Evening journal., 1921-05-31

the best authorities who have made
municipal government a study for
years and which today are being ap-
piled in other American cities with
most satisfactory results.
l say indefinite in the other in
stance, because Mr. Harvey, while
you state you were in favor OF the
Citizens Charter, you are now. for
some unexplained reason. only in
favor OF a new charter. the provi-
sions OF which you do not define.
Your charter may be one of the many
which were offered or suggested dur
ing the recent charter campaign;
you may have In mind the charter
which the politicians of your party
endeavored to pass, after they de-
cided to kin the Citizens Charter, or,
on the other hand, you may have
charter the provisions of which will
be an Improvement over the latter
in which event Il should be endorsed.
Gentlemen, this is nor a personal
matter. You are both seeking public
office; you are soliciting the votes Of
the citizens. and the citizens. in or
| der to intelllgently cast their ballots,
should be definitely informed The
issue is plain. you either do or dc
not endorse the effort of the Citizens
Committee to secure commission.
manager charter with certain funda.
mental provisions, notably;
A commission Of five elected al
large ON a non-partisan ticket and
subject TO recall.
A city manager selected by the
commission on whom would repose
all administrative duties relative to
the government Of the city.
A referendum and protest on all
ordnance
A charter providing home rule for
Wilmington, and one which would
secure the greatest welfare for the
citizen body, and not conserve the
interests Of any faction, political
party. or individuals.
You have both stated you were in
favor OF a new charter. viii you,
therefore. pledge yourselves. IL elect
ed, to support the efforts of the Citi-
zens' Committee TO write a commits
sion-manager charter providing for
the above fundamentals. and will you
make every legitimate effort to secur,
Its enactment into law at the mex
session of the Legislature?
As chairman of the General Ciu
zens' Charter Committee, invite yoi
both 10 answer these question in
clearly defined statement In extend
ing this invitation, / wish to assur
you that have no desire nor inten
TO place either of you in any unfal
or embarrassing position. believ
a new charter ombodying the prime
pies OF the commissioners
non-partisan form OF government
the essential need Of our city. an
also that the election TO of1ice at tn
, time Of those men who will sincerel
support our efforts two years henC
Will be an important factor In brinl
ing about this desired result. and fC
this reason I submit these question
20 you on behalf Of the friends G
good government, In order that the
may be intelligently and defnitel
informed Of your position on the Is
sues involved herewith.
Availing myself of this oppor
tunity. ! urge the men and wome
who have the future welfare Of VIII
mington al heart 10 withhold thel
final decision in this matter unit
they have received the statemen
above requested from Mr.. Bayart
and Mr. Harvey and then let then
vote accordingly
Respectfully yours.
LEON WALKER,
Chairman.
I General Citizens Charter Committee
p. S. In view OF the public natur,