The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-07-19
CITY CHARTER
PLAN IS To
BE AMENDED
Board Held Meeting Tues
day, Which Interested
Many Citizens.
MANY SUGGESTIONS
AND TALKS HEARD
Committee VIII Meet and
Later Announce Their
Conclusions.
MANY SUGGESTIONS
AND TALKS HEARD

One OF the best meetings that the
city charter board has held since or
ganization took place Tuesday after
noon in the council chamber of the
city hall. Chairman Yonge presided,
and Messrs. Bear, Aiken, Christie,
Welsh, Cary, Muller, Merritt, Full
ghum and Meyer were present.
More than an hour was consumed
in the discussion of a varied number
of points which the report and recon-
mendations of the committee of five
presented, and the meeting closed
with the motion of Colonel Cary that
the report and recommendations be
referred back to the committee of
five. This looks like there viii be
considerable amendment to the sug-
gested form of charter as made by
the committee. Practically all who
spoke on the proposed form at Tues
days session disapproved, and in
some cases, strongly expressed their
disapproval, Of the form suggested.
Meeting Interesting.
Much interest was manifested in
the session. Prominent and busy cit
liens found time to sit through the
discussions, and appeared concerned
in all that transpired.
Chairman Yonge stated the object
Of the meeting Immediately after a
quorum had responded to roll call.
The minutes of the past meeting
were adopted without alteration. Then
he stated that the meeting was open
to suggestions, either from the pub
lie or from members of the commit
tee Immediately r. c. Y. Smith was
recognized.
Smith Opposes Plan.
Mr.. Smith had an extended address
written, which he read to the board.
He expressed his views on a number
of points, but took issue with the
board on the efficacy of the proposed
form as suggested by the committee.
He asked whether it was the purpose
of the board to play politics or to
/ pass upon the very best form Of
( charter, to be submitted to the peo-
pie. He said that the boards only
right was to get up the best possibls
4 form for submission to the people,
( and that the board had no right what
I ever to play politics, as he termed it.
Favors City Manager.
Although the committee had in
vited only written suggestions, c. E.
\ Dobson, who was present, was al
lowed the privilege of the floor for
the expression of views upon mat
tiers at issue. Mr.. Dobson said that
he had made considerable study of
the charters Of a large number Of
cities as to their respective types Of
government, and he thought the form
which afforded the greatest efficacy,
the form which presented the great
est simplicity, was that along the
city manager type. The latter form,
he said, had been under observation
for long time, and no other plan
was equalled thus far from an eco
nomical standpoint. He explained as
best he could the idea of the city
manager plan. The IDEA followed
was the selection Of directing
board" Of eight to twelve men. They
would elect presiding officer, and
then select their manager, not con-
fning said selection to the city limits,
but to get a man Of the highest pos
sible order, man to be capable Of
earning the salary which would equal
the combined salaries Of the present
city commissioners, and be man
not expected to play politics. The
man so selected should be one Of
character. ability, frmness and knowl-
edge of how to do the job expecte
Of him and as he would be expected
tc do. In the -harter to be submitted
t. the people along these lines he
said that It should be worded as plain
a. possible, so that the people would
have no trouble IN understanding It
the sole object Of such procedure be-
ing to follow along the lines of the
most progressive cities, and which
: have proven to be so eminently sue.
cessful.
,, Cunningham Speaks.
w. P. Cunningham opened his re,
marks by saying that he thought
that the charter board committee haC
started out right in their recommen.
dation, and he believed the selection