New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-15
Mayor Walter G. Austin Tells
About the Principal Civic
Needs Of Stamford.

The city of Stamford has some inn
portant civic needs" said Walter G. Aus
tin. Mayor of Stamford. TO a Tribune re-
porter Yesterday. For years this beauu-
full Connecticut town has had dual form
of government We have both city and
town officials. This form Of government
4 is somewhat Of a serious handicap. in my
estimation, TO civic progress. Although
we have managed TO conduct our affairs
in a peaceful and amicdble manner under
this form of government, we could have
undoubtedly managed affairs better with
one governing body.
The city and town should be consoh-
dated for the making of a greater SIAM
ford. This question of consolidation has
been referred TO the people for decision
several times, and each time II has been
answered in the negative by the voters.
The reasons for the defeat Of the prop
osition are almost as numerous as the
voters Each citizen has seemingly
weighed this important public question
from a different angle than his neighbor,
and consequently il is an impossibility to
point 10 one thing as the prime obstacle
in the path of the adoption 81 this propo-
sition
"Au the cities of Connecticut have had
this dual form Of government, but the
majority Of them have been consolidated.
and eventually Stamford will follow their
example.
"Of course, this great question Of when
and how Stamford is TO have one single
form of government VIII have to be left
~ T1~r fF4ly 10
right TO force upon the people, even If
such a thing could be done in consttu-
tional way, a measure which they do not
now think is just and equable.
Prom what I can learn. one of the
principal objections to consolidation was
that the majority of people thought the
proposed change would increase their
taxes. Other citizens objected TO the
form of the charter TO be granted to the
city.
Another objection was that the people
in the town would not have proper rep
Presentation in the new governing body.
The balance Of power, it was argued.
would be in favor Of the taxpayers and
'other citizens Of the present city.
thought that the proposed charter dealt
Fairly with every district to be merged
TO the present city. and that power was
well distributed.
stamford may some day have the
commission form of government. Not
long ago l appointed a committee Of fif-
teen citizens OF the town and city to in
vestigate the results under this style of
government and 10 report to the Common
Council. A meeting will probably he held
by this newly appointed committee next
week, at which time the ways and means
of correctly deciding this great question
will be acted upon. The members Of that
committee were not chosen because they
favored the plan. Some appointees are
opposed 10 the commission form Of gov
eminent. while others. from their opin-
ions expressed, are undeniably strong ad-
yocates OF changing to the commission
government. All of the MEMBERS how
ever, are open 10 conviction. and If proof
IS presented that their attitude is false
they will lose no time in getting on the
proper side. Owing to the different opin-
ions held by the committee. / feel that
the arguments for and against the com
mission form Of government will be most
carefully weighed.
"One Of the greatest civic needs Of
Stamford IS better system of transact
ing the city's business. More modern
ways of letting contracts for public work
are urgently needed. More up-to-date
methods Of auditing the accounts Of the
work done for the public should be adopt
ed at an early date.
Considering the amount Of money an
nually appropriated by the city. ! think
Stamford has made a pretty fair record
for itself. The condition Of our streets is
often praised by visitors. Not only has it
been frequently said that the streets are
well cleaned, but that their general ap-
pearance is most inviting. Within the
township two different bodies have super
vision over the roads-the Town Board
in the town and the Public Works De-
paftment in the city. OF the $4,000 set
aside each year for town roads. the city
gets rs per cent, or about $4,000.
Our park system will provide, l am
sure, the necessary breathing spaces and
public Fairgrounds for Stamford when 1t
has 10000 population. The park AFFAIRS
are under the supervision OF a board Of
park commissioners We have good
many small parks. among them being
Bedford, Central. ST. Johns, West Oil
yer Street and that known as Waterside.
Stamford, owing 70 the foresight OF
some OF its ablest citizens, now has one