The San Francisco call., 1910-12-08
CHARTER BEFORE
ELECTORS TODAY
Commission Form of Govern
ment Is Offered TO Voters
of Oakland

OAKLAND, Dec. IA somewhat des-
ultory campaign for the proposed new
charter has quickened little in tins
city on the eve Of election day. The
voters viii decide tomorrow at the
polls whether the old organic law,
framed several decades ago on the
models Of municipal government then
prevailing, shall be superseded by a
charter which is a modification of the
Galveston and Des Moines systems or
whether the public affairs shall con-
tinue 10 be directed under the provi-
sions OF the present old fashioned but
rather elastic instrument.
The new charter offers TO the electo-
rate z direct primary with a short bal
lot. the initiative, referendum and re-
call and the commission system Of
government.
WILL UNITE FUNCTIONS
The ratification Of the new charter
VIII abolish the dual nature of the ad-
mfuisrration. Instead of 2 council as
2 purely legislative body and an exec
utive branch with functions distributed
to mayor, board of public works and
allied commissions. heads of depart
ments and a school department remote
lv connected with either the legisla-
tive or other executive divisions, the
new charter viii give TO the city a
homogeneous governmental order. The
council viii consist Of four commits
sIoners and the mayor. This body viii
be both legislative and executive. The
school department win be brought into
the structure by the position of the
commissioner Of revenue and finance as
ex oficio school director.
FEWER ELECTIVE OFFICES
Whereas there are q elective Offices
under the old charter there viii be but
j under the new Party lines such as
now prevail viii be eliminated. The
officials to be elected VIII be the'mayor.
four commissioners. auditor and six
school directors. All other officials Will
be appointed. The new charter, briefly,
VIII make appointive instead OF cleo
tive the city attorney. city engineer
and city treasurer. The council of FIVE
members viii make these appointments
besides naming the various commits
siOns, such as park. playground and
civil service. Besides. the commission
ers viii enact legislation and actively
direct the affairs Of the city as the ex-
ecutive body They viii be responsive
10 public viii through the recall. initia-
tive and referendum. Such objections
as have been raised TO these features
Of new municipal government the free
holders sought TO dissolve by modifica
tions Of the usual provisions for recall
and Initiative
a feature Of the charter election is
the alternative provision regulating the
saloon problem. If the alternative car
ries. the charter VIII prohibit saloons
within 500 feet Of any residence cen
ter. church building, public school or
public library. A residence center is
defined as a locality where there are
more residences than business houses.
on this phase Of the charter as sub
mitted 10 the electorate is made what
ever opposition there is The saloon
men are opposed in general TO the al
tentative provision. which is more dras-
tic than the charter originally provides
The associated Improvement clubs of
Oakland and chamber Of commerce
have indorsed the charter and the mem-
bers viii be workers in its interest at
tomorrow's election The Fruitvale
board Of trade viii put force Of work
ers into action in the annexed district.
The Central Oakland improvement
club is circulating copies Of resolutions
adopted fsvOring the charter. This
publicity work Is being carried out by
the officers Of the club, DR.. A. s. Kelly,
the president; C. H. Pearson. the sec
retary. and X. 3. Thomas, chairman of
The executive committee.