New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-26
WOULD IA YEA NEW CHARTER
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMITTEE
ADVISES EXTENDING LIFE OF
PRESENT COMMISSION.

Charles Stewart Smith. ]. Kennedy Tod and
George Foster Peabody. members Of sub-com-
mtttee Of the Executive Committee OF the Cham
Der Of Commerce, have sent TO George l. Rives.
chairman OF the Charter Revision Commission.
letter expressing their views TO changes in the
charter Mr.. Rives recently asked for the opinion
Of the Chamber of Commerce as 10 charter amend
ments to be recommended by the Charter Revision
Commission. and the Executive Comm Ittee re-
terred his letter TO the sub-con mittee. The cum
oersome details Of the present charter referred
TO in the subcommittee letter, which then says
luminous document sbon9 1Si1 70 tb bo ms Ibirg
ouf. tbat ~, sIl,iz t We 'IS ~lo'e tliIs
conclSely as possible, -he fundamental principles
which should govern great municipality ike
panied oy series OF bills in conformity with its
provisions This Of course. would involve i'm
mense labor: the necessary result OF which must
Dc the eodIfying Of all the laws relating 70 the
the government Of greater New-York
The subcommittee advises the adoption Of
amendments that may he pressing and an appeal
TO the Legislature to extend the life Of the Com
mission for another year and to provide ap-
preparation OF money sufficient for a codihcation
Of laws which must be amended to agree with the
revised charter It is declared that it Is better
live another year under the existing charter than
to accept revised charter that is not thoroughly
revised. II is suggested that suitable pecuniary
enumeration should be rendered to the Charter
Revision Commission and that it's Of office
to this city under which 1t be governed for
quarter of century without essential mOdihca-
ton" The specific questions OF Mr.. Rives as 10
charter changes are replied to as follows:
First. as to the Mayors Term Of ONCE and
Mayors term of office should be for four years
and that he should have power during MS term o.
absolutely as the president OF bank would remove
clerk whom he considered incompetent ana that
he should be Ineligible for reelection.
Second, the Legislative observation-disclosures COM
Assembly. and that any resident OF the city Of
New-YoTk should be eligible for membership in
If district representation be provided
mittee believes that the city should own its water
supply and should acquire. II II can be done
the city' The experience of municipal govern
ments in Great Britain abundantly proves that
such ownership has tended to the public welfare
Fourth. TO the Department OF Educatlor--
Under the administration OF Mayor 9 1 rnTre
was an immense improvement In us Oepartne.le'
ard If we could go back to the efficient manage
many of the evils complained OF could be remedied
1t is evident however. that ii should be adapted
some amendments necessary In this regard
Fifth the Board OF Estimate anu 3PPoE pm f
years past done good work. II Is DANGEROUS, 10
annar With its mowers and organization. Possibly,
lodged with the Mayor, but not Win the loca'
SIKH Taxes and Assessments-This Department
| requires thorough overhauling The ineqCenty o.
wrong. as has been abundantly demonstrated In
the taxation OF real estate sHouIIts
to coniscatior Of all annual revenue, an snoulo
| have A careful investigation and report by com
| De+ent committee before final action Is taken
seventh Police Department;-Thls ccnInlttess
| believes that there should be but one head and
with honest administration OF that DepartnsnI w
| sea no great danger in separate Bureau OF Eiec-
lions which understand must De ol-pa- -rbi,
| Fighth-Board Of Public improvements N N:
| COMMITTEES is informed and believes that I'M:
0nna-+rnen+ IN its relations with the boroughs
verV complex II requires. under the existing cnar
Ter so many references to the various departI
before any improvement: can be undertaken, IN .I'
smaller boroughs especially, as TO Tenoer LnS y
tenn almost unavoidable by reason OF IneVIaots
laws The want OF local responsibility ana oenniIs
knoyledge regarding the outlying districts Is alS'
very embarrassing