Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 March 1918 — HOME TOWN HELPS [ARTICLE]

HOME TOWN HELPS

CITY MANAGERS IN ILLINOIS Plan Is Growing In Favor—Eight States Now Have Laws Dealing With the Matter. Glencoe and Winnetka have operated successfully for some time under the city management plan, in spite of handicaps. They have felt the need of specific statutory authority and have been somewhat embarrassed by the presence of certain elected minor officials who are not under the jurisdiction of the village trustees. For thia reason many cities and villages wish to adopt the commissioner manager form of government. The plan is to be made applicable to cities or villages not exceeding 500,000 population—that is, to all municipalities of the state except Chicago. Under its terms the city or village council would consist of the mayor and four commissioners, to be elected. All administrative and executive powers would vest in a city manager appoint'ed by the council for an indefinite term at compensation filed by the council and subject to removal at the council’s pleasure. Eight states now have laws of this sort in successful operation. They include New York, Massachusetts, lowa, Michigan, Ohio and Kansas. Notable Instances of successful use of the manager system fire found in Dayton and Springfield, 0., and Niagara Falls, N. Y. Only one feature appears to vex the student of municipal government. This relates to the payment of a salary to the, mayor, whose functions would be largely ceremonial —although he is to be a member of the council and its presiding officer and fees to the other four commissioners for each meeting attended and for time spent on city committee work. Yet it is quite possible that the absence of such emoluments would tend to make for these positions men of high class and marked ability.—Chicago Daily News.