New-York tribune., 1919-06-26
Revised Document Is Held
to Insure the Elimination
of Contractors Govern
ment; Reforms in Bill
Single Council Provided
Fine and Imprisonment for
Policemen and Firemen
\, Who Mix in Politics

ment for police and flremen who en-
gage in political activities and a.check
on the awarding of municipal con-
tracts, which hereafter must be ap-
proved by majority of the City Coun-
ell and the Mayor, are provided by the
Philadelphia charter revision bill
passed by the State Legislature and
signed by Governor Sproul to-day.
Other changes in the city govern
ment are:
A single Council, to consist of one
chamber of twenty-one members elected
from senatorial districts on a basis of
each 10000 voters.
The new Council to choose Civil
Service Commission Of three members.
Beginning in January, 1921, the city
can undertake it's street cleaning and
collection of ashes and garbage.
City Solicitor to be appointed by the
Mayor.
Receiver Of taxes to be elected, and
his office is to remain separate FROM
that of City Treasurer.
Long-term financial obligations for
bidden.
The position of City Architect
authorized.
Benefit to City Predicted
According to the advocates of the bill
who spoke in the General Assembly
the revision of the city's charter will
be a beneficial measure. The city
within a few months will be governed
by a Council Of twenty members. They
will be compensated for their efforts
and they will become experts in
municipal affairs.
According to the revisionists. when
large responsibilities are centralized
in small bodies those responsibilities
bring out the best merit that can be
found.
For the first time in generation the
voters of Philadelphia will have the
opportunity to elect their legislative
body on a representative basis. If the
citizens will register and vote they can
elect their own council and Mayor, and,
it is asserted, thus put an end to con-
tractor domination.
Councilmen are to receive salaries of
$4,000 each and are to be prohibited
from holding any other office.
The bill provides that after Decem-
Der 81, 1921, the city shall do its own
street cleaning and repairing, and col
lecting and disposing of waste, rubbish
and garbage unless the council by q
majority vote, with the approval Of the
Mayor, authorizes contracts to be let
for such work.
Budget System Provided.
As regards municipal finances, the
bill effects important and farreaching
reforms. 1t provides that the Mayor
shall submit to the council by October
Is a financial, statement showing the
estimated receipts, fixed liabilities ane
proposed expenditures of the city fol
the ensuing year. The council is re
quired to consider the Mayors state
ment in open sessions and by Decem
Der Is pass an ordinance setting fortl
the financial programme for the ensu
ing year and at the same time to Fl;
a tax rate that will produce suficien
funds, together with the funds fron
other sources, to pay all the fixed liza
bfhties and the current expenditure
gr1mme for the ensuing year. Tn
council is required to keep the expend
ihures of the city within the limit
% fixed
Other provisions Of the bill prever
the city from borrowing money on lon
term bonds for current expenses, great
1y reduce the mandamus evil and codif
and simplify. the procedure for ineu1
ring Indebtedness.
The civil service sections pYovid
that the three civil service commission
e1Y shall be elected by majority vol
Of the council, instead of being ar
pointed by the Mayor as is done {
present.
Not emily is political acti1ity or pa,
ment Of political contributions b
policemen and firemen made a miSdi
1nsanor punishable by fine and impriso.
men4, but any taxpayer may bring prs
ceedfngs to have the employment Of ii
s4ender declared Illegal and TO restrai
payment Of compensation to him.
a department Of public Welfare
crested to take over the activities
the Burean of Charities, the Bureau
Correction and the Board of RecYsatio1
The City Controller 10 given enti,
change ever an city accounts and en-
papXes engaged IN keeping them.
1he City Solicitor is TO be appointe
~ the Mayor.