New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-27
f}R. ABBOTT WRITES NEW
5ap ATTACK ON CHARTER.
Letter to Mayor Gives Criticism
in Detail of the Features
in Dispute.
NAMES FOUR MAIN ISSUES
Saws Mayors Appointees Draft
I'd Document, Hearings Were
Held in Of Season, and En-
zcCment Would Be Hurried.

IN an open letter to Mayor Gaynor the
rev Or. Lyman Abbott replied yester-
s,v 10 the Mayors communication 10
rim a few days ago. in which he de-
rls-sd that Or. Abbott had not been fair
81, criticisms Of the proposed new char
GER that had appeared in the form of an
.dito-ial in "The Outlook
The Mayor asked for specifications and
Re got them. DR.. Abbott pointed out
.hst the charter had been drafted by men
=, the Office Of the Corporation Counsel.
an appointee Of the Mayor. instead Of by
commission Of private citizens; that
the recent hearings were held az a time
when a majority Of the representative
citizens were out Of town, and that it
was proposed to pass the charter hur-
r,edly at the special session Of the Leg
islsture in September p~. Abbott
svote.
This Is not deuocraCv. 10 organic law
,o- tho government OF rye million people
"a truly democratic unless their chosen
representatives have taken an important
rart in framing IL and unless the citizens
nortunitv 10 consider carefully IT'S various
provisions and m a general election 70 vote
rpon r. Nothing less than this rs true
home rule.
Or. Abbott said the issue was not how
N.yor Gaynor would he likely 70 exer-
else the powers conferred on him. but
whether they were such powers as in a
democratic community should ever be
conferred upon a single executive.
The Points Of Difference.
TIE differences in Interpretation CT the
charter between himself and the Mayor
DR.. Abbott stated as follows.
n, Are the powers Of the Mayor in
creased? (2) Are the safeguards thrown
about appointments by the city civil ser
vice Commission weakened go Is the
non-political character Of the school sys-
-ern OF the city imperilledH 90 Is the Gov
er7ar's power Of removal OF the Mayor Tor
cause abolsneo.
These points he discussed separately.
As 20 whether or not the powers Of the
Nayor are increased, Or. Abbott said:
The Mayor is given power 10 appoint
four out or I'VE members OF tHt nuueet
committee Of the Board OF Estimate, an
sppoinrnent which IS authorized 10 pre-
rare the tentative annual estimate Tor tie
ntv's expenditures. = power OF appoint .
nent hitherto lodged in the hoard ltseiI
sec rs. page 53). He is given power 10
DESTROY any records or papers Of any city
department without giving public notice.
making a public record or furnishing Il
public report (Sec. 22'. page 20. 49,.
He is given power 20 appoint paid COM
missioner OF the hospital department 70
rake the place OF the present voluntary
board Of trustees which is appointed only
On nomination OF certain Charita bic sOcle-
res n the city. and whose members are
removable only for cause (Sec. Slu, page
re * civeu power 70 select an officer 10
sct IN his place N MS disability or absence
from the city for a period NOT eNceeulns
sfytv DAYS Sec 191. page 81, a power Whlcn
n mas been well said IS clearly supVer-
sive Of the principle under Wmcn 2 Leu
tenant Governor : eiNtleo ~ .leLi, -.
lions and a Vice-President in national cleo
e5 Per Cent Of City Bids.
The mower ~ pass upon the correctness
~ bills and claims against the CITY mtn-
e-to given 10 the Controller, VINO is an
elective officer, rs transferred 10 the 'oI-
rorarion Counsel who IS appointed by the
Navo~ and 10 other subordinates OF tho
Navor a. Z. G. Sec 3W, page l-l. Ihls
transfer is not confined N SUITS LOT
claims or damages for torts or ncGl-
Eence." but includes % per cent OF the
h is now reported that. urcn YOUR IN
sistence. this transfer rs TO he reversed
and the powers OF financial audit are 70
he restored 70 the Controller. 1 nope ihlS
I'M germans the most important OF sll
these increases in the power Of the Mayor
lies IN the provision mat lhe 81 TO-
md additional approval or me Md sIg
shall ne necessary 70 the validity or every
Franchise" This provision not only en-
sbles the N7vor 10 prevent any FRANCHISE