Some Reflections on the City Manager Plan of Government1

Mr. Upson has shown us very clearly what has been accomplished in practice under the city manager plan in Dayton. There are, however, some considerations in connection with the theory of the city manager plan which are worthy of attention, and I am glad that Professor Hatton touched upon the theory side in his remarks.I am an enthusiastic advocate of the city manager plan and we have several cities in Texas operating under that form and others now considering its adoption, largely as a result of the support given to the plan by our bureau of municipal research and reference. At the same time, I am not without some very grave misgivings as to how the plan will work out in practice because of the all important question of the kind of men who will be chosen for these places.Of course it is apparent that the men chosen must be chosen for their expert qualifications and not for political reasons. That is axiomatic. But it is to my mind almost equally important that the proper kind of qualifications be insisted upon. It is not enough that the city manager be a first class business man or manager in the ordinary sense. If he is no more than that I confess I do not look forward to much advance in municipal ideals and accomplishments under this new plan.