The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-03-15
President w. +. Welch, of the
State Federation of Labor,
Gives Objections.
Ch-rter Creates an irresponsible
DespOtism in City Government
Employees Interests
Not Protected.

An effort has been made TO create
the impression that organized labor
generally is favorably TO the PAUL.
La Flam charter. Early in the fight
II was stated that the charter would
be endorsed by local labor unions al
most unanimously. As matter of
TACT. IL has not been 50 endorsed gen
orally and the indications are that
the large majority OF the working
I men are opposed 10 H. One of the
, most influential and best known
labor leaders In the city Is W. p
Melcn: former president OF the Street
I tar WORKERS Union. and now presi-
dent OF the state Federation OF Labor
ana second vice president Of the Ma
uonal street Car Workers Union
MT. WEIGH has made careful study
oi the new charter and j. unouali-
hediy opposed 10 g. In response 10
request by the lntelligencer for a
-1tement OF his views. Mr.. WEIGH
I said last night.
Workingmen Against u.
nave read the charter carefully
ana stuffed its provisions. and do NOT
thlnk That II ought TO d. adopted by
tho people OF Wheeling. Especially
90 mink The working men OF Wheel
| ing ought not TO vote for H. NV oh
F'TLdtion j. also that most Of the
working men are opposed 10 H. In
my own union. which has 400 mem
I bers. ] don't think there are twenty.
I nEc who are favorable 10 the charter
/ w nile there are objections TO the new
/ charter from the general standpoint
/ of citizenship. there are some that
ought 20 especially interest working
I mon. One or two OF them I will point
out F0'''
Under our present charter anv CITY
Employee may confidently count on
I noldlhE his position so long as he pro-
umo's honest and efficient service. In
bluer words ne cannot be arbitra riiv
IlsChaTEed because he dispieases some
I niue political boss or some one cloth.
. "a with little brief authority. n no is
I 20 discharged or g. injured in his em.
/ pIo! !nent. he can take an appeal either
I 10 INC hoard ~ Control or City Coun-
'li ndcr the nov charter there a.
Z no such provision The Commissioner
/ or head of the department will be sole
I authprify There will BE- no appeaf
/ from bis action ANY Commissioner
/ may discharge or employ 90 his sweet
/ VII Tn fact. the Commlssioner 10.
I comes 20 ear. and his ruhordfuofcq
WIZ have no protection against auv
I Hhlm or act of injunction hc may SOC
I NJ fu commit
| should this charter become law
I ln my opinion the only honest election
I h'ld under ~ VIII be the 1rsf one
Why
Z Because g. creates lhe clements az
p Unff'c1l machine that Will be- far
7 more powerful than anything We have
D tNrr had IN Wheeling or in the State
" West Virginia Any ono Who
l knows The character of men We elect
| io nflcc ln This city. Can form n pretty
good opinion aa to what will hsppen
B Tho 'Ommls siOnors viii stand TO-
I grihrr Thcv viii control ns "a body
I SOM" tx or seven hundred cItv ON
2 uluvoc1. and each cify employee viii
i Do expected fo influence eomo two or
l more relatives and friends They will
I have Tho spending Of an enormous sum
| ~ money each wear Directly and ln
I directly thcv VIII control not a quar-.
/ fer. huf good deal moro than quar.
I Ter ~ tho entire electorate ~ Tho city
I Nothing loss than such gross corrur-
I lion and abuse ~ power that would
I arouse the whole CITY. and work n
/ revolution. would shake those Com.