Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-09-21
Mayor Declares the Adoption of
Proposed Ch.~ge in the Cib's
Government ImperiIs the Wei
fare Of the People Of Atlanta.
Cites "Jokers" Which He De-
cIares We're Inserted by Men
Who Are Seeking Political
Power HiIIyer Defends System

senting the opposition to the new
charter and Judge George Hnlyer
chairman of the new charter cam
paign committee gave out interviews
saturday for The Sunday American
which present wildly the vital issu.
in the election Of Wednesday.
Though there have been but few
demonstrations during the new char-
ter campaign, students Of Atlanto's
governmental affairs declare the eIe
ton is one Of the most important the
voters of Atlanta ever have had 70
decide.
Thus the statements setting forth
the viewpoints Of the opposing sides
amply prove.
The Issue Defined.
The issue. in a sentence. is
Whether the city is to preserve t.e
present system I'm a slightly alterej
form 10y adopting the new charter @.
TO lay the grouudwork for radical
charter reform next year by defeat
ing IT,
Mayor Woodward BANDS the new
charter propaganda as an effort to
foist the "old ring on the people Of
Atlanta for years TO come. strengthen
ing its control over the city govern
meut and forestalling the adoption #
a now charter.
He promises that if it is defeated he
VIII lead fight next year to allow
the people to vote on the cIear-cut Is-
sue Of the so-called commission form
Of government and the so-called rep
resentative form.
Judge Hiuyer and \. H. DAVIS
chairman and secretary OF the new
charter campaign committee. assert
no sound argument can be urged
against It's adoption. They declare the
charter condenses, simplihes and sys-
tematically arranges a form of gov
eminent that has proved good,
Mayor Says It Is Fake,
When he gave out his statement
Mayor Woodward said he probabi;
would give out statement contain
ing hotter phrases next week, but hi
present effort simply vas to get th
people to open their eyes and see
what fake the new charter is
Mayor Woodward dissects the char
ter from beginning to end and de
clares its adoption imperils the wei
fare Of the people of Atlanta. He
points out Joker after Joker
which he declares We're inserted for
the benefit of a few men thirsting for
political power.
Here is The Mayors statement in
fun:
ITO the People of Atlanta:
For several years past it has been
the desire of the city of Atlanta to Sc
cure new form Of charter and va
rious committees have been raised for
that purpose.
During the campaign OF last fall
! made it one of my platform pledges
to secure for this city a charter that
would produce better results. one that
would place responsibility and let the
people know who to hold accountable
for the business transactions OF the
city.
Met Opposition From Start.
"ro that end a resolution was in
PRODUCED at the first meeting Of the
General Council in January. that "a
committee be appointed to take the
matter in hand. It met opposition
from the first by a certain lineup Of
the members of that body. A mass
meeting was called to meet at the
Kimban House. That mass meeting
adopted resolutions indorsing the
movement and appointed a commit
tee of 100 to appear before Council
at its next meeting for the purpose OF
carrying the object Of the charter
committee into effect,
The General Council turned the re-
quest of that large body Of men down
abruptly. but finally agreed that an
other committee should be appointed,
that committee consisting of % men.
/ appointed that committee and il
worked very zealously and openly,
and the public were kept advised az
20 what they were doing II went SO
far that a mass meeting was called