Evening journal., 1913-04-23
MAYOR REPLIES TO QUIZ OF
NATIONAL PROGRESSIVES
Favnrs Tax Collection Financial and Assessment Re-
form, Consolidation Of City Departments and
Publicity About Public Utilities Companies
NATIONALS ADOPT PLATFORM
CARRYING THOSE DECLARATIONS

methods OF assessment and collection
Of taxes in this city.
During the past two years have in
private consultation and frequently
I'm public advocated radical change
from tho present methods and have
advised strongly the adoption of tho
Purdy system or the New York plan.
whichever you may desire to term H.,
This conclusion has been reached
from an increasing knowledge Of our
present system and the apparent ne
cessity of some means for legitimately
raising additional funds to meet the
public demands without raising the
tax rate. The Purdy system will ac-
complish this end and within a rcas-
enable time prevent the excuse for a
city deficit and will eventually lower
the tax rate.
Second Do you favor the concen-
tration of collection OF all city funds
from licenses. taxes, marke, rentals,
etc. In the hands Of the city treas-
urer?
Likewise | have carefully consd-
cred the plan OF centralizing the col-
lection OF all city funds from licenses,
] inAiHf NAAtf Niiu Nilt1NI IT, WOulU nI ut"
cidedly more cxpedient TO place tho
same in the hands Of the city trcas-
urer. The advantage gained would be
first economy and second efficiency
from the moro business-like methods
which would be adopted.
Third. DO you favor the improve
mcnt OF city administration either by
consolidating the various city dcpart-
ments into one central Commission.
leaving council stand as the Legislative
body, or a complete commission form
of government. as may seem best
adapted TO the needs OF our city?
! am and have been for some time
past and have publicly discussed
plans for the accomplishment OF tho
ends desired The Capitalization OF
Ian departments with the City Coun-
ell As the governing body seems to
me to be a solution OF the question
for the Improvement OF city adminis-
tration. The commission form OF
= government. however. seems moro
complete In detail and apparently
more sure to accomplish a business
e administration.
Al present I am convinced that our
\ present form OF government Is incom.
! lplete nd not entirely satisfactory
= iand will publicly adyocato a chang'
:. to the commission form Of govern
= ment modified commission form
\ lof government. whichever may seen
i 10 meet the necessities Of this par
4 lticular community.
n Fourth. DO you favor the thorough
y stud of the trolley and electri
q power and li6ating problems, com
II lparing Wilmington coalitions. fare
and rates with other cities havini
IT similar conditions. and full publict
a OF the essential data and comparison
J. secured. believing that only by sucl
'r course can the citizens OF our cit.
'I intelligently determine whether tn
present electric lighting monopol.
should continue under conditions o
reduced power rates and the rostora
!" tion OF strip tickets. or whether th
granting OF new franchise for an in
no dependent company should be ap
~ proved?
am desirous that the proper bod
les. those empowered by law shoulI
~ thoroughly study and investigate tn
"a rates. methods and financial result
OF all public utilities and give tn
n public the bene-s Of their knowl
m edge, stating frankly their findings.
10 In the matter of granting franchise
OF I beg leave 10 state that the herein
n before mentioned data would practi
Ixe cally decide the question as TO wheth
er the so-called monopolies shoul
"a continue to exist. or it would posi-
MT lively determine the advisability 0
granting new privileges TO competin
Is companies.
IL In every event the citizens and tn
he city government should be benehcl
nd aries TO a just and lawful extep'-
he Continued On Second Page.