Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-02-04
Mayors of Fifty-seven Cities and
Towns of State Gather at
Trenton Conference.
NEWARK'S PROBLEMS ARE
OUTLINED BY Mr.. HAUSSLING
Tax Rate, Debt Limit, Single-
Headed Commissions and
Shorter Ballots Discussed.
prom a staff correspondent. ]

From u Staff Correspondent
TRENTON, Feb. 4.-Governor Fort
told more than fifty mayors OF Jersey
municipalities gathered in the Assem-
bly, chamber today in response to his
invitation that he favored single-head
commissions, uniform four-year terms
for all municipal executives, a shorter
ballot, government directly respon-
sib1e to the people," small boards of
freeholders and boards of aldermen.
''a local government supreme in local
affairs and less municipal govern
ment by State laws-in other words,
home rule.
The Governor opened the proceedings
without ceremony and delivered his ad-
dress from the speakers desk. He
pointed out that never before in this
State had there been a gathering of
the character he was addressing. He
likened it to the gathering of governors
at Washington.
Upon motion of Mayor 7. Frank APP
pleby, of Asbury Park, Governor Fort
was made permanent chairman. Later
it was voted, upon motion of Senator
o. H. Brown, as mayor of Spring Lake,
to have the Governor name committees
of five each on permanent organization
and legislation
Governor Forts Speech.
mo one has more delicate problems
to solve than the mayors of our cities
and towns In the call sent out l sug-
gested the following subjects as worthy
of your consideration: ID Tax rate
and debt limit; (2) Municipal boards or
departments with a single head; go
"A State department of municipal ac-
counting; az The appointment by the
mayor or other city authority, rather
than the election of city officials, not
necessarily elective; (5) Shorter ballot
for municipal elections.
"The average tax rate in 1909 was
1.66 This year it will probably reach
LIS, the maximum tax rate fixed by
the law
What shan be done with the maxi
mum tax rate act is for the Legisla-
ture. If they leave it, can you raise the
necessary revenue to run YOUR town
hign is it to be raised? These are vital
questions for the taxpayer.
I'm connection with the debt limit
subject no question is quite so vital as
that of sinking fund. Too many
municipalities neglect this important
matter, and those who have not neglect
ed it have in many cases a very i'm
perfect and insufficient sinking fund
system. Such systems should be uni
form and the law governing the fund
should be strictly enforced. The sink
ing fund is the best credit preserver
that a city or town has.
Municipal accounting is OF the ut
most Importance. Many of our munich
palities have Indifferent systems of
keeping. their accounts, and some, quite
number, l fear, have no regular or
efficient system of accounts and at
best an annual audit OF the city or
town affairs. 1t would cost but little
to each municipality under this system
of auditing and would insure independ-
ont and non-political examinations. 1t
is a subject worthy of your best
thought.
Municipal government has been
rapidly drifting to commission gov
ernment. Departments with single
heads are now being seriously con-
sidered by those who are the most
Thoughtful on these subjects. There
should be but single head in a city
or town, and that should be the mayor
Departments should exist with one or
more at their head Zone is preferable
in my opinion), approved by the mayor
to holf office coeXistent with the term
OF the mayor and the mayor should be
elected for not less than two years and
four years would be preferable.
every official in the municipality
except the members of the Council or
other legislative body should be ap-
pointed by the mayor, with the consent
of the Council. 1t is the only way to
concentrate responsibility. 1t is the
sure way to secure responsible gov
ernment, and I believe good govern
ment in cities.
"Thc police and fire departments of
our municipalities should be absolutely
free from partisan control, with a
fixed tenure to a certain age. at which
age they should be retired on fixed
pension for life This would insure
competent rner at reasonable salaries
and keep the departments at the high
est state of efficiency.
Make the mayor not only chief sx-
ecutiye in name. but in fact. Hold him
responsible for everything in an execu-
tive way in the city or town. 1t is
Syisest in municipal matters as in pri-
vate affairs to have someone who can
be held responsible.
1--WE have much these days about a
short ballot. I believe that in our
State we have the shortest ballot of
any State in the Union. We elect In
the State only the Governor and the
Legislature. All other State officials
are appointive 1t is the right system,
even If it is troublesome to the execu-
tive. If he is not willing to assume the
responsibility he should not accept the
office. 1t would be better if every
county official were appointed by some
official or board. City councils and
boards Of chosen freeholders are tool
large. In counties Where the act for
the smaller board has been adopted
fC0utiuuc1 On Tenth Panel