Evening journal., 1914-12-19
Charter draft
UNDER DISCUSSION
Friends See Need Of InStru-
ment; Colonel Sparks
Opposes
TILT COMES
DURING HEARING

Addresses by members of the charter
committee of the Wilmington Civic As
sociation marked the meeting held in
Eden Hall last night by the Membership
u Council of the Chamber of Commerce
I G.. ID. Garretson, chairman of the eoun-
ell. presided aud introduced the speak
ers Attendance was small.
William +. Kurtz was called on 70
explain the proposed charter, and gave
a clear clean cut and concise expiana-
tion of the Instruments provisions.
The speaker declared Wilmington has
outgrown the councilmanic system. lie
asserted the city is no longer a village
hut great business corporation.
"We have a patchwork government" }"
Mr. Kurtz declared, "and it should be
changed"
Alr. KIutz dwclt on the appointment
Of the police, water, street and sewer
commissioners, as an indication of the
trend Of affairs.
Mr.. Kurtz said the keenest minds
maintain the Dayton city manager plan
is success, and then turned his atten-
I ton TO the growth Of commission gov
ernmeut, asserting the plan has been
adopted by 300 American cities. includ-
/ ing many as large and larger than VIII
mington.
Taking a report Of Houston, Texas,
where the plan is in operation, Mr..
] kuTtz presented reasons for the ap-
proval Of the commission idea here. The
document from which he quoted excerpts
showed radical reforms following the in
{ auguation of the new government and
the peoples rights guarded in the mat
ter of granting franchises 10 public SER
vice corporations, which were limited 20
80 years.
During the reading of the Houston re-
port. verbal tilt took place between
Mr. kurtz and George w. Sparks, presi-
dent uf-the Street and Sewer Board.
"Air. Chairman, were we called here to
discuss the proposed charter OF commits
sion government" Mr. Sparks asked
II am giving you the reasons for
adopting the new charter" Mr.. Kurtz
replied
If the time is taken up discussing
reasons we will not have time 70 con
slider the charter" Mr.. Sparks de-
clared.
well. Wen take time" Mr.. Kurtz
answered
Mr.. Kurtz then resumed reading and
continued until Mr.. Garrettson declar-
ed he believed Mr. Sparks point well
taken and hoped Mr.. Kurtz would dis
cuss the charter
Provisions of the charter were then
gone over in detail and Mr.. Kurtz
spent much time on each. The in
strument makes marked changes in
the matter of franchises which are lin
! tied to 30 years and made subject to
the referendum. The commissioners
are given control over rates to be
charged and service rendered BY pub
lie utility corporations Extensive and
I perpetual franchises are made unlaw-
full.
The city manager will be the most
/ important factor of Wilmington's gov
eminent in the event the proposed
charter is passed. Mr.. Kurtz said
the man selected for the post should
be broad gauged and highly paid.
The speaker spent much time dis
cussing the tax provisions of the meas
ure. He scored the present tax col
lection system, and declared the char
ter Will wipe out back taxes and make
/ rich and poor contribute toward sun
porting the government. The charter
REQUIRES the city attorney to secure
Judgments against persons who do
not pay their taxes.
The charter also provides an cleo
tion board Of three which shall have
charge OF municipal elections and a
civil service commission OF the same
number. Mr.. Kurtz said he believed
the civil service section is practical IN
that II does not attempt too much. vet
covers the situation.
Opposition TO Instrument.
Commissioner Sparks smoke in On.
| position to the charter. saving he is
strongly opposed to the plan. The
commissioner said every city charter
must be tested in the courts.
our charter has been tested In
the courts, and we know IL is valid
ne said. There are so many faults
IN this new charter I hesitate to take
them up, but will point out a few
NOW II is provided that the five
commissioners shall meet once
/ week TO consider the affairs of the
city. II also provides that each
commissioner shall receive $1,000 a
year and the mayor 81 200. When Ave
men meet once week to consider the
anairs Of Wilmington, I say: God
help the city
This is said to be a non-partisan
charter. l want to say that Il is
not and viii not be at the election
next June. If they feel the same as
they did last November, there will
not be Democrat anywhere. THAT
would not be non-partisan govern
ment
Il believe in bipartisan govern
hent II the commission plan is
adopted do you mean to say that Il
VIII not be possible for the strong
men Of the commission and the citv
boss to build a political machineY
AS to the city manager, he would
have 70 be acceptable to the strong
mon OF the commission or there would
be another city manager.
The section relating 10 advisory
boards is a beautiful. idea.
! Our city is the most economically
/ run in the country. and I defy anv
man to point finger at any CITY on
cial and charge him with graft"
Mr. Sparks then launched into a
! vigorous defense of the Street and
( Sewer Department. He said the de-
partment does $4,000 worth of bust
ness weekly during the busy season
and employs only three clerks. He
asserted every. official of the depart-
ment, with one exception. is a Demo-
crat, and said he was Nominated
crat.
There are some faults in our gov
NafIa