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\ THE CLINTON CHRONICLE / Thursday, March 17, 1960 The Villain In The Piece The Essential Difference Concf-fn increases‘over the com petit Km of imported poods with Ajneriean products. In instance after instance! foreign makers are offerinp ex^llent articles at lower prices. The usual explanation for this is hiph American wajre costs. And that, of course, is a very hip factor indeed. But it is not the only factor. As Johi\ Chamherlain writes in Na tional Review, ohlolescent machinery plays a major role. 0 To quote him. . . obsolescent machinery is the main devil in many industries which are tryinp to vi>m{vte with European and Asiatic manufacturers. Obsolescence is prac tically puaranteeil by the tax laws which keep U. S. comp;inies from plowinp money back into a constant renovation of plant. Al- , most every other industrial power in the world makes it easv tax wise for manufactur- ers to invest in the latest productive equip ment. In Bnpland there are fast write-offs; in Germany corporations are relieved of the profits tax on money they invest in plant. And nowhere else in the world are investors penalized by the hiph capital pains tax which they have to pay in America.” Our pride in American technology and in dustrial efficiency seems to have led us to be lieve that wx>rld leadership is almost auto matically assured. It isn't—as the swellinp floods of successful imports show. And our crazy-quilt tax system, which jdmost forces mechanical obsolescence and makes new in vestment about as difficult as possible, is larpely the villain in the piece. In the lipht of Soviet boasts concerning Russia's productive achievements, and her propaganda campaign designed to persuade the world that before long she will outdo the 1'. S. and make a monkey out of the capitalist system, some information concerning Rus sian agriculture is interesting. Publisher Tom Anderson of Farm and Ranch magazine writes: "The American farmer produces enough, on drastically limit- o : acreage, for himself anti 20 others. The Russian farmer, under the prodding"bf his government overseers, produces only enough for himself and four others. The American farmer deserves great credit for his remark able production records. But' much credit also bekmgs to industry—to free, competi tive, profit-making companies vying with each other to produce the most efficient ma-- chinery. equipment and chemicals. Amer ican manufacturers of farm supplies work in close cooperation with farmers to get new ideas, to learn the farmers’ real needs, to learn what will sell at a profit. In Russia the bureaucrats make those decisions. What Mr. Anderson describes here, using farm equipment and other farm tools as an outstanding example, is the essential differ ence between the Russian system as against the American system. The first is, based on brute force—the second on incentive, induce ment, free and voluntary action. And, in all recorded history, the second has always tri umphed over the first. LOSERS WEEPERS! « . . . . . UH\OW , ' »'. * -r. V' Wa 3 Esswel T\ON J ALL OP OS Hukt*r CITY MANAGER (Continued From Page One) Biggest Tax Leak In 1959, 26 years after the repeal of Pro hibition. Federal agents! and police agencies seized 20.000 moonshine stills throughout the nation. Last year was not an extraordi nary one either for moonshiners or police men. An average of 20.000 illicit stills have i>een seized evbjry year since 1960. Moonshining brings in millions of dollars annually to crimanal syndicates—but noth ing to the government in tax revenue. Tax evasion by moonshiners is conservatively estimated at $750,000,000 a year. It is our biggest tax leak. The most practical method of stopping this leak has been advanced by Lewis S. Roeen- stiel. board chairman and president of Schen- ley Industries, Inc. Mr. Rosentiel suggested that the Federal government earmark one l>er cent of taxes paid by the licensed indus try to enforce "anti-moonshine” laws against the outlaw industry. Babson Discusses Summer Resort Property No Foreseeable Cure Scientific double-domes at the National Bureau of Standards announce a reduction of 70 parts per million in the atomic weight of silver. But don't let that throw you. What’s really picking your pocket is infla tion—with no foreseeable cure. Economist Louis Stone, partner in Hay den Stone & Co., warning of higher steel prices “regardless of political pledges to hold off until after the November elections,” says: "the dollar was worth 71.2 cents in 1946 compared with 1939: it is now worth only 47.3 cents and we figure that at the last 14 years rate of inflation the dollar will l>e worth<one plug nickel in the early part of 1986.*’ Those who expect to live that long should start throwing their weight around now. “Vive Le Progres ’ Americans are prone to assume that the talents of the French are confined to per fume, champagne and women’s fashions, but, let’s face it: French scientists have succeeded in pro ducing an atom bon making France one of only four nations ... the world to accom plish this feat. French aircraft designers have turned out a jet transport plane, the Caravelle, that tops anything in its class—a plane that U. S. air lines are buying and that a U. S. planemaker (Douglas) plans to build under license. French auto engineers, plus French man agement talent, have built that country's Renault works into the world’s sixth-largest motor car manufacturer — withja product good enough to attract nearly 100.000 buy ers last year in the U. S. alone. S<> it appears that the French are not only good {•orfumery makers, vintners and cou turiers . they are also topnotch scientists, en gineers and mass-production experts. Babson Park. Mass . March 17—It may seem strange to readers of my cotumn to see this subject When New England. Northern New York, Michigan, and other summer resorts are buried in two feet of ■ww, I. however, have definite reasons, as shown below , for writing under these wintry conditions. TIME TO BUY SUMMER fROPERTY Most people who are looking for a summer cot tage. especially for a place to spend July and August, wan until a hot day in June before looking around for a cool spot This is the height of foHy. as such prop erty »s always in greatest demand and sells at the highest price in June or July. The bargains always oc cur in March of April, and this will be especially true this year It also should be remembered that all classes of workers are getting longer vacations, longer week- tends, and more time for recreation generally. In addition, the popula tion of the country is coi^tantly in creasing. as is also—and most es pecially—the people's income. I have already commented that land is the best hedge against inflation. Certainly, a modest summer home ! should be a better investment than a “second car." It could even be a place of refuge in case of World **c«r W. BtbMB War III BUY WATER FRONTAGE IF POSSIBLE While the government can print more bonds and dollar bills, only God" can make more natural prop- eriy drained frontage on the ocean or on lakes or on tilvers. Although, in Florida and in some other places .artificial water frontage is being made by pumping out adjauung sand, yet this amount is infinitesimal, considering the waterfront already available. Even if you feel unable now to buy or build a summer home, you might well buy some land if it is property located. In the meantime, your children should be taught to fish and swim. r Although I personally prefer Cape Ann, Massa chusetts. as the finest spot in the nation for a summer home, yet I realize that many people feel better on mountain land in the summertime. 11118 especially appbes to those with asthmatic tendencies or chronic coughs Pine and spruce woodland is very agreeable to many Such land is gradually increasing in price as the trees grow When purchasing any kind of land, for a summer place, be sure to have electricity and :ek phone connections. Good, pure water can always be secured by drilling a well. Such wells should be free from contamination, and should be safe from fallout in the event of atomic war. Some civil defense audwnties claim that woodland partially protects against 'fallout dangers, but this has not been proved. IX)NT BUY SIGHT UNSSEN In closing, let me say a word to those who are look ing for winter homes or for all-year-round homes in the South or in California and the Southwest. Salesmen with maps and photographs should be treated court eously. but one Aould never buy a summer place or a winter home without first visiting the property. This is important in order to acquaint one's sdf not only with the land, elevation, etc., but also with the neighbors. Increases in property values depend large ly upon the neighbors It is also wise—although not essential—to get with in reasonable distance of a community with churches, schools, fine apartments, library facilities, and stores. 1 assume that every reader desiring a summer or win ter home has an automobile: but in addition, it is a gqod idea to be fairly near a bus route. If one bomb stoula be dropped accidentally on a Russian or Ameri can city by some psychotic aviator, it would be almost impossible for the average citizen not employed in defense work to get any gasoline The government will see (fast all living people get necessary, even if even scantily rationed, food—but their provision will not include gasokne CLINTON, S. C.. THURSDAY. M ARCH 17, 19M GJllP (Clinton (Chrnniclp EstaMWwd ISM Jaly 4. 1889 - WILLIAM WILSON HARRIS— Jut U. 1SS5 PL BUSHED EVERY THURSDAY BY THE CHRONICLE PUBLISHING COMPANY Subscription Rate (Payable in Advance) Out-of-County One Year $3.00, Six Months $2.00 One Year $4.00 Second Class Postage Paid at Clinton, S. C. The Chronicle seeks the cooperation of its subscribers and readers — the publisher will at all times appreciate wise suggestions and kindly advice. The Chraude wfll publish letters of general interest when they are not of a defamatory nature. Anonymous communiratinm will not be noticed. This paper is not responsible for the views or opinions of its Member: South Carolina Press . National Editorial Association AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION York. Chicago. Detroit, Philadelphia ized in the 1958-59 budget—$20,781 . 91. Thus for the fifth consecutive year under the budget system, die city has ended its fiscal year in the black with some to spare. By way of re view, our first surplus in 1955 was $30,376; 1956—$37,967; 1957-$64,- 873; 1958—$90,330. These surpluses have enabled the city to purchase many items of equipment and make many needed improvements. Dur ing this five-year period several ma jor projects have been undertaken and accomplished: (1) The city’s debt structure was improved (1954- 55) by regular monthly payments (which practice had been abandon, ed for tre- most part by previous administrations) into the sinking fund toward the retirement of the 1925 term bonds in the amount of $235,000 which became due in 1955. $100,000 of this amount was re-fund ed at a favorable interest rate. (2) A $200,000 electric system improve ment bond issue was approved by the people of Clinton and the im provements were completed in 1956. (3) The $30,000 in outstanding notes carried by the city over the a long period of time have been retired. (4) An emergency reservoir, costing more than $17,000, was constructed near the Duncan Creek reservoir as a supplement to it until the Enoree River project could be accomplish ed. (5) During 1956 the Thornwrfl Orphanage property was purchased 1 at a cost of $15,000, on which our modem filtering plant is located. (6) the new water filtering plant with a 16-inch Line to Enoree River, mak- 1 ing available 3.000.000 gallons of water daily, was completed during the past fiscal year with proceeds from a $1,150,000 revenue bond is sue. .Also included in this project were booster lines at strategic points in the city, greatly improving the water pressure. Many other projects, including a new fire truck, a new street sweeper, street depart ment trucks, water and light deport ment trucks and equipment, street improvements, as well as other mis cellaneous improvements have been taken care of during the 5-year pe riod. In spite of our success under our budget plan, it is my sincere belief that we can provide the people of our community with better '6nd more efficient services and receive more inTreturn for our tax dollar by going on the city manager plan. OPERATING CLINTON’S CITY GOVERNMET IS BIG BUSINESS Our budget today is more than $600,000 and can be expected to in crease as Clinton grows. That is big business and can be handled better in the public interest by a trained and experienced administrtor, rath er than by part-time elected offi cials, who, although devoted and sincere in their efforts, are not trained for municipal administration and cannot be expected to give the necessary time for good administra tion—and we know that the govern ment governs best which is admin istered best. DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES WILL BE PRESERVED AND STRENGTHENED I have heard the remark that in getting a city manager, Clinton would be getting a "dictator," which of course is idle chatter and utterly untrue. Actually the council-man. ager plan preserves and strength ens the democratic process. It is most democratic—that is democrat- ci with a little “d." It is a ample; business like way of making major ity rule realty work. It conforms 4o the sound principle that policy makers should be elected and skill ed administrators appointed. Under the plan we would still have an elected mayor and elected council as the administrator. If the who would select the city er fails to make good, the coundl can fire him forthwith. If the poH- ctee, as promulgated by the elected mayor and council, do not meet with public endorsement, the voters can fire them «t the next alection. WHAT IS THE CITY MANAGER PLAN? U) The unification of authority and political responsibility in (fee tJrocvsu council pronoea over oy ldc elected mayor. N (2) CentroMmtfon of trie TmpoerihilHy hi a ed by the council. The council (de termines all municipal policies, adopts ordinances, approves the budget, and appoints the chief ad- ministator or city manager. The council is the governing body of the city, and the city manager is its agent carrying out the policies which the council determines. It is understood that the council deals with administration only in a formal manner through the city manager, that administrative functions are at no time delegated to committees or to committees or to individual members of the council, and that department heads are selected and directed by the city manager. The city manager plan can be compared with the way in which our schools are operated. The people elect trustees who in turn, appoint a trained administrative educator as superintendent to preside over the school system. It would be fool ish indeed to entertain the thought of electing school supenntnedents We might also compare the city manager plan to the operational structure of a large business cor poration. The individual stockhold ers (corresponding to the people in a cky election) elect the members of the board of directors, who in turn elect a president or adminis trative head, who is responsible for the successful operation of the busi ness NOT A NEW IDEA, SUMTER, S. C.. ADOPTED IT 48 YEARS AGO The cky manager for mof govern ment. though new to many people in Clinton, is not new on the American scene About 31,000,000 Americans live in communities which have the plan, a long stride since 1912 when Sumter, South Carolina, became the first town in the world to try it. Incidentally the population of the city of Sumter in 1950 was 20,185 compared with Clinton’s population of 7.168. In my time I can remem ber when Sumter and Clinton were towns of almost comparable popu lation. It is altogether possible that the progressive and business-like ad ministrations under the city man. ager plan at Sumter during the past 48 years have been a factor in its phenomenal growth. The plan is working with equal success in small villages and in a city as large as Cincinnati with a population of 503,998 A total of 1,- 601 municipalities were operating under the council-manager plan in 1969 With Sumter leading the way, fif teen South Carolina towns and cities are now operating with city manag ers, including Aiken, Beaufort, Camden, Chester, Columbia, Flor ence, Greenville, our neighboring towns of Greenwood and Newberry, Lake City, Lancaster. Rock Hill, Spartanburg and Winnsboro. QUALIFIED, TRAINED, MUNICI PAL ADMINISTRATOR ESSENTIAL The possibility of a large salary for the city manager has been a matter of concern to some of our ritriens. And at this point let me say that the eslection of a good, qualified, trained municipal admin istrator will be the secret of the sue. cesk of our city manager plan when it is adopted—as I fed confident that it will be. The city manager is a professionally trained person. We should no (expect to find an expert city manager in a bargain base ment. The current median salary of managers in places of 5,000 to 10,- 000 in population is $6,755, but we shall likely have to pay more to at tract the man we want. Examples of salaries of city managers in South Carolina are: Sumter—$9,200; New berry—$8.0P0; Greenwood — $0,900; Aiken—$8,400; and Camden—$8,- >80. An able administrator is worth every penny he gets. Experience has prerrod in praotfealy every dty where the plan has be that several times (fee salary has been saved first year from to the people of community Incidentally 82% of the in office In the United In or AND tom to the idea thus for. There have been requests from those unfemHiar with the plan for more information eo that they may form an intdli- eent decision. That is understand able Unfortunately it has come to I my attention that certain misin formed city employees have ex pressed hostile ideas with regard to the merits of the plan. This is a na’ural development and follows' the pattern of all pre-city manager elections. There is always a ten. dency among some people who have not informed themselves of a given | :hange to resist any, change in the status quo*. I take no offeree at this attitude, but 1 am disappointed that some city employees are taking time from their work to talk aganist a plan which many of us, including the unanimous sentiment of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, feel is m the interest of the taxpayers, the general public, and our faithful, devoted city employees themselves. Certainly the chairman of the Council’s Finance Committee who wrote the budget increasing the pay of all city employees 10% in 1955, 5% ’in 1957, and 9% in 1959, and who stiH feels that our city employees are underpaid, and is working for improvements along this line—cer tainly would not advocate a measure that would be detrimental to our city employees. Rumors that whole sale dismissals, elimination of vol unteer firemen’s compensation, and such tommy rot, are without foun dation. CITY EMPLOYEES STAND TO GET A BREAE On the contrary a recent nation wide survey showed that city em ployees almost invariably gained in pay and security when the city man ager plan was established. In most instances increased ‘rfferifff and fringe benefits, such as systematiz ed pension systems, side leaves, better working conditions, and chances for training and improved status result ADMINISTRATION OF NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRES TRAINED ADMINISTRATOR If Clinton is to grow and be m a position to attract new industries, it mut set itself to the task of solving several basic problems in the im mediate future as funds can be made available. These complex and long-range problems will involve the expenditure of large sums of money and should have the attention of a trained Administrator to direct the multiple phases of the planning and execution of the projects, lows; 1. Extending the city's sewer lines to serve all areas of Clinton. These projects I would list as fol- 2. Construction of a modern and adequate sewage disposal plant. 3. A comprehensive and meaning ful zoning plan for the city. 4. Extension of the .city limitr ind providing the necessary services to these new citizens 5. A street paving program that will get hundreds of our citizens white and cclored. out of the mud aif^l dust. ft Centralized purchasing for all city departments. From my;six years of experience as a member of the council ami chairman of the finance committee, I am convinced that oiVbegular and normal city services, in Ihddition to these needed improvements, can be best administered and more eco nomically administered by a trained municipal administrator whose full time and know-how can be devoted to the task. As a native Clintonian, son of a former Clinton mayor, and a de scendant of people who settled near Clinton more than 200 years ago, I would not recommend to the people of Clinton a measure that would be detrimental to the people of my home town. 1 commend the city manager plan to your careful arj| thoughiLfiil coraidrratoin My Neighbor! y T □ <©r-' "Why take vitamins? They just make you feel better so you can worry about taxes harder!” hew** , PLASTIC COATED CARDS o78/Z7§7?7? *r/‘M h- B' L. 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