Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1913-01-17
ESPECIAL CHARTER
| COMMITTEE MEEFIh6
Sentiment Was Unanimous for a New
Charter and Largely Favored the
General Manager Plan.

The result of the Special Charter
Committee meeting in Carnegie Hall
last night was clear demonstration
that Bryan,s citizenship is progressive,
and that those having given the ques-
ton careful study have decided that
Bryan's governmental powers must be
enlarged to meet the conditions that
have developed and are rapidly devel-
oping in the making of an important
Central Texas city. here. In the first
place, nearly every line Of business or
industry in the city was represented,
as well as a majority of the City
Council. The meeting was in the line
of organizing to prepare a special
charter to present to the people for
their approval for the foundation OF
our future system of municipal govern
ment. 1t was regretted that not all of
the committee attended, yet large
number of the philosophical working
business men were present.
Maj. L. L. McInnis was unanimously
elected chairman. l.. M. Hewitt secre-
tary. Major AIcInnis stated the OBJ
ject of the meeting. and that it was
desired to secure the general opinion
of the different plans of progressive
municipal systems that a working
committee might be appointed with
some plan before them to begin work
upon. There was a general discussion
of the present system, the commission
form and the general manager plan.
The aldermen present expressed the
opinion that the affairs OF. the city
had entirely outgrown the present
system, and that change was imper-
alive.
Alderman Parks Il believe that
this city would save money by elect
ing three commissioners and assign
one to each department with author
lily over the department, they meeting
as body to constitute the city gov
eminent. The city could pay them
good salaries and if each man was
competent in his particular depart
ment the city would get more benefit
from it's money"
Alderman Wick: "My idea is for the
citizens to elect five good business
men to serve as aldermen with prac-
tically no remuneration, they to en-
ploy a competent manager for the city,
Such a man would be cheap to the
city at $2500 per year. The Board OF
Aldermen would meet once month
and act as a legislative and advisory
body
Mr.. R. S. Webb: "The city's affairs
are simply a great business PROPOSE
ton and should be handled as such.
Business men can not be expected to
sacrifice their own business interests
to attend to the public's welfare with
no compensation, as at present Bryan
needs a competent manager who will
always be on the job, and Bryan can
well afford to pay such a man."
Alderman jenkins: "One thorough
ly competent man as business man
ager of Bryan is my idea. 1t is not a
technical proposition, but a straight
out and out business affair"
]. T. Lawler: New Orleans worked
under a commission, then changed to
board of forty-eight aldermen, and
has now changed back to commits
sion"
Many other expressions were given
but by large majority those express
sions favored the general manager
plan.
1t was decided to have working
committee appointed, and it was sug
gested that the chair appoint the com
mittee, but he requested that the City
Council and citizens be represented in
the work of appointing, and upon mo
ton the chair assisted by Alderman
E. F. Parks and Mr.. R. S. Webb, was
instructed to appoint working com
mittee of not less than eight nor more
than twelve to make draft of a pro-
posed charter and submit to the gen
eral committee. The committee then
adjourned, subject to the call of the
chair
The names of the working commit
tee to make the first draft of the char
ter will be published as soon as they
are named.