The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-21
.MAHOOL AT HEAD OF
/. AMERICAN LEAGUE.
Baltimore's Mayor Elected Presi-
dent OF the Organization of
Municipalities.
.MoFFITT CAUSES SURPRISE
He Strongly Opposes Position Of
Ownership Leagues
President.
MoFFITT CAUSES SURPRISE
Especial to The Tlmes-Dispa.ch.)

Especial to The Tlmes-Dispatch.)
NORFOLK, VA. September 90
Mayor ]. Barry Mahool. of Baltimore.
was this afternoon unanimously elect
ed president Of the League of Ameri-
was accepted by Mayor Mahool in a
strong speech.
Former President Dunno. of Chicago,
In retiring, was presented with hand
some loving cup on behalf of the con-
vention, by Councilman Young. of
Kansas City.
Municipal ownership constituted the
principal discussion at to-day's ses-
sion the last OF the eleventh annual
convention of the league.
In the absence of Professor Frank
Parsons. of Boston. president of the
National Public Ownership League. and
member of the National Civil Fed
eratlon's Investigating committee. Ed
ward A. Moffi,t. secretary of the in
vestigating commission, was intro
duced by President Dunno. as substi-
tute and a warm advocate for rnunici-
pal ownership.
surprised Mt Dir. Moffitt.
To the surprise of all; Mr.. Moffitt
took stand directly opposite to that
of municipal ownership.
His strong opposition address was
answered by President Dunno and
other advocates of the municipal ow-
nersh!p idea.
while the European municipal gov
ernments were found by the committee
to be largely autocratic," said Mr.. Mof-
fitt higher civic spirit and better
civic sense were found than is to be
found in the average American city,"
Mr.. Moff1tt declared that in contrast
to America, where 1t is difficult to
get truly representative men to fill
positions of responsibility i'll vital and
responsible affairs the European
municipalities present "high-class men
who have no interest in the city at
| fairs save the good In the city. There
/ you find no bosses and political lead
ers are unknown"
Mr.. Moftitt said that in the commit
tees European investigation 1t found
many 5public-spirlted citizens ready to
serve their city without compensa-
ton.
Where in America do you find
| this?' he asked.
| There were exceptions to the gen.
| eral rule In America, Mr.. Moffitt said
and then he cited an instance in Biz
mingham, Ala, where wealthy man
ufacturer had for two years given
| three days Of each week to municipal
affairs. "for the love of his city" as
the manufacturer expressed it when
asked why he was doing this.
1 m the absence of Fl. ]. Gonden, OF
Chicago a paper prepared by Mr.
Gonden in opposition to municipal
/ ownership was read by Councilman
| Young. Of Kansas City.
Not Given Good Charters.
The following resolution, offered by
! H. B. Zimman. chairman of the Cit!
/ Finance Committee of Omaha, wa
| adopted:
Resolved, That many Of the de-
fects and difficulties In the gov
ernment Of American cities result
| from the refusal of Legislatures to
grant charters permitting local
self government in matters of
purely local concern. and, that the
1 utmost liberalitystn matters of local
!, concern should be insisted upon by
all municipalities seeking charters
from the State.
The league adopted resolution pro
|viding for the sending to all cities o
a copy Of the address by Allen RIPPLE,
i Foote, Of Columbus, o., delivered yes
lterday on the question of "Municipa
4 Commission Governments" and for tn
I sending at the same time OF COPIES Q
Mr.. Foote'S book on "Home Rule Char
/. tiers" In view Of the fact that man
4 Anerican cities are Just now engage
A in remodeling their city charters.
{. The years financial report showed
total OF $2,830.44 received. with $2,720.1
disbursed and $110,25 still on hand.
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