Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-01
THE CONFERENCE Or MAYORS.
II strikes a Rock That Some Think
MAY Wreck 1t.

COLUMBUS, o.. September 30.-By It's
action this afternoon, in the election of
permanent executive secretary, the con-
ference Of mayors struck the rock which,
in the opinion of many of its most con-
servative and far-seeing members, Sc
riously threatens it's possibilities for use
fuIness. and may wreck it absolutely at
the start.
B. f. Gilkison, publisher of City Gov
ernment, was the recipient Of the honor,
and in the introduction of Mr.. Gilkin-
son by Mayor Green. of Binghamton, n.
Y, II was declared that If his candidacy
should provoke any considerable opposi-
tion, il would be withdrawn In the inte-
rest of harmony. At midnight. however,
Mr.. Gilkison had not resigned the Office.
There is no objection to Gilkison on
account of character or ability. but there
is an idea that the organization would
be hopelessly tied up to his publication
and all its uttetances.
The fight was a sharp one, and In
tensely exciting at times. IT was pre-
cipitated early in the session, when the
constitution was under consideration.
I fourth article provides that all the
ofiIcers except the secretary shall be Off
GERS OF a municipality holding member
ship in the organization. Mayor Quincy,
of Boston, moved to strike out the ex-
ception-and the fight was on. He made
strong. earnest, and eloquent protest
against linking this league of municipali-
ties with any mans business. or lending
its influence to the furtherance of his
personal interests.
Mayor Quincy was ably supported by
Mayor Jones. of Toledo, o., and Alder
man John w. ID. Arey, of Joliet Ill.
THE NEW NAME.
The constitution provides that the name
of the mayors organization shall oe the
League of American Municipalities. Its
objects are the general improvement and
facilitation of every branch of munich
pal administration by the following
means:
l. The perpetuation Of the organization
as an agency in the cooperation or
American cities for the practical study of
all questions pertaining TO municipal ad-
ministration.
g. The holding of annual conventions for
the discussion of contemporaneous az
fairs
3. The establishment and maintenance
Of a central bureau of information, for
the collection. compilation, and dissemi-
nalOn OF STATISTICS, reports, ana ali KINDS
of information relative to municipal gov
ernment.
Any municipality in the United States
or Canada may become a member, the
annual membership fees being as follows:
Cities under 5000 population $50; between
q, 900 and 50.C00. $780, between 5000 and
100000, $40; between 10000 and 10000, s55;
over 100000. $50.
On the questions Of the election of Off
GERS and the selection of time and place
for the annual meetings, every member
shall be entitled to one vote, which shall
be the majority expression OF the mem
bers delegation; on ali other questions,
the vote OF a majority Of the delegates
shall control.
Mayor John McVickar, Of Des Moines.
Ia, was elected president: Mayor Collier,
of Atlanta. vice-president; Mayor Black.
Of Columbus treasurer, and the following
trustees were chosen: Mayor Warner,
Peoria. ILL.,; Councilman Walker. Trenton,
n. j.. Councilman Rand, Minneapolis.
Detroit. Mich. vas chosen as the next
place Of meeting.
At the night session q number of in
teresting papers were read. "Municipal
Ownership will be discussed tomorrow.