The San Francisco call., 1910-07-20
CHARTER REVISION
BOARD ORGANIZES
g. w. DOrnin Chosen Chairman
No Permanent Committees
to Be Appointed
peeieL Dispatch TO The Call

lSpecioI Dispatch TO The Call
- OAKLAND, July 19.-Organization of
the board of freeholders took place to-
night at the council chambers of the
city hall. George W. Dornin, former
councilman, was made chairman.
Harry A. Encell, graduate of the Uni
versity of California and an Oakland
attorney. was, chosen secretary.
- City Clerk Thompson called the
saneeting to order and a message from
Mayor Mott was read.
- Robert Fl. Elliot's resolution that no
permanent committees be appointed
and that all provisions of the charter
be considered by the entire board was
adopted.
Candidates for the position of secre-
tary besides Encell were Attorney r..
r Cray, Harry c. Wuerth and C. E.
Brooks. Encen got votes, Gray and
Brooks 1.
Harrison s Robinson, A II. Elliott,
7. J. Mcdonald and Chairman Dornin,
eX-oficio, comprise the finance COM
nittee, which will estimate the ex-
penses for the work, the estimate to
be submitted TO the city council for
provision of funds in the tax levy.
Other resolutions provided for public
sessions, limitation of time for speak
ers and the reduction TO writing of all
motoins and resolutions on request OF
any freeholder.
l. II. Clay and Albert Kayser iwll OBJ
tain & meeting place. and heads of city
departments and several former mayors
viii be asked 10 advise the freeholders.
The Des Moines, Ia, charter, adopted
two years ago, a modification Of the
original Galveston commission form,
viii be the first model to be considered
-l-,-
ing. July p. Regular meetings viii be
held each Wednesday.
The 5 men who heard Mayor Motifs
MESA ge and who will frame the new
charter for Oakland are:
George ". Dornin John Forrest
Raymond B. FELTON, R. H. Chamberlain
Albert H. Elliot John ]. Mcdonald
J. Harrison Clay Fred L. Shaw
Ricbsrd n. Hamb Albert kayser
Charles L. DAILY Hugh Hogan.
Harrison :. Robinson
The mayors message was addressed
to the Is freeholders by individual
names and il was received with more
than ordinary interest 1t put before
them plainly the attitude of the city
administration, which has been as
active as any interest in Oakland to-
ward securing a modern and efficient
charter. The message read:
AS the result of the freeholders'
election held on July s, you have
gathered together this evening to
officially and legally organize as
board Of freeholders to prepare a
new charter for submission to the
people Of this city. 1 believe that
you all realize the magnitude of the
task you are about TO undertake,
and that you are willing and pre-
pared TO devote as much time and
thought TO the question as its i'm
portance demands.
Our people expect, and rightfully
so. that the result OF your labor
viii be one of the most modern yet
conservative charters submitted to
any city. While you will, of course,
necessarily be guided to a large
extent by the ideas now generally
incorporated in the most up to date
charters, you must study local con-
ditions. and where they appear to
be somewhat different from those
im other places il may be necessary
10 devise new ways of regulating
the same.
ually, you are, and | know will
continue to be, independent of any
influence. political or otherwise,
which might tend to obscure the
correct solution Of each particular
problem as it arises.
It so fortunately happens that
the heads of the various municipal
departments have had years of ex-
perience in their particular branch
of the service They are men of
capacity, honesty and brains and
their advice, as the result of long
experience, viii in many instances
DS q great ne 10 TO you
You can feel at liberty to call
upon any department head or city
employe for any service or infor-
NATION you may need. and your
requests viii receive prompt and
intelligent attention.
1t also affords me pleasure to
place my services at your disposal.
] may, from time to time, take the
liberty Of presenting certain ideas
10 YOU for your consideration. In
addition the benefit of my EXPERT
in a 2 r0a aHr0r
during the last five years is at your
disposal al any time you think it
will be OF assistance to you.
There viii, of course, be some
expense connected with your Ia
bors, and I suggest you appoint a
finance committee to prepare an
estimate of the total cost, so that
It may be included in this years
budget.
During the last six months the
mayors office, anticipating the
meeting of your body. has secured
copies Of charters Of the leading
cities Of the United States. and the
entire collection viii be turned
over TO your secretary for the use
Of the members of the board.
The constitution of the state
makes it your duty to prepare a
charter within 80 days from the
date of your election. 1t is not a
very long period in which TO write
new organic law for such large
and rapidly developing city as
oakland, and suggest that the
preliminary details of organization
and committee formation be at
tended to with the least possible
DELAY in order that you may have
suf1cient time to permit a full and
fair discussion of the various
weighty problems which will have
to be determined by your board.
The people of Oakland have dem
onstrated that they have confidence
in your ability and integrity and
YOU enter upon the performance of
your duties with the best wishes
of our citizens, and ] know you
will prepare a charter which will
be universally acceptable to them
and q credit to yourselves.
Very respectfully yours,