Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-04-13
CHARTER BOARD
WILL CONSIDER
ALL SUGGESTIONS
Commissioners Meet Tonight to
Discuss Ideas Presented
at Hearings.
MANY WANT RECALL
FEATURE INCLUDED
Initiative and Referendum Also
Necessary, Says Former
Sheriff and Others.

The initiative, referendum n recall,
now a supplement to the proposed
charter, and to be voted on separately
in the event OF the approval of the
Legislature, is responsible for most Of
the criticism of the work of the Charter
| Revision Commission made at the sec
end public hearing on the draft of the
proposed commission form of govern
ment charter which is to be sem to the
Legislature on Monday.
The meeting last night was held in
the Board of Works rooms. The at
tendance, as on the night before, was
small. But those present spoke freely
and at length on the subjects that in
terested them. Those ~favoring the
initiative, referendum II recall urged
that it be made part of the charter, in
stead of being a supplement to 1t. To
night the commissioners will meet to
discuss the ACCESSIBILITY of acting on
the suggestions made by the various
citizens.
+. Utility Commissioner Frank H. SOM
mer, Assistant Prosecutor Frederick
Lehlbach, George H. Strobell. Thomas
Walker and +. r. Young, of the Inter
national Brotherhood of Machinists,
We're among the speakers.
Mr.. Lehlbach, representing members
of the police department, suggested
that the powers of the police commits
s.0ner be so changed as to permit OF
no doubt as to the superiority and pro-
lection Of the civil service law pro-
visions over the powers of the commits
sioner. The commissioners said they
were willing to act on the advice OF
Afr. Lehlbach, although they thought
that the matter was already covere by
the civil service provision in the
charter.
Police Commissions Power.
Tie particular CLAUSE to which Mr..
Lehihach referred was that which pro-
vides that the police commissioner has
the power to assign the duties n re-
duce the rank of the members OF the
police force. He also thought that the
deputy chief should be chosen from the
ranks Of the department, end objected
to giving the commissioner the right
to employ skilled officers of experience
for the detective force even though the
men be not residents OF the State.
Mr.. Young touched on this point, and
believed that it would be dangerous in
case of labor disputes and strikes. The
labor man said that all labor men we're
interested in the charter, but had not
time to familiarize themselves with 1t.
When Frank II. Sommer arose 10
speak he began by con~gratulating the
commissioners on their work, and said
that the new charter was a great i'm
provelnent over the old. inasmuch as 1t
terminated divided responsibility, which
is one OF the features of the present
form of government n concentrated
1t. thereby making the five commits
s!oners directly responsible to the peo-
pie.
a clause in the proposed charter met
with Mr.. Sommers objection. He
thought that all ordinances, not only
those which involve he expenditure OF
money. or affect personal liberty,
should b. published. Resolutions
granting rights on streets n high
ways and public places should also be
advertised.
THE supplement 10 the charter"
said Mr.. Sonmer, "the initiative and
referendum. should be made part of the
bill. The veto power has been taken
u of the hands Of the mayor and
should be put into the hands of the
people, where it really belongs. This
has not been done. What is the de-
sign of the plan including these three
features? We want TO be certain hat
the five commissioners whom we are
going to elect are our representatives;
that they do our will. If not, then a
Nar,apt1or aF tha xrn4orc niaoA fhn
matter in question before the people.
Under the charter the veto power is
nowhere and under he supplement- you
put it where it belongs.
THE same applies to referendum and
recall. 1t is not a cumbersome prop
o%sition, but a simple one, and it will
not create turmoil. as some people are
inclined to believe. Experience shows
that it is never exercised except for
cause. Only when the commissioners
begin to run away with their power
do the people bring them back with
their veto power l would like to see
the new charter a law. but only with
these three features"
Mr.. ~trobcIr Objection.
George II. Strobell declared that the
percentage necessary for the initiative,
referendum and recall was too high.
The charter will be defeated by the
labor element of the city, he said,
unless these three features are in
cluded. l also oppose the appointment
of a single-headed commission, because
it cannot be reached by the recall"
Like Colonel Price, the evening be-
fore, Mr.. Strobell objected to the man
ner in which the people will vote upon
the adoption or rejection of the char
ter at the elections. He thought that
either the word "for" or against or
the ballots should De stricken out tC
show that the voter really considered
the matter before casting his ballot
He also thought that the city clerk
treasurer and comptroller should bt
elected by the people, and not appoint
sd by the commission.