Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-14
HOME RULE FOR
BOROUGHS WILL
BE FOUGHT FOR
State Association in Conven-
ton Here Planning Changes
in Code
WANT TAX REMOVED
Aim to Procure Closer Coop
Grafton With Third Glass
Cities

Home rule for the thousand bor-
oughs OF PENNSYLVANIA was suggested
this afternoon for the consideration of
the three hundred delegates here for
the sixth annual convention of the
State Association of Boroughs.
That the association before adjourn
ment will agree in making a demand
on the Legislature for legislation per-
mltung municipalities to meet their
own particular needs was the general
consensus of opinion. A strong under
current for reduction in the numbe
OF borough councilmen also was felt
with the opening of the session.
Present Form UnwieIdy
That the present form of borough
government is unwieldy in many re-
spects was the opinion of a number
or delegates who spoke on the sub
1ect. These arguments We're used by
the supporters of home rule in support
of the proposition that each borough
should have the right to determine for
itself the number of councilmen,
commission or a municipal manager,
as its citizens see fit.
Delegates to the convention deter
mined this morning to impress strongly
on the Legislature needs of remedial
legislation for boroughs. After brief
opening session the delegates ad-
representatives time to meet members
of the House and Senate. For several
hours following legislators heard of
the merits of home rule for munich
palitieS.
Cities ana Boroughs Cooperate
Action looking toward closer action
between boroughs and third class
cities also was seen in n meeting with
a special committee from the League
n
ence steps were laid for n request on
the General Assembly for the repeal of
an old act whereby the State leVies a
4-mill tax on municipal Indebtedness.
on this committee were John r.
Fox, Harrisburg's city solicitor; Ira w.
Stratton, former mayor of Reading,
and John l.. Rouse, solicitor of York
In the report of this committee it was
said that the State should not impose
tax on what virtually is one of its
subdivisions.
Consider Amendments
Numerous amendments to the bor-
ough code suggested by practical
trial of the compilation of acts made
by the last Legislature were given
preliminary consideration at the op-
ening session. If agreed to by the
Legislature the boroughs would have
authority to iron out many of the
kinks which have prevented progress
StlOIS HldnS lines.
In the main these suggestions do
not materially change the organic
provisions of the code. They were
designed by the Legislative committee
to permit the unhampered develop
ment of parks and Fairgrounds as
well as more practical utilities.
Give More Powers
The proposed amendments would
add to the powers of borough coun-
ellis authority to build and maintain
swimming pools and bathing beaches.
Councils also are given power to levy
law for the purpose of caring for
shade trees. The point on councils
power to open and maintain parks
along with the opening of street sec
tionS also was Incorporated in the act.
The Legislative Committee also
recommended that towns have au-
| thority to require and regulate the
numbering buildings.
To appropriate money for the ex-
penSe of municipal music.
To pass ordinances regulating the
emission of smoke from chimneys and
smokestackS.
To provide for ornamental illumin-
alton of business sections at the ex-
pense of property owners benefited.
TO provide for shade tree planting,
To provide for compensation not to
exceed more than 81 a month, for
bouliSiilileh WHO dlIenQ meetings,
10 permit borOughs to purchase or
lease property outside the town linn
its for park purposes.
10 provide or appropriations to pub
lie Libraries.
Numerous details looking to a bet
ter and less complicated form of di
recting the fiscal end of municipalities
also were suggested and discussed.
Uniform Traffic Regulation
support was largely given to a pro-
posed uniform traffic regulation for
enactment by councils. This ordinance
would, it was said, permit a man to
drive from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh
with a full knowledge of what would
be required
Efforts to have slow speed forced
on automobiles was given little en-
couragement. 1t was said that acct
dents generally are the result of con-
sestion and that quickly moving cars
are more likely to prevent congestion.
j. Horace Mcfarland, president of
the American Civic Association. this
evening will address the convention
in the hall of the House of Repre-
sentatives.