Daily Kennebec Journal

New Manager of City of Portland Talks About Job

Portland, Dec. 15.-A genial, mild-mannered man of action and few words sits in the chair of the chief executive of the city of Portland as city manager. He is Harry A. Brinkerhoff of Rutherford, N. J., a consulting engineer of considerable fame in his profession, who was sought by the position and who assumed his duties here yesterday morning.

His election a week ago came as a distinct surprise to citizens of the city, some of whom expected to see a local man assume the reins of the new council manager form of government and others, used to the old political term of government, expecting to have a long wait before the city manager's appointment was announced.

Citizens who thus far have seen and talked with Mr. Brinkerhoff are practically unanimous, however, in praising the quick action of the five city councillors in choosing this executive, while he was available, at a salary of $10,000 annually. He has made a good impression among all who have met him, and the general public has developed much more confidence in the new form of government in the belief that here, in Mr. Brinkerhoff, is a man who cannot be swayed by petty politicians, and who is a fit companion for the council.

This city manager is nearly 6 feet tall and weighs about 170 pounds. His complexion is ruddy and his face broad and good-natured in appearance. His mouth is firm, but easily excited to laughter. His hair is iron gray, with white at the temples, closely cropped at the sides, and parted carefully in the middle. He is a good listener. He proved that yesterday when the subordinate officials of the city, all hopeful and fearful of appointment by him, trooped through his office in review. They all had something to say. And they all received pleasant words of encouragement from the new executive. He leaned way back in his swivel chair, his hand to his chin sometimes and again toying with his horn rimmed spectacles. He looked each and every one of them square in the eyes.

That seemed to be one of his outstanding habits. And when he laughed, as he often did, he leaned his head far back. He impresses one as a man who would much rather listen than talk and who would be thinking in rapid accompaniment to every word he heard. He is exceedingly pleasant to talk to, is suave, and has a low, well-modulated voice.

Mr. Brinkerhoff has never had any political experience. Many leading citizens think that is very well, for the new form of government is designed to be non-partisan, and politics is taboo in Portland now, officially at least.

"The way I look at this new experience of mine," he said, "is that the board of directors of a big corporation or plant has called on me to do a certain job in efficient manner. And I am going to try to do it well.

I might be called an independent in politics. I voted for Cleveland, Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson and Harding, whoever I thought was best man.

"I don't care to announce any policies of the new government just now. Perhaps we have not had time enough to formulate them. There is one thing that might be called a policy, however, and that is the determination not to make any appointments without proceeding in a very cautious manner. I want to look over the ground carefully before subordinate officials are chosen, if changes are made."

Mr. Brinkerhoff was born in Rutherford, N. J., 52 years ago, son of the late Andrew H. Brinkerhoff, mayor there two terms, and one of a long company of ancestors dating back to 1600, when a Brinkerhoff came to New Jersey from Holland. He has been married 23 years and has two daughters. All the members of the family are affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford.

Golf is Mr. Brinkerhoff's principal recreation, and as a member of the Yountakah Country Club of Nutley, N. J., he has had much exercise in the ancient game. "I am hardly a golfer. You might say I play at the game," Mr. Brinkerhoff declares.