Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-03-11
LM|NGTON MADE
EFFECTIVE SHOW OF
CHARTER DEMAND
Delegation Left No Doubt as to
Popular Desire for Passage
of Measure.
CASE WAS WELL PRESENTED

state House, Dover, March IL.
A large army composed of advocates
of now charter for Wilmington,
stormed the Legislature yesterday
After the demonstration then staged
no legislator has u, valid reason for re-
sisting wilminGton's demand. Senator
Robertson told the Wilmington delega-
ton he would give the charter proposal
earnest consideration. He said the
matter is momentous and much iabor
is attached thereto. but If he could
frame a bin for the best interests Of
Wilmington and could pull 1t across he
would do 20.
wtlrninGfonians thronEed the HaE or
REPRESENTATIVES, for two hours while
ehe Senate and House committees on
municipal corporations listened 20 ap-
peaIs for the proposed charter.
Arguments for the Charter.
Senator Robertson presided. and
Leon Walker chairman of the General
Citizens Charter Committee. made the
Introductory address and presented the
other speakers. He detailed the efforts
made in Wilmington TO get a new char
ter and described meetings al which
the subject was considered He sub
mitted the new draft Of the bill and
stated a vast majority of citizens favor
it in its present form.
Mr.. Walker read a letter from George
w Sparks chairman OF the Bipartisan
Charter Committee. saying the charter
ss now proposed is a good one ana
expressing hope Of its passage lie
also quoted Herbert II. Ward. Robert
II. Richards and Robert G. Harman as
stating the Charter bin is constitutional
sn all respects and all parts.
Charles F. Curley. one of the trainers
Of the bill explained Il. He announced
that amendments had met all ooJeC-
tions. He described Wilmingtons pre-
ent cumbersome government and said
the purpose OF the bill is 10 centralize
authority and responsibility. Outlining
the elementals OF the bill. he pointed
put that. should It pass. election
would be held in June for Ave com
r,issionsrs 10 serve four years each.
When the commissioners assumed office
all municipal agencies and boards now
existing would cease TO function. He
defined duties of commissioners ana
stated the same board that had TO do
with raising money would have 70 do
with spending. He declared the city
manager could not be car and could
not perform public utility duties. lie
n.ntioned that Wilmington would be
assessed value of real estate. but could
not go above that percentage without a
-ererendum He told the manner Of
,lectins commissioners and cited pro-
ristons for recall. He believed the pro-
nosed charter would benefit conditions
n Wilmington.
Representative Virden directed atten-
ion 10 the bill creating Department
II Public Safety TO take charge OF the
Fire and Police Departments.
Mr.. Curley said the Charter bill would
so away with the personnel Of the De
osrtrnert of Public Safety as provided
bv the Senate bill concurred IN by the
House Wednesday. but the commits
.ioners could appoint the same men 70
10 the administrative work.
Miss jeanette Eckman hoped the
~-harter bill would pass. She believed
the citizens of Wilmington want a
change Of government.
Former Mayor Gives Testimony.
DR.. Harrison y Howell remarked
that four wears experience as mayor
taught him thc necessity for radical
change in the form Of government. He
tried to be mayor Of the people He
detailed the mayors functions and
stated the mayor is first or the list
70 buv tickets" He had an advisory
board Sonaetirles~he and City Council
agreed but not always.
DIR. Howell and Senator Robertson
differed concerning Councils budget
The former said the finance committee
makes the budget. and the latter stated
the whole Council makes It, Senator
Robertson thought DR.. Howell was re-
hecting on the finance committee but
the doctor made denial
DR.. Howell cited one department OF
the city banking money al two per
cent interest while another department
borrowed at six per cent He wanted
Wilmington put on sound business
basis. He could not see how the pro-
posed form of government would re-
duce taxes now-it might increase
taxes for awhile. but would decrease
them later He said $4,000 citizens had
signed letters favoring a change Of
government and $4,000 signatures could
have been obtained with time permit
ting. If the Republican party were
wise. he jokingly remarked Republi-
cans would "whoop" the new charter
because il would give them all the com
naissioners He announced that he
heartily favors q commission form of
government and begged the Legislature
70 give unbiased thought 10 the pend
ing bill.
business Men Favor Charter.
Alfred D. Warner. Jr., president Of the
Chamber of Commerce. stated business
men desire a change of city govern
ment. He thought the substitute bill
preferable to the original and stated the
Chamber indorsed H. He mentioned
that 200 cities are governed by com
missions.
William z. Corey reported that ths
Kiwanis Club favors a new form OF
government for Wilmington and Mrs
c. P NJ. Rumford Of the New Century
Club and Mrs. Alice Dunbar Nelson o.
the League of Colored Republican
Women also spoke in that behalf.
william E. Douglas told the legisls,
tors the Rotary Club is 100 per cen
BACK Of the charter movement.
Representative Kramer said the Cen
tral Labor Union sanctions the proposal
AMERICANIZATI0 SCHOOLS.
For T.ts