The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-11-18
FRISCO IS IN NEW
| ERA Of CIVIC AND
/. INDUSTRIAL LIFE :
Adoptioa at Special Election OF Char
ter Amendments Echoes Doom Of
Big Interests in Affairs of
Municipal Government.
Voters Of City. Once Pathetically
Corrupt, Come Out for Striking
Reforms.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 17.-Follow.
ing the adoption at Tuesdays special
election. OF a series of charter amend
ments. which for the first time in the
history OF this corporation-dOminated
city, puts San Francisco IN the fore.
front OF cities favoring advanced mum
icipal legislation, the vote will be
officially canvassed today by the board
OF supervisors prior TO the presenta-
ton OF the amendments 10 the legis-
lature for ratification in January.
Big business" which opposed most
OF the amendments probably viii make
it's last stand IN the legislature. but
there is little likelihood that the leg
islature will fail 10 ratify, as II Is not
now controlled by the railroads.
The big problem OF whether san
Francisco once corrupt, has purged
herself entirely of corruption by the
passage OF these measu es, remains
TO be seen. The amendments them
selves mark long step in the science
of municipal government in this coun-
try. The most vital amendment OF all,
which establishes majority rule by
simplifying the official ballot. carried
overwhelmingly. Big business" made
hard fight at the polls. but defeated
only one amendment against which
il fought. and that was the provision
for the establishment OF a free city
employment bureau, which failed by a
few hundred votes.
The feature OF the amendment pro-
viding for initiative. referendum and
recall. is that all public utility fran
chises anG all franchise renewals
must be submitted TO a popular vote.
This is believed to insure. as long
as the amendment stands, the impos
sibility of a renewal OF the recent
graft scandals through the purchase
of franchises from city officials
Another important amendment pro-
yides that anyone presenting a peti.
ton signed by ten or 20 indorsers,
NAV become candidate for office and
have the right to file a statement of
principles running from one hundred
10 three hundred words which will be
printed by the city and mailed with a
sample ballot to voters.
Yg The amendment providing for the
elimination of the party circle on the
dfIieial ballots also provides for the
rotation OF the names or candidates.
and, in addition. provides for putting
the names in different order In differ
ent districts so that each candidate
wiz have the opportunity TO head the
ticket in some part OF the city.
Another amendment is that pro-
yiding a minimum wage OF SO a day
for all laborers and an eight-hour day.
This was fought desperately by the
so-caled Interests but was readily
adopted.
When the amendments were first
submitted. the Interests" proposed a
number which failed in the special
election. Among them were pro
visions that the salaries OF all city
oficials should be increased, placing
the city library patronage under the
mayor which. Il is alleged would as
sist in building up political ma
chine.
The upshot Of the whole election is
that the people are assured a hard
and fast grip on the ballot boxes
that they signified their desire 10 run
fhe city intelligently. demonstrated
that they knew what they wanted and
then got IL. Whether the people Nili
continue TO show discernment now
that they have the political power In
their own hands. depends upon the
continued efforts Of the forces o:
civic decency 10 prevent corruption
lists presenting bad amendments and
securing a favorable vote BY the lib
eFal use Of money. San Francisco mas
started right. the reformers say, but
a.
continuous fight against corruption to
retain for the people what they now
have.