New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-14
DETAILS OF NEW CHARTER
Cities Committee Issues Explain
atory Statement.


1erdsy by the Cities Committee of the Leg
islature in charge of the proposed city
charter:
The New York City charter of 1897. on ac-
count OF providing for numerous indepen-
dent municipalities, contained many pro-
visions, temporary in character ana more
or less experimental. These were continued
in the revision Of 1901 There has also been
an accumulation of amendments enacted to
meet the cXigcncies OF circumstances ana
occasions as they arose, resulting in neon
sstent and contradictory provisions and eX-
,esSive verbiage. IL was recognized several
years ago that a revision ana reStatement
OF the provisions OF the charter in con-
else ana clearly understandable language
was necessary.
For the purpose Of accomplishing the
needed revision a commission was appointed
bV the city in 1907. Thereafter a statutory
commission was created commonly known
as the WINS Commission After two
years of exhaustive work il presented its
conclusions to the Legislature. a Joint leg
islative committee was thereafter appointed
10 consider the report OF the WINS Coinmls-
sion and its report thereon was submitted
10 the Legislature of 1910. together with a
proposed draft Of charter. Inc beglsIa-
lure OF 1910 continued the legislative com
nttee for the purpose Of perfccung suCh
draft and It's conclusions and proposed
draft we're submitted TO the present Legs
nature.
pared a daft OF a proposed revision OF the
charter for submission TO the Legislature,
which was introduced at the present ses-
sion.
Extensive Hearings Held.
Extensive hearings were held By the Cities
Committee OF the Legislature in the city of
New ork, and the fullest opportunity was
afforded 10 all TO express their views.
Er,cfs and memoranda were SUBMITTED on
The subject 10y civic associations, heads OF
departments and individuals. With the
several proposed Cndrter reVsiOns, with
The briefs and memoranda and other data
submitted. committees Of this Legislature
have undertaken 20 draft charter for the
city which will emDody in clear, concise
and unnlstakable terms the provisions of
the present charter and the various special
acts relating to the CityS
our purpose has been to retain the pro-
visions OF the present charter except 10
eliminate unnecessary verbiage and incon-
sistcnt provisions. making only such
changes as seemed TO be required in the
interests OF economy ana good government.
As a result the volume of the present char
Ter has been reduced one-half, and its pro-
visions have been stated in concise Ian
iuagc. scientifically arranged.
IN Of the suggestions made by the civic
iodies and associations, department officers
and iu0iv. duals OF the city have received
careful consideration, and 10 large extent
have been adopted.
Many special acts which are not now in
the charter. but which relate &c the gov
crnmcnt of the city. have been incorporated
- their proper places.
The following constitutes q brief sum
mary Of the features Of the proposed char
ter.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
The powers OF the Board of Aldermen
are continued without substantial change.
The board is given the power Of redis-
tricting aldermanic districts within each
borough. which was heretofore vested in
the Legislature.
A large number OF sections OF the present
charter dealing with matters properly the
subject Of ordinance, are constituted part
al the code OF ordinances, subject TO repeal
or modification by the board.
The consent Of the board is required to
the issue OF all corporate stock, except that
issued under the rapid transit act.
BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND SINKING
FUND COMMISSION.
The Board of Estimate has been given
general jurisdiction over the acquisition of
real property for the city; the Sinking
Fund Commission over the disposition Of
city property.
The membership Of the Board Of Estimate
has been increased by the addition OF the
chairman OF the Finance Committee of the
Board OF Aldermen, who * to have one
vote. This has been done I'm order that the
chairman Of the committee Of the board
which finally passes upon the budget should