The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1904-06-23
City Attorney OF KenOsha Selected 10
Assist In Drafting Bills for
Third Class Cities.
LEGISLATURE TO BE PETITIONED
Mayors and City Attorneys In Session at
Milwaukee Urge That the Legislature
Make improvements In Charters.

City Attorney John C. Slater of this
city is to take an important part in
the fight in the Legislature for better
laws to govern cities of the third class
for at the meeting of the mayors and
city attorneys held at the Phster in
Milwaukee Friday Mr.. Slater was
named as one of the members of the
committee which will draft bills to be
presented to the Legislature. The
other members of the committee are
Mayor P. B. Nelson, of Racine, and
Mayor w. F. Hartman, of Appleton.
The committee will prepare bills
to the Legislature for the following
purposes:
Legislation for all cities and sep
arate the legislation pertaining to
cities, so as to apply to cities of the
third and fourth class and provide for
local option or "home rule" as much
as possible.
2-Amend the general city charter
law so as to make it desirable and
more generally applicable to the cities
now operating under special charter.
3-Amend the existing law with re-
ference to the acq uirement, ownership
and conduct of public utilities, such
as water and lighting plants, provid-
ing:
(a) General law authorizing cities
to build such plants in competition
with now existing plants.
~ General law authorizing cities
to purchase such plants.
(c) General law providing for judi
cia1 condemnation of such plants.
Changes Governing Policemen.
Amending the fire and police
commission act in following particu-
lars:
(a) That mayor shall ex-oficio be
member of the commission.
(b) Making more definite the time
of appointment of commissioners, fix
ing date as May of each year
(c) Empowering mayor to remove
commissioner for cause.
Amending the general charter
law to provide:
(a) That mayor shall, ex-of6cio, be
a member of the board of education
with the power of veto.
(b) Allow the board of education to
determine amount of general school
tax for support of schools.
(c) Allow the board of education,
with the approval of the mayor and
common council, to build new build
ings and purchase property for loca-
tion of schools.
6-Amend the general charter law
TO provide general system of con-
structing lake shore protection by
towns and cities, and a system of spe-
cia1 assessment therefor.
Amendments to present law as
to taxation of railroad property not
actually occupied by railroads, and
provide for collection of cost of local
improvements constructed along rail-
road property.
San act authorizing towns and
cities:
a) To construct and carry on public
work directly, such as grading, sew
ers, pavements, ETC., and to be done
by contract only when specially deter
mined by the council.
(b) To equip and maintain neces-
sary equipment for public work
(c) To provide by ordinance the man
ner of payment for such work by spe-
cia1 assessments or otherwise.
9-To equip, own and operate pub
lie street sprink1ing department and
provide by ordinance manner of pay
ing therefor.
1O-That the board of review in
cities shall be composed of the city
clerk or controller, the assessors and
such other officers as council shall
determine.
11-An act providing that mayor
and aldermen shall receive compensa-
ton, as follows:
Cities, first class, $4, 900 to Sc, per
annun.
Cities, second class, |, 200 to So, 600
per annum.
Cities, third class, $500 to So, 900 per
annum.
Cities, fourth class, 500 to $500 per
annum.
The amount to be paid to be deter
mined by popular vote.
Salaries of aldermen to- be deter
mined by popular vote.
Very Low Rates to Indianapolis. Ind.