Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-24
CITIZENS FIGHT
AGAINST CHARTER
LONG BEACH TAXPAYERS ARE
AROUSED
Voters Declare Document Drawn for
Much Larger City Would Prove
Heavy Burden on
Residents

Long Beach Is in the midst of n cam
paign on the new charter. The election
will be held February 5, and those OPP
posing 1t are gaining in such strength
that it is the all-absorbing subject in
the sea shore city.
The little city by the sea was am
bilious to enter the charter class, and
all favored the scheme until the new
charter was published, when, citizens
say, 1t was readily seen that the new
scheme of city government was copied
from the Los Angeles charter, which Is
adapted to city of over 100000 popu-
lation, and the Long Beach taxpayers
find 1t Is too expensive n proposition for
them to assume with only 10000 popu-
lation.
The running expenses of the city arc
now about $4,000 per annum, while the
new charter taxpayers claim, Will In
crease II to about 100000 per annum
and nothing to show for the immense
increase except a lot of new offices and
officeholders, some with salaries and
some without, but nevertheless an enor-
nous Increase in expense.
According to statements made by a
Long Beach man yesterday, the names
of the freeholders were selected by two
or three men, read off and rushed
through at meeting called for that
purpose and work on the new charter
was we'll under way long before the
election was called. Only six out of the
fifteen freeholders approved the char
ter, only nine being present when 1t was
finally passed upon, and it is said a
majority of the freeholders now op-
pose It,
Long Beach has one fire station, and
this charter creates a board of fire COM
missioners, which must have offices fur
nished and be at much other expense
to look after this one engine house.
Topheavy Board Of Health
There is one health officer, and the
new charter creates board of health,
with offices, to look after him.
There are four policemen, and board
of police commissioners Is created to
have charge of this large police force.
The number of Office holders under
this new charter will be so large that
a board of civil service commissioners
is created so that none are removed
from the pay roll without cause and a
hearing before the board at their offices,
to be furnished and fitted up by the
city.
The first election after the adoption
of the charter by the voters was fixed
for April, but was later changed to De-
cember, and thereby hangs tale.
The present mayor, Downs, has ambi-
tions to be mayor under the new char
ter, as he will appoint all the members
on the six new boards and consequently
dictate all the appointments under these
boards His friends, however, feared
his election in April and served notice
on the freeholders that IL they did not
defer the election until next December
they would fight the charter so the
II .1.l
his newspapers are supporting the
charter, meetings are held by the clan
in his office, and it is said that voters
are being promised with jobs for them
selves, their cousins and their aunts-
everybody Is to have an office, as there
will be plenty to go around under this
new and wonderful charter.
Opponents Wide Awake
The opposition is not asleep, however,
and much quiet work is being done by
q few earnest citizens. Although not one
70 local newspaper is with them they show
a determined front and are spreading
copies Of the charter among the people,
a single reading of which will make
votes against the proposition.
The Long Beach newspapers are in
such dire distress for fear their fat
charter will be voted down that their
only defense of it is that Los Angeles
is trying to defeat it with money. They
fail however, to explain why Los An
geles should object to Long Beach in
creasing her running expenses by some
$4,000 year.
The bait is held out by the local news
papers to the effect that the charter
can be amended If 1t is found not satis-
factory. Let us see 1t is plainly stated
therein that no amendment can be Of
fered inside OF two years and that
amendments must come from the city
council or a petition containing 30 per
cent of the voters and when put to an
election must carry by three-fifths
vote of the people. No amendment can
otherwise be made.
When the politicians and office hold
ers once get into power and thoroughly
intrenched 1t will be next to impossible
to amend the charter under the above
conditions.
AS to the support Of the band and
other amusements being shifted to the
tax duplicate instead of being sup
ported by private subscription as is now
done, those opposing the charter say
that they would rather vote bonds
therefor, as was done for the pier and
the convention hall than to vote for the
charter, thus increasing the expenses
of the city by $4,000 a year for the
privilege of paying 100000 a year addi-
tional to support the band.