The San Francisco call., 1910-07-27
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Beverly Hodghad Berkeley who charter
satisfactory after

cfsentiment in charter operation, anc
pointed out that the people must b.
hack of every successful municipal en-
terprise. Continuing Hodghead said:
We are fortunate in Berkeley in
having a pronounced public senti-
ment in favor Of good government
and in favor of the charter That
fact has made the work of the
council easier. but has made the
test Of the charter less severe.
Some of the opponents of this plan
Of government admit that it might
work successfully in Berkeley, but
contend that il would not be suit
able in cities where municipal con-
ditions are different. There may
be some force in the argument. 1t
Is greater compliment, however
TO the city than TO the charter.
Government Is based on sentiment
and is good or bad as sentiment is
good or bad. The general interest
manifested by the people in the
government has been a great as
sistance 10 and reliance of the
council We come in contact with
people of many minds and with
various motives and purposes. We
are occasionally criticised-some-
times justly and sometimes from
other motives. Some form opin-
ions based on erroneous informa-
ton or eX parte statements. But
we feel encouraged and secure in
the fact that on the whole we are
not being judged by ignorance, nor
selhshness. nor politics. A pro-
greSSiVe. effective and nonpolitical
city government can not long exist
without the support of pronounced
public opinion ready to defend II
and TO resist any assault from
political motives upon its inteS-
rity.
REFORM ASPECTS
Political reform has two aspects.
Reform in the method of transact
ing public business and reform in
the attitude of the people toward
the government. The change in
the methods of transacting public
business has been toward a system
which has proven effective in the
management of private enterprise.
Our charter is adapted to effect this
result by eiimina ting purely politi-
cal influence from the control Of
the government. The change in
tested by thes disposition to look
upon the government not as a sys-
TEN devised for the distribution of
spoils hut to regard the governing
body as a tribunal for the deter
mination of the rights of all citi-
zens between themselves and the
effective manag cement of the city's
affairs.
Berkeley charter, in which three mem
bers Of the present council were mum
bered: were wise in placing in the
hands of FIVE men the complete power
Of the city, was declared by Berkeley''
first mayor 10 be shown in the results
achieved in even the one year Of the
charters existence. lie remarked:
SMALL COUNCIL EFFICIENT
The provision Of the charter for
a small council with large powers
and full responsibilities TO the
people. is, in my judgment. a wise
provision. The work is more ex-
peditious and less cumbersome.
Each commissioner is responsible
in a measure for his department,
but by meeting in daily session the
various members Of the council be-
come familiar with the work of all
the departments.
The Berkeley charter originated
system OF dual elections which
was designed by the freeholders to
arouse an interest among the non
political and business element of
the community in the selection of
nubUc officials. The system de-
vised here, as has been seen. has
been copied into other charters and
is being considered in many cities
where boards of freeholders or
charter committees are in session.
The chief merits of the charter
lie in this provision for the dual
election in the concentration of
official power and responsibility, in
the abolition OF wards and in the
general plan of co-Ordinating and
unffving the administrative depart
ments of the government.
This system, in my Judgment, Is
superior TO the disjointed policy of
divided authority and independent
action BIZ different elective officers
not accountable TO each other or
to any other body. The weakness
and ineficfencv of the different ad-
rfnistrative phases can not be cor
rerted unless the authority is
T5ere TfsIep cAn be e'Ie no Consistent policy
enforced throughout municipal
government unless the power is
given to one set of men.
SATISFIED
AS far as / am able 10 ascertain.
the system is satisfactory to the
chief officials Of the city and heads
Of departments who hold their Of
fees by appointment and who
serve during the pleasure of tire
eounciI. They have all worked in
harmony with the council. They
have learned that their tenure
depends upon the quality of service.
which is a matter under their own
control. and not upon political
strength. which is a shifting and
uncertain tenure. They have this
Incentive TO do efficient work and