Evening journal., 1912-05-14
MORE LIGHT
ON THE CHARTER
Measure Under Discussion
Last Night From Several
New Angles
CALL BIG MEETING
FOR FINAL TALK


again discussed by the Wilmington
civic Association last evening iu
irish-Amcrican Hall During the meet
ing which was attended by siXty-One
voters. reference WAS made to the
proposed bulkheading of the Delaware
river and the filing la of lands for
the Wilmington Terminal Company
This was referred TO as a beautiful
plan" by Harry w. Behan, a Central
Labor Onion delegate. Mr. Behan
said that section of the charter oN-
empting lands from taxation now eX-
empt was class legislation II a new
charter was needed so badly, Mr.
Behan suggested that the commits
sioners wipe off the slate and begin
work on a new charter draft Under
the proposed one, however, he c0a-
tinued. the city has such plans rs
now. whereby the marsh lands Will
DE filled in at the peoples expense
and yet the land Will be exempt from
taxation.
Last nights meeting. unlike the
previous ones, was devoted to an eX-
position of the faults Of the charter
by an opponent with a member of the
Chatter Commission, ArmOn ID. ebay
tor. Jr.. defending il. At times the ses-
sion was marked by personalities,
but this policy was not carried out
to any degree.
Evan w Gallagher was the speaker
OF the evening and in opening his
remarks referred TO the fact that
eghty-fiye cities now have the COM
mission form of government AS for
the referendum. they all had il he
said, yet when the commission that
drew up the new city charter was
asked why the referendum had not
been incorporated in II, Mr. Gallagher
said the answer was that IL was
nobody's business. The main object
of the new charter. Mr. Gallagher
said, was to remove from the people
control OF their government
While speaking Of the clause re-
lating TO abutting property owners
paving the streets. Mr. Gallagher was
asked question by William f. Small
ley This Mr.. Gallagher refused to
answer saying il was a rule to ans
wcr questions after the speaker had
ceased. Mr. Smalley said he had
not attended a previous meeting or
me organization and was not aware
of the custom
Mr. Chaytor answered the obiec-
lions OF Mr.. Gallagher aud claimed
that the people through the charter
would have the privilege of voting ON
what they wanted through the adj
Nisory initiative. but that the Board
of Administration under the propos-
ed charter, would have certain pow
ors Mr.. Chaytor said the principal
objection TO the charter was rromptod
by the fact that the measure lacked
the initiative, referendum and re.
call.
Francis Kane asked Mr.. Chaytor
what assurance the people have that
ihe things pictured I'm the charter
Nouid ne passed, TO which he replied,
only their moral assurance"
Mr. Kane then said: "If the word
IS given by two men in Wilmington,
INC charter would pass and you know
ana so do H. This Mr.. Chaytor said
ne did not believe
Louis Kramer then asked. Don't
YOU take orders from some one along
the liner
Mr. Chaytor said. Il never have and
I hope ! won't"
Mr. Kramer replied you won't get
very far" and Mr.. Chaytor closed the
incident saying That may be-"
Mr. Chaytor then referred to the
present method OF the city trying Ia
have laws passed al Dover. What he
wanted was TO have the city make lis
own laws.
The question was asked why the
proposed charter had not fixed ths
maximum salary for officials. Mr.
Nhaytor answered that IL a man voted
himself too large a sum, that would
be an issue at the next election. Mr.
Gallagher asked II issues were any.
thing new.
The inability Of the Mayor 10 veto
ordinances relating to appropriations
was next considered and Mr. Smalley
asked why that had been done Mr.
Chaytor said il was an idea of Mr
Richards
George II. McGovern spoke alone
This line and referred to the present
method Of renewing bonds through
ihc sinking fund Tho present water
filter plant he said had been com.
Dlcted and i'm use for several years
but the bonds instead of being paid
off were taken care Of by the sinking
'und
John P. Thomas said that cities
which bad the Des Moines Commits
sion form of Government were paying
on their bonds instead OF renewinf
them. Mr. Thomas also spoke OF the
treatment accorded the committed
which went to the Board OF Education
requesting the use Of the High Schoo
auditorium. At this point some ono
asked What would we do with then
If we had the Recall?"
IT, TT. Ward. chairman. announce,
that the next meeting. on May p
would be the last one before tn
special election to discuss the charter
and every one was urged to be pres
cnt
Workmen Want Explanation.
Members of Wilmington Lodge, Nc
1 A. o. IT, W.. have asked the mem
hers Of the charter commission 10 eN
plain the provisions of the draft t
them az their hall 300 Washingto
street, Wednesday evening and all IN
terested citizens are invited TO b
present.
In asking for the explanation. IN
lodge members say they have bee
asked these questions: Are you In
tcrested2' "Do YOU know what
provides7" "Do you know what
does not provide?" Have you mad
up your mind whether you arc for Z
against it2' do YOU know how
vote on the subject?"