Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-10-07
Commission Government
First Plank Adopted for
PrOgressiyes' Platform

The city candidates of the Pro-
gressive party met last night at
Progressive headquarters, 211 Halsey
street. and adopted platform, the
first plank. of which was commission
government for the city. From now
on until the eve of election the candi-
dates will make a soap box cam.
paign" in which they will be assisted
by the freebooter and Assembly can
didates.
For the purpose of united efforts
| during the campaign the city candi-
dates organized, with Charles Herbert
Walker as chairman, Edgar S. Haines
as secretary and George M. Denny, a
member of the city committee, was
| made the treasurer.
Among other things there Is a plank
for city purchasing department and
plank opposing the further opening
of Branford place. Extension of play
ground and bath facilities are also
among the aims of the city candi-
dates. In expressing themselves in
favor of strengthening civil service
the platform demands that the first
man on an eligible list be the man
chosen.
Besides adopting the platform the
candidates resolved that the same
shall only be general expression of
principles they stand for and that II
shall not be prohibitive to an enlarge
ment II any one of the candidates
sees fit. 1t is furthermore the inten-
ton of the city candidates to later
on issue statement going more into
detail on the various planks.
The platform reads in full as fol-
lows:
We, the city candidates of the Progress
lows:
|. We favor the system of commission
government outlined in the Walsh act
believing that 1t will result In better
government, with more direct responsI-
bility to the citizens
2. We favor the system OF purchasing
all supplies for the city by competitive
bidding and the creation of a central
purchasing department.
3. We favor a carefully. prepared Item
iz re. budget, rigidly to be adhered to-
nomical and efficient business admins
tration.
4, We believe in an annual audit of the
books of the city which shall embrace
every department and institution, and we
favor a uniform system of bookkeeping
for all city offices, departments and in
stitutions.
8. We are opposed to the opening of
Branford place and the system of
meadow reclamation in the interest of
real estate spectators.
6. We are In favor of legislation that
will permit the city to erect and main
tain electric light and gas plants.
7, We favor a municipal survey and the
establishment of a bureau of municipal
research.
s. We favor the establishment Of de-
partment of municipal legal aid for the
poor and oppressed.
o. We favor a greater interest in public
welfare work by the city, a hearty sup
port of baths, Fairgrounds. of stricter
regulation of dance halls. fire prevention,
better housing conditions and reduction
of infant mortality.
10, We are opposed to the theory that
the business of the city may be con-
Quoted in secret session or caucus. and
believe that the public has a right to
know what is contemplated, so that in
telllgent public opinion may have an OPP
portunity to manifest itself.
II. We believe in the independent, eco
nomical and business administration Of
the city's affairs along progressive lines,
and we pledge ourselves to freedom from
boss control and domination and to ad-
ministration in the interest Of all the cit
liens.
proposition of compelling or soliciting
city employees to contribute to campaign
funds, or to directly or indirectly assess
or deduct from their salaries money to
be applied to such purposes.
10. We believe that the principles of
merit and efficiency alone should govern
in the filling of city positions, and we are
In favor OF strengthening the civil service
law by providing that the first man on
the eligible list be given the position.
IA. We favor the enforcement and i'm
provement of existing pure food and drug
laws.