The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-12-05
VIEWS ON THE CITY CHARTER
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF
MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
Appointing Power Of Mayor Approved--TaH'
alton Section Too complleated-op'
posed TO Pensions.

Following is the report Of the special commit
tee Of the Manufacturers association on the pro-
posed new city charter
To The Moyoy oai aldermen OF ne Guy
Houston
Cientlem en- In response 10 your request TO e~,
anime the proposed new charter tor the CITY anu
make report on same, NC appointed committee
composed OF the following gentlemen to examine
the charter and present their report on same D
7, Carter, J. J. PastoriEa, / S. Myer James
Charlton, B. L, Bonner, J. {. Porterhe'd' -
Woodhead, T. H. Thompson, J. +. DICKSON j.
v. Dealy, J. P. Schosser and H. Henke.
The committee has brought in the following
report:
To the Houston Mauafdeiwcys' Association;
Gentlemen: Your committee appointed TO OK
anime and report OH the proposed new charter
for the city OF Houston, respectfully report ds
follows:
In many respects the proposed charter is
radical document. 1t proposes to make import.
ant and Fundamental changes in the municipal
government Of Houston
We will briefly state the most important
changes proposed before reviewing the ehartcr
by sections
Probably the most important section IS afuCie
T. which separates the executive from the lesis-
lative body This is the system known as the
Federal plan" He is invested with all the
executive authority OF the city and is made re-
sponsihlc for the work OF each department oil the
city. This is a move in the right direction.
This is a sensible business method OF conducting
the affairs OF the city. There will be no DIVIDED
responsibility, and the system should tend to
| greater efficiency in every department and the
/ selection Of better officials who can devote their
| whole time to their duties, without having to
/ pacate and keep in touch with numbers OF
ward politicians claiming political influence.
Another important feature is that section which
will create the office OF city comptroller; the
only official not appointed by the mayor. Inas-
much as the mayor is given considerable power
1t is proper that the council should appoint such
| an officer 10 represent them and to sec TO the
handling Of funds; making full reports to the
council from time 20 time. Such an ofhcia
would be A wholesome check on q mayor WHO
attempted to use his power for wrongful ends
One section Of the charter which can not h'
commended too highly is that which compcls th'
holders OF public franchises to keep open book
and make quarterly reports to the city, SHOWING
all receipts and expenditures, with iull state
ment of assets and debts, and gives the comp
troller the right to inspect and examine sucl
hooks at any time. There is nothing whic
would tend TO destroy the prejudice which cN
lists against public service corporations so muc
as a complete knowledge Of their affairs and a
they are performing a public function unde
permit from the city it is entirely within III
rights of the city TO ask for and obtain sue
records. Open books will minimize corruption
and suspicion Of corruption. and will enable th
public to Judge fairly as to the real value of tn
/ franchises they grant, aud thus tend TO fare
contracts for both parties,
We believe the section in regard to taxes 70 h
very bad. This whole section should be rewrit
ten.