The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-02
BFRKELEYS NEW
OFFICERS IN CHARGE
Mayor HOdghead Delivers Inau-
gural Address Outlining
Administration Policy

BERKELEY. July THE tap of the
Eavel in the hands OF Beverly L. Hodg-
head at the city hau this morning
changed the town Of Berkeley with its
DID charter board Of trustees and town
officers, into the city of Berkeley,
governed by a modern charter mayor
and council Of four members. The
occasion was one or significance and
was marked By the presence of prom
tnent men OF this city.
Only President Francis Ferrier and
Walter Gompertz OF the old board of
trustees were present TO give the mayor
end commissioners the welcome that the
occasion demanded. The other mem
pers Of the old board were apparently
Zoo disgrUntled 10 lend their presence
10 the inauguration of the new era.
FERRIER RIGHTEOUSNESS GAVEL
President Fsrrier sat in the presiding
Phcers chair at the opening of the
Session at 10 O'Clock. which made the
town Of Berkeley q memory, and called;
upon Judge Robert Edgar to admin
lister the oath Of office TO the new Of
hcers. This being accomplished with
dispatch. Terrier babe farewell to his.
Official life and. turning over the gavel
10 Beverly l. HOdghead, first mayor
OF Berkeley. said:
i now have the honor OF handing
sou this emblem Of authority. not
Goubung that you VIII use il with
equal credit 10 yourself and honor 10
sour associates as well as the people
aDf Berkeley"
Ia his reply fun of confidence in the
new charter, and the men whom the
! sopIe have elected to aid him in con-
ductng the city or Berkeley as "a
mans business should be conducted
Future government OF this city, and de-
clared thai with the cooperation of
The citizenship, the welfare of Berke-
,sey was assured In part he said:
MAYOR HODGHEAD's ADDRESS
This is the first public opportunity I have had
fince the election May 10 express 10 the people
81 Berkeley my full appreciation OF the conf.
t1ence reposed in me by my election 10 the i'm
fortsnt office Of mayor under the new charter
J feei The responsibility which is imposed upon
tne hy this position, and i sincerely hope that /
shall be able 10 merit that confidence. and
demonstrate that II has not been misplaced.
The new council IS most fortunate in the man
ler in which 81 has been elected. We come into
Ehese Offices without any express or implied
premise ot oheation or pledge TO fulhll other
tsan ~ administer The anairs OF the city 10 the
best Of our ability. We are given a clear field
BY the people and by the charter.
Much has been said about the advantages OF
mat instrument. Having taken part in its con
Etruction. i interested in demonstrating as
Jar as can, the value Of the form Of govern
Ene2t which Il prescribes.
We 10 not want the people TO assume that the
political millennium has now arrived We hope
naticaIly. or that the council must do all and
The people nothing. Our success viii depend
upon tie support which receive and deserve
- receive from the people.
HOPE OF THE ADMINISTRATION
What We DO hope TO do is merely to transact
lie business Of the city for the next two years
with the same care and economy and interest in
ana toi the city welfare as prudent men would
exercise 10 the conduct OF their own affairs Men
don't pay their own money for the pleasure Of
seeing other people enjoy il. They don't pay ii
out ordinarily without some equivalent in value
g. service, That should be our cardinal rule of
We have no great reforms 10 work out. for
TIE reason that Berkeley. under the administra-
1ion q our predecessors. is already very much of
model community The only reform which
needed among the people themselves has been ae
Complished by the charter. and that was to
arouse in them interest in civic affairs. The
Unusual number OF votes which were polled at
The election the Ist Of May. which was only in
me nstu e OF mere primary, compared with the
hummer cas- az previous elections, was proof OF
the fact that the people have awakened TO
vital interest IN municipal matters. ] hope that
interest viii not be abafed now.
e have heard great deal about the spirit Of
the charter That spirit simply this The
people determined 70 assume control OF the city
80 the extent of electing council clothed with
powers and charged with the duty Of conducting
flle administration Of municipal affairs rrespect-
sFe ~ religious or political affiliations politi
ca OF parry service That implies two things
Eirst. that they elect nonpolitical board in a
seHpelitical manner and this they certainly
nave done second that they permit TINS board
o. council 70 follow this policy by not embar-
RAISING Il with opportunities Of Office seekers or
Inc empowering influence Of friends
no SCRAMBLE FOR SPOILS
This part OF the contract also the people have
performed. ] may say that the individuals who
were most active before election. who composed
sBo army OF citizens militant and who under
ordinary political conditions would now be con-
tending Tor the spOils Of office, suddenly became
e. COY political msidens
Members elect Of the council have held some
conferences during the month and have given
much cons Iteration 10 the various Offices. and
81 this o. that should be mentioned for any
particular office, the answer has often been that
Dc would Tot think OF H. he was active in
The campaign and would not like 10 expose him
Eelf 20 the charge Of working for selfish motives.
Vow that IS p high principle II the citizen
ship u Berkeley reaches that degree Of civic and
uuselfsh interest where those who are mos. act
Gre iu elections working for the city and not
FOR themselves, and yet where the citizens even
shc busy men Of affairs are willing when Sc
leeted for the work. take their turn in serv-
ing the city IN the capacity IN which they seem
specially qualified. we have then reached a high
pisBe OF municipal government.
Each commissioner Will be specially charged
with the duty Of studying the needs and admin
sstering the affairs q his particular department.
but IN all questions OF policy our Judgment Will
doubtless be deferred NATL after a full confer
snce and interchange Of views. and while it is
Of highest Importance that questions be consid-
Fred with due de3iberstion and right conclusions
reached, Il is also important that questions be
decided
tOH THANsASliNO BUSINESS
We have. accordingly. in tentative manner
concluded that TO give The affairs Of the city the
ettentien they viii doubt demand the mem
hers OF the council viii meet at the city hall
every morning AZ s 30 O'Clock and remain until
She business 81 the day is disposed Of not how
ever, in regular legislative session. II is prob
bic that the business Of the council proper viii
require 10 meet in regular session at least
once week. with such adjourned sessions dur
ing the day evening the business and con-
venience Of the people may require
No ENEMIES TO PUNISH
J.. our appointments viii not be made as re-
ward FOR service. We hope that you will fully
understand that we are not ungrateful but we
are moi appointed 10 distribute spoils Of office.
] wish 10 say 90 those who. in the exercise Of
their natural and constitutional rights. opposed
in the elections and even opposed the adop-
zion ~ the charter that have political
enemies 10 punish friends 10 reward.
J. have no doubt that many troublesome and
TeKatiOus problems viii confront rs. but in their
solution trust that in 50 far as consistent with