The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1909-03-29
CITY FATHERS
TO FIGHT AGAINST
CUT IN BOARD
! Politicians of Both Parties Op-
pose Change Proposed in
New Charter.
ARE GATHERING FACTS.
Figures From Other Cities to
Prove A.Iermanic Body
Not Too Large.
ARE GATHERING FACTS.

II the legislative body OF the city Of
New York Is to be reduced. according
to the provision OF the proposed revised
charter, It will only be after a battle,
for all the local politicians OF both par
ties are ION the Job" and comprehen-
sive plan OF attack has already been
formulated.
An Aldermanlc committee will proceed
to Albany within few days to enter
Its protest. Accompanying the commit
tee. which Will be headed by Alderman
Walsh, will be n number OF prominent
business men and others, prepared TO
raise their voice against the proposed
reduction In the board.
The delegation will go armed with n
number Of facts tending to show that
not only would 1t be unwise. but an in
Justice as we'll. The committee has com
municated with the City Clerks Of every
big city In the Union, asking What is
the basis OF representation in your
city?' The answers. coming from every
where, have been prompt, and tend To
show that New York, considering its
population. has the smallest representa-
tion OF any. Just how the taxpayers
regard this remains 10 be seen. Any
how, here are few interesting figures
sent BY the City Clerks of other cities.
In Other Cities.
John r, McCabe, City Clerk OF Chi
cago, writes: The city is divided into
thlrty-fve wards. each ward represent
ed by two members Of the city Council.
There are no members-a,. large"
Horace l.. F'laCk, executive Of the De-
partment OF Legislative Reference. OF
Baltimore, writes:
THE legislative body OF Baltimore is
composed OF two branches. known as
the First Branch City Council and the
Second Branch City Council. The First
Branch consists OF twenty-four mem
bers. one elected from each of the
twen'y-tour wards OF the city. The Sec
ond Branch consists OF nine members,
eight OF whom are elected from districts
For this purpose the city is divided into
four districts, each consisting OF six
wards anu each entitled to two repre-.
sentatives in this branch"
City Clerk Edwin Hnkel, Of Mil
waukee, writes: our common council
H. composed OF one Alderman from each
or the tWenty-three wards and twelve
Aldermen at large chosen by the voters
of the entire city. The local Aldermen
are elected for term OF two years and
the Aldermen at laleg FOR "A term OF
four years, one half the number being
chosen over two years
ThIrty.TWo for Cleveland.
Peter Witt, City Clerk Of Cleveland,
replies Representation is Fixed on the
basis Of population. We have twenty
six Councilmen elected from twenty.six
wards and six members Of the same
body elected at large"
Harold j. Balliett, Of Buffalo, writes
I'VE have twenty-five members Of the
Board of Aldermen and the term OF
Office two years. The Board of Council
men. which is sometimes called the
Upper House. is composed OF nine mem.
bers."
NJ. ]. Doyle, City Clerk of Boston.
writes: our Board of Aldermen con.
sists Of thirteen members. The Common
Council is elected by wards. three mem
hers from each ward making total
membership of seventy-fve,"
bpbTEt F.' 'tT'NIl, ny Jerk OF nc
troit, writes; our Common Council is
composed OF thirty-sx Aldermen two
from each ward. They are elected by
the people
Philadelphia writes; Each Of our
furty-seven wards is entitled to men,
Der of Select Council. and the number
of common councIlmen is regulated by
the list OF male voters in each ward
Each ward is entitled 10 at least one
member"
Just What Figures Show.
Clerk Frank Martin, OF city Clerl;
Scully's office, has compiled the follow.
ing data from the information received
He shows that New York has the
smallest legislative representation. and
presents these figures as compared with
other cities on basis Of population:
City. Population. Reps N.
New York ......,... 4,oJo. 4Gl ~
Chicago .;.......... 2,9tOS ~ 20