New-York tribune., 1922-05-24
Referendum 10
Precede Change
In W estchester
Commission Gives Pledge to
Submit Any Program for
City Within the County
t" Popular Test at Polls
Political Scheme Denied
No tphcaval in System Of
Government Is lntcn,'cd.
Board Says at Meeting

INC eS'chester County Govern
ment Commission, sitting yesterday as
an enlarged body empowered to make
recommendations for changes in The
present form of government. adonted
resolutions TO the effect that if ''bv anv
unforeseen circumstance" il should ho
deemed advisable to make any part OF
the county city the entire matter
would be submitted to a referendum of
the people.
1t was the first meeting Of the aug
mehted commission. i'hc purpose was
the laying Of plans for a comprehcnsivc
study of conditions through committees
and committees. with a view TO
making recommendations for improve
ments that the members of the COM
mission believe TO be necessary Refer
ehce to city plan was incidental to
the dctbcratlonS and was introduced
INTO the discussion by Henry R. Bar
fett, the chairman, who reiterated that
the commission has no definite suc-
gestlons or any prcconceived plans of
reorGan lzatlon. any reports to the con
trary notwith standing."
Aims of Board Summarized
In llne with the promise or Mr.
Barrett a week ago 10 set forth the
atms of the commission and the CON
dItjons which he said were recuors;ble
Tor the commissions creation by act
OF the Legislature, q statement was
read Incorporating these points and
approved bN the nineteen members
present. This statement reads in mart
as follows:
"Since 1896 there have been more
than 200 special acts passed bv the
Legislature for the relief Of the munic-
lpalitleS IN WestChestcr County and
the county, covering every portion Of
mCnicipal service taxes. public works.
various county officers and numerous
sublects-for the reason that tho gcn-
eral county law, when made, did not
anticipate the conditions which cyist
IN our county. Without attempting to
cover even reasonably all the points
winch would arise in study. the out
s'anding features may be mentioned:
The present necessity for fol-
lowing financial procedure laid out
On TINS county have outgrown to such
an extent that ii is inefficient. cum
hersome and expensive.
=. The lack Of procedura for the
care OF the poor. insane and INDECENT
chlidren. both in the county and towns.
Police Protection Not Sufficient
CA lack OF sufficient police rrotec-
tlon outside Of villages and cities and
a lack of cooperation between the ex-
listing forces.
ne lack OF any regular policy Of
county improvements. highways PARKS,
sewers. water. etc.
. The lack Of a proper tax system.
which while improved b. the last
amendment, stil makes no zeal pro
vision for equalization Of assessments
between the various territories and
various subdMi ions
6-Ihe lack of system of inferior
courts now being conducted by seventy
SIX Justices Of tn" peace, most of whom
are unframed men.
"1-There is no county dcpartmen,
Of health matters. these matters being
supervised by the State Board Of
Health.
"S-The procedure provided for the
system of coroners
90 The lack Of proper procedure for
carrying on the government Of the
towns III themselves and also with re-
lation to tho county,"
In addition. Chairman Barrett said.
we have the important questions of
water. transit. education, parks and
children's courts.'
'lt is such conditions as these. not
to speak Of the financial systems and
procedure provided by law for the
county. that have. in part. set on foot
this 1nqulry,' the chairman declared
As to politics entering into the work
Of the commission, Mr.. Barrett said
the county. its possibilities Of future
development and the need of changes
TO meet the present and future situa-
l'on Is greater and broader than any
pohtlcai party. An attempt to make
politics out OF this work would be so
shoT-slghted. foolish and bad politi-
(Conunuod paac e,shJ