Evening journal., 1923-02-14
MORE ENDORSE
CITY CHARTER
Believe Fifty Organizations
Will Favor New Plan by
End of Week
SUCCESSFUL IN 300
PLACES, SAYS WALKER

4
Citizens Charter Committee.
Included in the list OF the lates
endorsers are the members of tn,
Young Women's Christian Associa
ton, Lawrence Roberts Post No. 21
American Legion. the Wilmington
Junior League, Catholic Daughters
OF America, Delaware Association Oi
life Underwriters. and the execu.
tive committee OF the Consumers
League of Delaware.
Already more than a score OF or
ganizations. through their officers
or executive committees, have gone
on record as favordng the charter
said Chairman Walker. Before the
end OF the week It is believed that
at least fifty such endorsements win
I have been received.
! Members OF Welcome Lodge, 1T.
o. L. A. NJ. tonight will listen to a
discussion of the charter by Leon
ard p. Wales. Henry r. Isaaos will
/ present the subject TO members OF
\ the knights OF Columbus ON Thurs
day evening, while william P. White
will talk on ths same subject before
| the workmen of America.
ANY organization in the city. said
/ Chairman Walker. That wants TO
hear a discussion Of the charter.
should quickly make a request of the
committee. because II is desired TO
give people full information on the
subject.
TN making a calm and unprej-
udiced Investigation OF the form OF
government proposed for Whining
ton, and conpreheded in the spe-
cial act now before the Legislature,
the thoughtful citizen viii naturally
and logically give much weight 20
the testimony OF experience, de-
clared Chairman Walker.
HE will inquire as to how the
same form OF government has work
ed IN other cities-and the result OF
this inquiry viii and ought 10 go a
great way toward enabling him 20
reach a correct decision. The Gen
eral Citizens Charter Committee,
from time to time. through publicity
matter and through able speakers
who have ehampioned the commis-
slon-manaser plan on the platform,
have presented the testimony OF 9TH
er cities which are now operating
under this form of government.
None of this testimony can be
successfully questioned by the op-
position. Above all the purely local
considerations. the petty prejudices
and iealousies, the appeals to the
personal element, with which the op-
position has sought to becloud the IS
sue. the fact stands out that the tes-
timony OF other cities speaks elo
quently and convincingly OF the
merit OF the commission-manager
plan.
TT Is estimated that the same
plan proposed for Wilmington has
successfully functioned in more than
800 cities and towns. 1t is estab
lished that these towns have found
in the plan none Of the dangerous
and offensive features which the op-
position has so absurdly claimed. 1t
Is established that there Is practi (
cially no public sentiment in any
of these towns IN favor OF changing
back to the old councilmanic sys-
tenn.
For the benefit OF those who /
have not taken the time or trouble |
to study the reports from the va
rious cities, and in order to make .
clear and concise consensus OF the !
workings Of the commission-mana- .
ger form in the various cities which |
have tried Il. a survey was recently J
made by a committee acting under !
the auspices OF the New York Blu /
reau Of Municipal Research-an as
ISOLATION Of leading men who have
given the subject OF municipal gov
ernment thorough and impartial |
study.
THE result Of this survey. which |
occupied many months. and which |
was conducted in a most systematic 4
and impartial manner. is set forth
In that excellent work. "Ths New
City Government" by Henry Bruere
which. by. the way. can be had at
the Wilmington Public Library.
The summary of the report Is
herewith given and all citizens who
desire 10 decide this question in
telligently are asked TO read Il. II
developed the following gains OBJ
aained by the commission manager
governed cities. as a whole:
With respect TO popular control,
eliminates party politics. dethrones
the boss: prevents subordination OF
city administration TO the purpose
OF a political organization; estab-
fishes a short ballot and simplihes
elections: unifies the city as a
organism by abolishing the
ward system; gives citizens great
responsibility through the initiative.
referendum and recall: creates a
new and better civic spirit; COM
pels commissioners to enact ordl-
nances popularity desires; unifes
public opinion.
with respect 10 official respon-
lbility-centralfzes responsibility 80
II cannot be evaded; places respon-
slbility for departmental administra-
ton sqlarely upon the shoulders OF
a conspicuous official; prevents
by the checks OF
recall and referendum.
from exercising harmful powers;
establishes a definite subordinate
responsibility; requires commis-
sioners 10 take care Of the needs OF
All parts OF the community.
with respect to administratic~ -
Brings about economy; prov
government at work every in
he year; provides for tho minis
ration OF the city the sdme con-
,entrated executive force working
in its interests which dis
every large corporation;
substitutes efficiency for red tape;
facilitates and expedites transaction
q h..nir 80. Al n...n..na.... "a