entitle them to, and that relief funds have had to be curtailed, and wages of city employees reduced Plainly, Waterbury is loaded to the guards with politics, mismanage- ment, extravaganza and waste.
 There is not an American citizen, regardless of political party affilia- tions, who would not like to see the federal government structure reor- ganized ill the interests of efficien- cy and economy, nor who would not like to see the relief load placed on a more equitable basis between the local and national governments But with local government becom- ing more complex instead of more simple; and with the cost Of local government steadily rising, without producing adequate returns for the cost, how in. the world can Uncle Sam ever expect to be restored to his full vigor and health again?
 Bright Spot
 But there is bright spot on the horizon in America today. That bright spot is the newly awakened interest in local government which is sweeping the country from coast to coast. Made famous by the City of Cincinnati, which since 1926 has enjoyed the reputation of being the "best governed city in America" the "Cincinnati plan" of city manager proportional representation city charter is making rapid strides all over the country. In the cities which now use this form of government taxes have declined and debts have been reduced; services have been improved, politics eliminated from government, and new civic pride has been born. Today there are militant citizens organizations striving for this form of government from Prov idence on the Atlantic seaboard to Vancouver, B. 0. on the Pacific coast-including such notoriously mismanaged cities as Philadelphia and Chicago. Waterbury's opportu- nity to climb on the band wagon ot good government, and become the best governed city in New England is at hand. Let's not tumble the ball at this critical time, but, like ouI ancestors in 1776. strive for real democracy under the city manager proportional representation city charter, as proposed by the CGGA The purpose of this series of ar ticles has been to impress the read CT with the fact that there are three basis essentials which constitute the framework of the proposed charter These essential elements are: D the city manager plan of govern ment, whereby the structure oi government is streamlined accord ing to sound business principles, by making the task of the voter easy; by placing all responsibility for the affairs of the city. in the hands ot small elected city council; and by vestiug inc administrative authority in the hands of a non-political city manager. who, in turn. is responsible to the elected council; lO Propor'