Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-16
COUNCILSPLAN
\ CHARTER FIGHT
To Launch Attack This
Afternoon on Single
7 Body Proposal
"HANDS OFF, DEMAND
Expected TO Call Upon Legis-
lature Not to Interfere
Here
"HANDS OFF," DEMAND

Opponents OF charter revision, insofar
as IL affects Councils. have completed
plans for an attack upon the single body
idea. which Is to he launched stimuli
taneously in both chambers this after
noon.
\ resolution calling upon tn" Gov
ernor and the state lawmaking bodies
to keep hands off Philadelphia VIII oe
the excuse for the demonstration.
Speakers have been chosen to Chan-
pion the cause of Councils as no" con-
stltuted and action will be called Tor
upon the resolution unless last-minute
orders change the program
Care in drawing the resolution VIII
prevent its being sent TO Mayor Sml,h
for his approval or disapproNal as Is
usual with couuCilmanic actions OF 'n'S
type. The Mayor Is on record as taNor-
ing q small councilmanic body, and for
this reason the resolution does not IN
clude the usual clause. ITO b" s'nt to
the Mayor for his approval or "Isal-
proval."
VIII ATTACK Reyisionist'
Champions Of the resolution "hch
was originally Introduced by clinton ~.
Sewers n Twentieth Ward follower Of
David Lane. have a program OF afsu-
ment mapped out that includes an at
tack upon individual members OF the
Charter Revision Committee on the
grounds of their failing 70 vote III me
city or at thcir residence outside citE
limits
1t is also planned to review touncii-
manic actions under former Mayor
Blankenburg and Mayor Smith. 1t VIII
be argued. in favor of full ward rep
resentation, that more than 5000 DIlls
admin II raj ions
were distinctive ward ordinances, ana
that only sevcnty-seven city-wtdc bilIS
passed in the same period Of time.
The resolution is one Of the longest
ever introduced, and recit"S at lenGtn
the accomplishments of the city gov
ernment under the present system ol
two large legislative bodies. 1t incluueS
an attack upon the advocates OF change
and sets out in detail benefits to be
expected from continuation OF the eN-
listing system. It calls upon each mem
ber to go on record opposing any change
and concludes with petition 10 the
Governor and State bodies to oppose any
change. II requires but majority APP
proval
IniyersaI Water Meters
The most important bill ready for
final passage is that providing for uni-
versal water metering. This measure
has been on the appendix for many
weeks, but apparently is not in shape TO
please the powers that be. 1t provides
for the installation of meters in different
sections of the city during the next five
years and provides methods of forcing
the property owners to nay for the
meters and their installation.
In a report to Councils today, CON
troIler Walton shows a merging appro-
priation balance Of 81 l,S42, ,O92.6). OF
this sum 100000 will be used 10 pay
back the temporary loan foated in De
cember to furnish money for the bonus
paid to employees receiving $1,000 or
less a wear and 5000 600 may be used
to cover outstanding mandamus Items
Deducting the sums together with Sl@,-
900 interest on the loan there VIII be
left $13O.O92 65.
In addition to this balance there are
loan fund balances under $500 that have
merged and unappropriated portions Of
loan funds for a total Of S61S%l@.
There is also on hand S29,lSi25 OF
park funds and Sl7,7f2.l7 in the Fire
mems Pension Fund that is not appro-
priated.
1t is possible that skeleton improve
rient ordinances may be Introduced by
Chairman Gaffuey Of the Finance Con-
mittee. TO carry out the $4,000 600 loan
plan that has been under consideration
for some weeks.