Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-09-17
SHARP CLASHES
MARK MUNICIPAL!
LEAGUE NEE INC
Labor Union Wing Gains As
cendanCy in Struggle for
Control, But No Candidates
Are Endorsed.

Are Endorsed,
The first meeting of the Municipal
leage, called in petitions to keep the
city hall free from "class control, !"
was featured by a long drawn out
struggle for dominance in which labor
union men had the upper hand, and
which resulted in several sharp ver-
bal clashes between the spokesman
for the opposing wings. The meeting
was held in the high school audito-
rum last night
The barometer of feeling ranged
from the laughter of good humor to
calls of disapproval when Postmaster
H. C. Roehl used the "short and ugly
term after Francis E. Wood had as
serted that the union men were
"herded" to the meeting by him. The
postmaster denied the charge and
there We're calls of Never never"
from the union wing.
The union wing had the majority
and showed it's ability to guide the
proceedings according to its will early
in the meeting, and upon every test
of strength, electing Senator George
Kaseman, who was nominated by w.
u
and, j. w. Wolff, secretary, but not
until the meeting was more than an
hour old. The vote on chairman was
SIS for Mr., Kaseman against 81 for
w. X. Walton, the opposing candidate.
The attendance, however, had dwin-
died appreciably by that time.
The only accomplishment was per-
manent organization of the Municipal
a 1octn1
two hours No candidates were en-
dorsed and no effort was made to en-
dorse any.
George S. Klock, who opened the
meeting as temporary chairman
standing alone on the stage with d
row of vacant chairs in the back
ground, stated that municipal affairs
should be marked by neighborliness
If there was any rivalry, he said
it should be generous rivalry as tc
who was the best qualified man for
fha office 49,
&. nj. Barber read the petition
calling the meeting. Here it is:
After long experience with ward
and party contests and methods, AL.
buquerque two years ago abolished
that system and adopted the com.
mission form, under which the gen.
eral management of the city's affairs
was confided to three able, conscien-
tious and honest men, now to be
increased to five at the election just
called.
Under our existing charter as a
protection against abuses the voters
have expressly reserved to them.
selves, and now possess, the right
at any time to vote on and adopt
control or veto any act or policy
governing the city.
In abolishing partf rule, however
we abolished the onlt existing organ
lied support to the City government
and this left the connmission to de-
fend itself against che attacks and
schemes of self-seeking individuals
and classes who would rule the city
for their own advancement.
Every other commission governed
city has found that it cannot get OF
keep properly qualified tthe best)
men as commissioners unless the
mass of its citizens, who place the
welfare of the city as a whole, above
the interests of any party, class OF
locality, organize to support and
protect the commission against those
having contrary ideas or interests.
To this end. therefore, we, the un-
dersigned citizens of Albuquerque
hereby agree to, and do form The
Albuquerque Municipal League, the
object of which shall be to induce
and support the best possible men
to offer themselves and act as city
commissioners, and to protect and
defend the city and the commission
form of government against the ef-
forts and attacks of those who would
re-introduce political, class or ward
elements into our affairs.
The first test of strength came when
Postmaster Roehl made motion that
a motion by Mr.. Wood for the ap-
pointment by the temporary chairman
of a committee of five to include the
best citizens available to offer them
selves as candidates for city commits
sioners. The Wood motion provided
that there would be no endorsement
until the time had expired for filing
nominations, saying that the best men
could not be selected until all candi-
dates had been entered. The motion
to table carried, 92 to S5. b. stand
ing vote.
In the debate that preceded the
vote E. T. Chase charged that the
meeting was packed" and said 1t was
known to him how the vote would
stand. He announced that the busi-
ness men would have candidate, and
County Assessor S. B. Roehl asked II
the league was confined to class. He
spoke rapidly for minute. shaking
his finger in the direction of MIR.
Chase, but the cheering and laughter
drowned his words.
A plea for the best interest of all
was made by Henry G. Coors, Jr,, who
supported Mr.. Woods stand against
making any endorsements, saying that
such endorsements would not be worth
the paper they were written one il
they were made before it was known
who would be candidates.
IT don't care who's in the majority"
he said. Nothing should be done not
for the interest of all. Every class is
dependent upon the other"
Mrl McCourt, editor of the Workers
Chronicle, said he had found that
those who first rallied to a cause were
the best and that those who had to
be dragged in" were not the best.
After the vote on the motion to
table a five-minute recess was taken
at the suggestion of A. b. Stroup in
order to give those who had not signed
the petition chance TO subscribe.
The crowd began leaving the audito-
rum. but part: at.Ieast: ID not go far
lcontinued on Page Twol