The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-01-22
REP. KNAPP
To PRESENT
HOME RULE
Much Discussed Measure Will
Be Ready for Introduction
Delegate From Richmond
Will Urge Passage.
PROVISIONS SET OUT

UO NO Oil OOI
INDIANA STATE CAPITOL, Jan.
22.-The much discussed bill which
proposes to give all Indiana cities an
opportunity to pass upon the question
OF adopting either the commission or
commisslon-manager form of city gov
ernment will be ready for introduction
In the house of representatives Mon
day. 1t will be presented by Repre-
sentative James NJ. Knapp of Wayne
county. Representative ]. E. South
ard of Michigan City was to have
sponsored the measure, but he has
been ill and is confined to a local hos
pital.
Several cities of Indiana, Including
Anderson, kokomo and Richmond,
have expressed interest in the propos-
al and it is expected that delegations
from these and other cities will visit
the assembly and urge passage of the
bill. Opposition to the measure, also
has developed in some of the cities of
the state.
Other Bill Lost.
A similar bill introduced at the sesr
sion two years ago was adopted by the
house, but was lost in the jam at the
closing days of the senate. While
Representative Knapp will be sponsor
for the bill, A. R Halton, Of Western
Reserve university, Cleveland, an au-
thority on the subject, drafted the
measure. ,--..
The commission-manager plan, un-
der the bill, would be optional with
cities, the question to be determined
at special elections. The most active
advocates of the bill are secretaries of
commerce organizations in several
cities.
Provisions of Measure. ..--
The following is a digest of the pro-
visions of the measure, popularity
known as the optional charter bill:
The special election in cities to de-
termine whether to adopt the commits
sion, commission-manager or present
form of city government would take
place on petition of 10 percent of those
who voted at the last preceding mu-
nicipal election.
The plan selected would take effect
the first Monday in January next sue
ceeding the first election Of officers
under the new plan.
The commission would be elected at
large and have all powers and duties
of the common council, mayor and ex-
ecutive departments and boards.
Chosen In Groups.
The commission would be elected in
two groups, one for two years and one
for four years. Thereafter members
would be elected every four years.
The election would take place the
first Tuesday after the first Monday
in October of odd years.
If all candidates to be elected did
not receive a majority of the votes
cast, another election would take place
in November.
Nominations would be made by petit
ton of at least l percent OF the quail
fled voters. Nominating petitions
would be filed with the city clerk.
No Party Distinction.
Ballots would be without party
designation and the names of the can
didates would be rotated in such way
that one mans name would not appear
first on all ballots.
for election. The commission would
meet at least once each week.
The commission would elect one of
its members chairman with title of
mayor.
The city clerk would be chosen by
commission.
The commission would act only by
ordinance or resolution. No ordinance
could be passed unless it had been
read on three separate days. No ordl-
nance except emergency for legisla-
ton would go into effect until 80 days
after passage.
Voters would have the right to pro
pose any ordinance or resolution by
petition and to adopt same at the
polls. The bill provides for refer
endum.
The bill provides for strict budget
procedure and against political assess
ments and contributions and forbids
dual office holding.
Permits, Utilities Purchase
The bill permits purchase or lease
of public utilities; permits cities to
make contracts with public utilities
running for not more than % years;
requires separate accounting system
for municipal utilities; referendum on
bond issues and franchises and ap.
pointment of a city attorney and
city judge by the commission.
The commission would consist OF
five members. Salaries in cities OF
first class would not exceed $4,000,
second class $4,000. third class $1,000,
fourth class $500 fifth class $1,000,
ne mayor NOulU ISCtlNC ~ PCA SSht
extra.
Five Departments
The bill provides for five executive
depa rtments, public safety, finance.
public utilities, public works and
parks.
The commissioner appointed to be
mayor would be director OF public
safety. having control over police, fire
and health service. The city health
officer would be physician
| In cities adopting the manager plan,
! covered by Secs 1888, inclusive the
commission would consist OF nine
members of first class, seven In sec.
ond and third classes, and five in
| fourth and fifth classes The mayor
would receive SO per cent extra.
Appointment OF Manager
The commission would appoint a
city manager on the basis of execu-
| ouaI;f;naftnrc ond he yooA MT ~.