Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-10-07
START
MOVEMENT FOR A
NEW CITY CHARTER
Project Launched at the Lunch
con Meeting in the Hotel
du Pont Today.
FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT

Realizing that the fundamental law
under which Wilmington is working a
charter enacted by the Legislature many
years ago-is operating to the detrment
of the city and its people, the Rotary Club,
at its luucheon-meeting, in the Hotei
du Pont, at noon today, inaugirated
movement for relief through new char
ter
The present city charter dates back to
1883, when the Legislature passed an
net "To revise and consolidate the stat
utes of Wilmington. This was really
law bringing prior charter up to date
at that time In 1883 Wilmington had a
population of $1,000, about one-third OF
the population Of today In fact, 1T was
little more than borough, though IT had
been operating rs city for some time.
Since then many changes hnve been made
In the charter, but there has been no new
fundamental law in its entirety. The
result Of this condition of affairs hanging
onto old deas as long as they seemed APP
plicabe to local municipal ndministra-
tion, with such changes as were impera-
tive. made from time To time by the Legis-
lature-has given Wilmington cunbcr-
some fundamental law, with overlapping
offices. governmental bodies, &c. II
has also resulted In a lack of co-ordlna-
ton in some municipal agencies that ought
To work hand in hand. Duplication OF
energy has resulted. All of this means not
only unnecessary expense, but also am
moving and unsatisfactory conditions.
This situation has been realized for
some time bv those who have gwen the
matter thought, and who arc familiar
with conditions, and attempts have been
made Ia apply the remedy. New charter
bills have heretofore been prepared and
offered in the Legislature, but because
they did not meet with unanimous mp
proval at home, IL has never been pos
sibIe 20 get favorable action. IL is believed,
however, that if a proper start was made
now, with all friends of good government
and economy of administration working
together. with the sole object of making
Wilmington better place to live IN ;rcmov-
ing the obstacles that prevent faster
growth, providing for more economy &c,
the product of their efforts would receive
favorable consideration at tho hands Of
the next Legislature. There is time enough
10 prepare bll, if the start is not de-
layed, and If the bill goes in early IN the
ssssirp, there will be time enough for the
Legislature 10 give IL the consideration IT
ought to have before taking final action.
While the Rotary Club. at its meeting
today. made the suggestion that this
be done, the thought of the organization
is To make the movement universal, with
all local agencies that could do SO co
operating.
The clubs action IL voiced in the follow
ing resolution. recommended by the
public affairs committee which WAS
adopted by the organization:
Resolved that the form pf government
of the city of Wilmington is bad and not
adopted 10 the noods OF city of over
100000 inhabitants and therefore no
party or group Of officials can give ~
city n satisfactory administration. +,
That the existing defects cannot he
permanently cured until the Legislature
grants our city Charter that will give
taxpayers 100 cents in value for every
dollar expended.
That the Rotary Club advocates suGb
changes in our fundamental laws rs will
enable Wilmington to make the progress
il Justly deserves, and it urges the men
and women of our city, both as individuals
and as members of civic organizations q
join in bringing about the desired results,
The public affairs committee, which
drew up and proposed the resolution, com
prises Leon Walker, chairman; III. p
Ewes, John Richardson, Jr., Josiah Marvel
and Arthur L. Bailey.