the short ballot which concentrates the minds of the voters on a few men whose fitness for office is the only con- sideration; (2) a few persons spending all of their time in the interests of the city's business will accomplish better results than a large number of persons each spending but a small portion of his time in the city's interest; and (3) by concentrating power and responsibility in the hands of a few who are held strictly accountable for the conduct of the city's affairs the ends of good government are better and more easily attained than by dividing and scattering responsibility among a large number responsible to no one.
The City Manager Plan.This is the most recent and apparently the most popular municipal reform. In 1915 the General Assembly of Iowa permitted the cities of Iowa to adopt this plan. In fact, two different City Manager Acts were passed. The first provides that cities and towns, except those under commission form of government and those of over 25,000 inhabitants, may by ordinance create the office of City Manager and fix his duties, powers, and compensation. The Manager is appointed by a majority vote of the Council and holds his office at their pleasure. When appointed the Manager performs the duties formerly incumbent upon the Street Commissioner, Manager of Public Utilities, Cemetery Sexton, City Clerk, and Superintendent of Markets. He also superintends and inspects all improvements and work upon the streets, alleys, sewers, and public grounds of the city or town, and performs such other duties as the Council may impose upon him. This type of City Manager Plan is supposed to be
