New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-16
AGREES TO CHARTER PLAN
Mayor Would Accept Education
Board of Fifteen.
WANTS ONE PAID MEMBER
Says His First Choice Is Still for
Seven Commissioners, All of
Whom Are to Get Salaries.

Mayor Gaynor yesterday declared that
provision in the new city charter FOR
Board of Education OF fifteen members.
only the president OF which should ne paid.
would be acceptable TO him. although his
first preference was still for a board OF
seven paid members. This concession was
made by the Mayor in answering letter
from George K. Brennan. chairman of the
committee on municipal politics OF the
Brooklyn Young Republican club.
Mr.. Brennsn's letter was written pri-
marily TO ask the Mayor TO consent TO
having the passage OF a charter put OF
until 1912 or 1913. or IL II was TO he passed
this year. 10 provide that II be placed be-
fore the people in the form OF referen-
dunn as 10 whether or not IL should actually
co into effect. On this point the Mayor
was silent in his reply. HIS letter. how
ever. was much more moderate in tone
than others he has written 10 his critics
II follows:
Dear Sir: thank you very much FOG
your letter OF this date 70 me with REGARD
10 the charter. You seem 10 DC under "A
grave mistake in respect OF one OF the two
things which you mention which are IT the
proposed new charter. You DO nOt seem 20
know that the present charter requires t!e
ing of any franchise whatever, oNeIhedo'
surface or underground. instead OF liis
power being new one IN the PIopoSS-u
charter. it has existed IN our CHARTERS io'
win YOU he 81 GOOD as 10 read Sections
= and N2 of the present charter anu I'LL I'LL
II YOU turn to the rapid transit sci You VII
find that no route or plan OF SUBWAY al
be adopted, or consent for 1ranchiSe
granted except with the separate APP
prevail OF the Mayor. Why is II that soine
people persist in saying that these th'nsss
are new I'm the proposed new charter
Certainly II is time that ell knew tnat thal
is not So The charter mas now oeen IN
preparation for seven years. instead OF De
ing prepared IN hurry, as YOU seem 20
think.
The other thing YOU mentioned is-to
quote your own words esta pllsIIns
paid board OF seven members Tor the nodio
OF Education. instead Of the present pody.
There is no difference of opinion. az l un
derstand il. that the present large Doari
should be done away with as rtcoHInehuru
by the WINS commission ana then Dy the
Hammond commission, which succeeded u;
The only question is whether the small
board should he paid.
My recommendation Is that We retain
the present large board unless We pay lLe
members of the small board. me sever
members Of the small board would hsNs
10 devote all Of their time 10 the "ofh' aIIu
DO not believe We could get seven COM
petent men to do so unless they wgre pai 10
no one can make voluntary workers 90
more or work longer than they IKE.
In the last few DAYS there has been a
recommendation that the president or the
board be paid and required TO devote al
OF his time TO the work. and tnat IourIee -
unpaid associates be appointed WIN MN
This does not seem TO he bad suSSesuoh.
AZ preference would BE- in this order.
nemely: First. small board OF I'VE OF
seven, with all OF the members palu SCI
o1d q maid president with twelve or four
taen unpaid associates: lastly, the present
lerge hoard 7 shall be content Win any
of these. but a small unpaid board "ouiu
not be content with. -, -.
regret that your association did nov
come forward sooner TO help us, hut no
doubt YOU mad other things on nana
W J. GAYNOR, Mayor.