Evening journal., 1913-01-15
COMMISSION GOVERNMENT
BENEFICIAL TO TRENTON

The Commission Form Of Govern
ment and the results obtained by the
city Of Trenton after fifteen months.
was the subject of an address by
Mayor Frederic W. Donnely. OF Tren-
ton, n j., in the Chamber of Com
merce rooms last evening The meet
ing was held under the auspices OF
the Wilmington Civic Association and
the large hall was crowded with mem
bers OF this organization as well as of
the Referendum League OF Delaware.
Copies OF the charter proposed by the
League, and printed in these columns.
we're distributed, and it was stated
that there were few differences be-
tween it and the Trenton charter.
Mayor Donnelly was forced to be
brief in his remarks, as he wanted to
leave for home at $40 o'clock, but In
his one hour and a quarter talk he
made it plain that the day OF the old
line politician had passed. He de-
clared in favor of the initiative refer
endum and recall, all Of which he
said we practiced in the modern busi-
ness and social life.
Mayor Harrison W Howell was
chairman OF the meeting, being intro
duccd by Irving Warner. president or
the Association, who said that it was
fitting that Mayor Howell should in
troduce the Mayor Of Trenton the
home town OF On Howell. Mayor
Howell said that when he assumed
the duties OF his office he wanted to
liycn things up and things had liyencd
up so that conditions were getting be-
yOnd him. He referred to the Horti-
cultural Society's Convention, that
opened yesterday, as well as to the
opening Of the new Hotel Dupont and
the meeting of last evening. He also
said that he expected TO see other
great things accomplished here before
July.
In opening his address Mayor Dom
nelly said: II came here at the re-
quest OF a few enthusiastic men, who
are looking for the higher things in
life. What I say about a city char
ter is to be considered by you as
whether il is applicable to your city.
I
the great obstacles we in Trenton
have overcome"
Mayor Donnely then spoke of the
city becoming dissatisfied with old
line political parties with their cliques
and OF how the commission form Of
government had been adopted follow
ing the passage OF the bill by the
New Jersey Legislature. There were
three parties in the field when the
petitions were circulated. the Repub-
lican. Democratic and the Chamber
of Commerce. When the campaign
opened business men who had never
before taken an interest in mum
icipal affairs became interested. ana
when the first petition was put out
there we're 81 candidates. Ten men
were selected at the primaries ana
at the general election FIVE men were
chosen. Several of these men were
politicians and while ono man was
opposed to the form OF government
he has made an efficient official ana
now believes in the commission form.
Mayor Dpnnely reviewed but a few
Of the various departments operat-
ing under the Trenton charter. his
time being limited. but the latter part
Of his remarks was devoted to a sur
very Of what had been accomplished.
the most important item being that
of reducing the tax assessment two
points. This was done despite the
fact that Trenton requires a lot OF
money to operate the government
Since the adoption of the law thirty
or more policemen have been added
to the police department and two new
fire companies organized. During the
year and a half the citizens have Sc
cured a filtration and sewage dis
posal plant after working ten years
for it.
Another great piece Of work Mayor
DOnnely said was the laying of eigh-
teen miles of pavements which was
done at the expense Of the property
owners. The police department he
said, had their powers increased, they
being empowered to look out for ana
report all defective sidewalks. streets
and they even observe how the gar
bage is placed on the sidewalks. IL
these packages are not properly
wrapped. they instruct the house
A