Evening star., 1909-05-30
CHARTER TOBE REVISED
Baltimore City Council Will
Provide for Commission.
DEFECTS TO BE CORRECTED
Republican and Democratic Leaders
Agreed Upon Necessity.
HAYES CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR
Only Material Available for Party
Nominee, According to Present
Aspect Of Situation.
DEFECTS TO BE CORRECTED
HAYES CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR
Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
BALTIMORE. Md, May -. 1909.
The most important development of the
week politically is the practically general
demand for a revision Of the city char
ter
Indeed, so far has the movement ex-
tended that the city council has prac-
tically provided for the naming of a COM
mission. 1t is not in the least doubtful
that the ordnance will pass botn branches.
Developments of the past few months
have demonstrated that the present char
ter is inadequate to meet the situation of
today; that the responsibility for the i'm
any responsibility, and that a change in
the general form Of government by de-
partments is imperative.
Views Of Mr.. Stone.
In discussing the proposed charter COM
mission William F. Stone, republican city
and state leader, said:
Il believe that a commission of men
competent and well posted on civic af-
fairs will greatly modernize ..e charter
and make it more applicable to the pres
ent needs Of the city.
while l was city register I recon-
mended in one Of my annual reports that
a paymaster's department be established
officer and his assistant would nave a
large payroll, the plan would neverthe-
less minimize the opportunities for dis
honesty. 1t would bring all analrs under
one head, who would be responsible for
all money dsbursed. 1t is my belief that
the people desire change in the charter.
Views Of Democratic Leader.
John j. Mahon, the city democratic
leader. said:
Baltimore has grown wonderfully
since the adoption of the present charter
In order to keep abreast with this de-
velopment experience has shown that
there Is need for changes in the charter
But 1t should be revised with particular
care, and l mean by that that every good
feature should be retained.
There is not the slightest doubt In
my mind that plans can be devised Whlch
will provide better cooperation in the
city government and result In saving
to the taxpayers. The existing charter
has done much for the progress of the
city, but l do not think there should be
any hesitation, when it is evident that
the majority of the citizens and tax
payers desire such a revision
that both party leaders are in favor of
revision, and the measure seems almost
certain Of passage.
Hayes Again for Mayoralty.
A surprising feature of local political
conditions is the report from we'll au-
thenticated sources that the hope of the
democratic anti-organization forces for
the next mayoralty fight will be former
Mayor Hayes or one Of the most promi-
nent young democrats, man who is
prominently identified with fraternal or
ganizations.
In behalf of Hayes it is claimed tina,
the organization democrats will be COM
PEELED to accept him as democrat,
whether they wish to or not, that the
discrediting Of the present administration
have become public will have reached
the point where Hayes will be the only
well known democrat available.
Mr.. Hayes when seen by The Star
correspondent, declined to discuss the
mention of his name in connection with
the nomination.
Organization and other democrats who
are embarrassed say that it is too early
TO discuss candidates, that the election is
two years off and that by the time 1t
rolls around there is no telling what the
situation may be. Then again the propo-
sition is presented that although these
incidents have occurred in the admins
tration of Mahool, they have all clearly
shown that when Mahool had them in
shape he promptly took action which has
redounded to his credit and will con-
tinue to do so so long as he takes action
TO bring the guilty ones to justice. which
he shows to be his intention, regardless
of personal or political affiliation.