Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-01-30
WOULD PERMIT COUNCIL
TO FILL VACANCIES
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existing vacancies or any that may
occur after the passage of the amend
ments. Provision is made that the
appointments remain effective only
until the first Monday in January
following the next regular election, al
the regular election voters will be
given the power to elect commission
ers to fill the vacancies, thus saving
the heavy expense of special elec-
ton.
In case of a tie vote and the vacancy
is not filled within the time limit upon
petition of ten or more qualified elec-
tors the court of common pleas MAY
make the appointment.
The amendment If passed will save
Dauphin county at least $4,000, as the
four commissioners to City Commits
sioiner Harry f. Bowman, whose
death leaves a vacancy in the City
Council of Harrisburg.
Resolutions were introduced auth
orizing officials of the Law Commit
tee to call to the attention of the Leg
islative Reference Bureau the need
for an amendment to the Clark act
to provide registration of electors for
any special elections that may be cal
led in a city of the third class.
To Eliminate Non-Partisan Clause
Mayor Miles B. Kits, of Erie, told
the solicitors that he had learned OF
a move to eliminate the non-partisan
clause from the Clark act, referring
to candidates for Council; and that il
was also rumored that bill will be
introduced providing for the district
ing of cities so that each of the four
commissioners will represent certain
wards, while the Mayor will be voted
FOR by the entire registered list of
electors.
Many Changes Suggested
A lengthy amendment to the Clark
act, similar to the one which was
vetoed in 1915 by Governor Brum-
baugh, was presented at the meeting
and favored, with minor changes. This
amendment provides changes in many
of the sections of the original act, the
most important of which are:
Lengthening the term of city COM
missioners to four years.
Giving council power of local self
with the Constitution or laws of the
State.
Providing for uniform tax, rates in
case of annexation
Initiative and referendum provis-
ions not to apply to annexation pro-
ceedings.
Advertisements for supplies shall
ilOt Ot IequiTeu except where the
amount exceeds $3.50.
Additions to trades and businesses
that may be taxed
Regulations for removal of obstruc-
tons and for trimming and care of
shade trees.
Providing for construction and
maintenance of municipal boat and
bathhouses..
Giving the mayor power to commit
n RsN
not exceeding ninety DAYS. instead of
thirty days as heretofore.
Fixing terms of city clerks. citv So
llcltors, city treasurers, and city CON
trollers at four years.
A committee including City Solicitor
James A. Gardner, of New Castle.
Mayor kits, of Erie; +. p. Scboon.
maker, Bradford and Ira L. Stratton
OF reading, was named to select a
ihemper OF the Legislature to present
the amendment. for action.
Fox ON Committee
Solicitor Fox, M. G. Rhone. of Will
Transport, and Mr.. Schoonmaker were
named to draw up a bill ON the
amendments providing for filling va
cancies in Council. These committees
will work together.
The committee favored a law pro-
viding for State registration of plum-
bers, and passed proposed amend,
ment giving cities more power in
plumbing inspection work.
Another plan sanctioned was that
of serial bonds for Indebtedness. nav
able in less than five years instead
of adding money for this purpose to
sinking funds.
During the remainder of the morn
ing session proposed bills restricting
bill posting were discussed.