Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-04-07
PARTISAN ENEMIES MUST
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
The Wishes of the People of Viii
mington Were Oetiantly
Ignored.
FIGHT MUST GO ON IF
VICTORY Is TO RESULT
Attention Called to Fact That
$4,000 Persons Asked for
the Charter.

Scher,inG Republican politicians. ac-
tuated by motives best known TO them
selves. are severely pilloried for the de
feat by the Legislature of the Whining
ton charter bill, in letter written by
Leon Walker. which was made pubic
today. Mr. Walker is chairman OF the
Citizens Charter Committee, which
sponsored the movement, following
suggestion in that behalf by the Ro-
tary Club and his letter, referred TO
above. is addressed 10 the organizations
ana individuals who supported the
movement The supporting organiza-
lions, all of which indorsed the nom
partisan bill. which was sidetracked IN
the senate and defeated in the House,
have a total membership according 70
the letter. Of IS 900 Their wishes. in
Mr. walkel $ view. were defiantiy Is
nored lie does not SEQ defeat OF the
movement however. if the effort is con-
tinued. and he urges all Interested 70
Keep up the fight, with view 10 50
irupressing the next Legislature with
the feelings Of Wilmington that the
eity's wishes cannot be ignored. In his
letter Mr. Walker points out that. while
IL was Republican schemers who Killed
the bin. il was the Republican organiza-
f40n 0I " lifilIkANil tiisAA IA - ANNBNa'SaN~
a. the suggestion that the bill be drawn
Is a bipartisan committee. the Demo-
cratic organization acquiesCing. Mr..
Walkers letter follows:
TO The Members OF The General Citi-
zens Committee. Bipartisan Commit
tee. All Organizations, Societies and
citizens Endorsing The Citizens
charter for Wilmington.
Dear Friends
our effors TO secure a co-ordinated-
economical and responsible administra-
ton 81 the affairs OF our city through
fhe medium Of a new charter have been
defeated by the politicians Of the Re
publican party. who, for reasons best
known 70 themselves. refused TO respond
- the call Of our citizenship Tor relief
from our present antiquated and dis
iointed form of government. The power
vas theirs. 50 IS the responsibility. As
your chairman. il now becomes my duty
IL render an account Of my steward
ship. That you may be fully informed.
and TO keep the records complete, il viii
be necessary for me 10 cover some de-
tails with which you may. 10 some ex-
tent. already be familiar.
Origin Of the Movement
The movement 70 secure a modern
form of government for our city was
launched by the Rotary Club of VIII
nington after due consideration, and
SOLELY for the reason that they deemed
u the essential need Of Wilmington. in
order that the city might take its right
ful place with other progressi q Amer
ican municipalities. To make sure Of
their position in the matter, some l.
800 letters containing a resolution
adopted by them were sent TO the var
ious organized bodies and individual
citizens asking them # they favored a
change in our covering laws. The
lesponses clearly established beyond
doubt that a pronounced public senti-
msnt existed for such a change.
Repu blcans Took Initiative.
This sentiment was so clearly ex-
pressed that in response thereto the
Republican City Committee, through
their chairman. requested the chairman
~ the Democratic CRY Committee to
form a bipartisan committee TO draft
Il new charter for Wilmington. This
was agreed 10 and a committee Of six
teen. eight Republicans and eight
Democrats was appointed by the city
chairmcn OF these two prominent poll
tical parties This committee was only
organized and at their request fund
al $50 was raised 10 meet their ex-
l.cnses. the Chamber Of Commerce,
KIwanis Club anC the Rotary Club each
contributing $50. The BIPARTISAN Com
inittee appointed from their members a
subcommittee Of four attorneys two
Republicans and two Democrats TO pre-
pare a charter 10 be drafted covering
the provisions as agreed upon by the
Committee.
Continued on page y