The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-28
Council Of "Yes" Men
 Supports City Manager
Proposed Charter Contrary to Principles of Majority
 Rule Declares Senator Culhane in Radio Address

Provision in the city manager charter that the members of the city council are mot to interfere in administration" makes the election of councilmen by the people virtually useless, declared Senator George T. Culhane in radio address last night. This provision, he said, would make for a council of "yes" men, who would not reflect the will of the cit- izens of Waterbury.
 Senator Culhane made another attack on the Proportional Repre- sentation system of voting, declar- ing that it was against the principles of majority rule. He also criticized the charter sections concerning pen sions, the status of teachers, and conditions for the removal of coun- cilmen.
 Senator Culhane stated that the city manager charter, not he, is the issue in the campaign, and called on the voters to make their choice intelligently at the referendum next Tuesday.
 Position Unchanged
 Some excerpts from Senator Cul- hane's address follow:
 Two years ago I campaigned for good government, honest govern ment, and efficient government. My position has not changed. My charges during that campaign were proven to be correct. was the one who told you how deplorable the condi- tions were. You were not then told of those conditions by the Good Government association or any of its members. Where were they hid ing? You answer that, MT. White. Why didn't they come out in the open then and help in our fight? Where was their civic pride that they tell you about today?
 The proponents of the City Man ager form of government would have you become despaired over your fu- ture in this city. Don't let them fool you. Don't let these professional propagandists mislead you. Don't allow them to "sell" you something that you will regret as long as you live.
 Yes, we are the ones to suffer. The professional salesmen who are trying to sell you 8 City Manager will leave this city and will try to sell their City Manager plan to an- other unsuspecting public. We will have to continue to live here.
 Under the City Manager charter no present employe Is sure of re- taining his position. Persons from outside the city of Waterbury would be allowed. to secure the positions in our government.
 Personnel Director
 Under section 196 the personnel director has the power to-I quote make transfers, promotions, demo- tions, retirements, or removals effect ed through the cooperation of ap- pointing authorities in the interest of economy" He can abolish any position in the city government.
 This only goes to prove what l have already told you. City employees can be thrown out of their positions with no difficulty whatsoever. Posi- tions can be abolished, and new po- sitions created at will.
 Section 46 is an insult to the in- telligence of the voters of this city. This section provides, among other things-I quote Council not to in- terfere in administration" In other words, the board of aldermen that you would vote for become puppets They would be ives men" and ] think am correct in assuming that we all have seen enough ives men. We want no more of them in our city government.
 This same section goes on to state -'The council and its members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the city manager, and neither the council nor any mem- Der thereof shall give orders to any subordinate of the city manager either publicly or privately. Now I charge the city manager plan is not democratic-that it does away with the electing of officials by majority vote. that 1t concentrates too much power in the hands of one individual and that it lends itself to the manipulation of clever mi- nority holding the key to its suc- cessful operation.
 There Is another matter that should receive your serious consid- eration-that is, how will we get rid of the city manager plan once 1t is adopted, if 1t proves unavoidable. Why, go to the legislature and have it thrown out. you say. Go slowly, my friends. Not as simple as t sounds.
 Knows the Answers Remember that the city manager belongs to . national association of , city managers who know all the