The Connecticut labor news., 1921-06-03

The action on the proposed charter change had been postponed from the last meeting to allow every delegate repre- senting the forty odd local unions of the city affiliated with the Council, to become familiar with the plan as proposed and to get the sentiment of his union. The result was that the meeting last night was attended by delegates representing prac- tically every branch in the city and one of the largest gatherings the Council has had in years.
 At the previous meeting a resolution was offered condenning the City Mana ger Plan as being detrimental to the in terests of the workers as a whole and pledging the council to urge all citizens to work against its adoption here Some months ago, Donald A. Adams of the City Manager Plan committee, had ad- dressed the Council at length and pointed out the theory of city manager govern ment, and his explanation had created some sentiment in favor of such form of government and the Council had adopted a resolution tentatively endorsing such a theory.
 The Council, however, last night could see little III common with the proposed charter change for New Haven and the glowing tributes given the City Manager Plan by Mir. Adams some months ago. While the delegates agreed that the City Manager Plan, as outlined by MT. Adams, might possibly have all the ad- vantages claimed for 1t, the present pro- posed charter went those expectations so many miles farther and gave such sweep ing powers to the few men who will con- trol the city and its affairs if the change was adopted, that there was none to de- fend 1t.
 In order to be consistent with the for mer action in tentatively approving of the City Manager form of government however the resolution before the meet ing was amended to read that the New Haven Trades Council IS unalterably op- posed to the present proposed change in the charter of New Haven, to a City Manager form of government, as being detrimental to the best interests of the worker and urges all citizens to vote against it on June II.
 The discussion was general, nearly every delegate taking part. The secrecy with which the self-appointed committee which fathers the charter change had gone about their work, had absolutely ig- nOred the charter rights and provisions for public hearings on such change Tn government had gone to Hartford and rushed the bill through both branches of te legislature when the city has the right at home under the present charter to change 1t any time 1t likes was denounced forcibly and agreed to by every delegate present.
 The present form of conducting city affairs was also generously discussed and the consensus of opinion was that things are going along in New Haven very well under the present system, even as com pared with cities where city manager gov ernment IS reported to be working well. The delegates could see no good reason for change now, especially as the pub lie had not been given a proper chance to discuss the change and know what they were asked to do.
 The discussion lasted more than an hour
 :, its end the vote showed every one
 esent in opposition to the proposed change and they were so recorded. The action of the Council will be transmitted to the local unions at their meetings next week and it is expected many will take similar action.