Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-08-27
HOME RULE
IS URGED FOR
STATES CITIES
Third-Class League Discusses
Legislation Recently Passed
at Its Opening Session

Allentown, Pa, Aug. 81. - The
law committee by James A. Gard
ner, city solicitor of Newcastle. fea-
tured the opening session at the
Hotel Traylor, yesterday of the con-
vention of the League of Third Glass
Cities of Pennsylvania. This report
was explained by John G.. Fertig, of
Harrisburg, assistant director of the
Legislation Reference Bureau in an
address.
TWO principal laws the league sue
ceeded in having enacted by the last
Legislature provided for the collec-
tion of garbage and ashes and the
payment of old age pensions to city
oEncerS and employees who have
served twenty years and have
reached seventy years.
Another act, providing that
city controller shall receive no less
than the councilmen has been found
objectionable to many cities, and
recommendation is made for it's
repeal.
The report also recommends the
adoption by the people of two
amendments to the Constitution
submitted by the league, one for the
classlhcation of the cities of Penn
sylVanla into seven classes and the
other for home rule by cities by
enaollng the Legislature to grant
an individual charter to every city.
Laws "Sneered At
Inc present Civil Service laws
governing third-class cities having
been "sneered at" by the courts, the
committee says it is apparent they
are very incomplete and ought to
De improved by a new act of the
LEGISLATURE. The committee also
deplores that despite all efforts of
the league the Legislature passed
and the Governor signed the nom
partisan repeater.
other addresses were on "Equita-
Die Property Assessment" by Law
son Purdy, of New York, president
OF the National Municipal League;
Electric Oxidation System of Sew
erage Disposal" by Frank NJ. Merck
ana value of City Planning" by
FRANK Rooster, of New York, city
planner for Allentown and Bethle-
nem, who has arranged a wonder
1ul display on city planning in con-
nectlon with the convention.
Ihlrty cities of Pennsylvania are
represented at the convention as
lOllO"Ss
Allentown, Altoona, Bethlehem,
bradford, Butler, Carbondale, Ches-
Ter, CoatesVille, Cory. Dubois, Du-
quesne, Easton. Erie. Franklin, Har-
risourg, Hazleton, Johnstown, Leba-
Meadyille, Newcastle. Oil City, Pitts
ton Pottsville, Reading, Titusville.
York 'tie'
In the absence of Mavor A. /
F"irhenhaoh. of Arlnntown. nree,-
'"nf 0f tHo -" "IIe tho oIoir ;s ~
'n'"N hv Mavor n. W. Novin or
'"Stnn. Movnr Roiol, ~.,ho oh 49,
'" """rrHoro+'-,~ - Oooo,, &C.. or.
r'-- r'----
tai sent cordial message of greet
ing upon the reading of which the
convention arose and ioined in a
prayer for his speedy recoverv Iod
by the chaplain, the Rev. FrankIin
c. Smith. N''ii
Ihe delegates were welcomed bv
councilman j. Herbert Kohler. act
ing mayor, and r. ]. Wheeler and
Ine response was made by Lewis
franke, mayor of Johnstown. Ron
tine reports We're presented by Sec
retary Fred H. Gates. of Wilkes
Barre and Treasurer r. Ross Sea
man or Harrisburg. The leagues
DaIance is upwards of $1,000.
seventy autos provided bv Can
eral Harry c. Trexler took the dele
gates to the cement and silk mills
bethlehem I. Motors, TrayIor En'
gineering and Aldrich pump plants
Allentown Hospital, Lehigh hatch,
cry Balliet'poultry farm and other
points of interest. There was m
entertainment in the Hotel Trsvl
Ior ballroom, directed by Philin w
6Le 6iake; secretary of the Ailentown
Chamber of Com r,nrnn IetiloWh