Evening journal., 1923-02-03

lapse between tlme OF dppi OPP
tions and collection OF taxes Aftel
some discussion. Mr.. Walker sug
I gested that the question should b'
looked into and corrected. Mayoi
Harvey maintained that the bill al
drawn only allowed one month II
which to prepare $4,000 tax bills
These bills, Elmer Klund. tax col
lector, declared had to be made out
three times. and at least thre'
months should be allowed for the
work.
Mayor Harvey also questioned how
a set of men, just elected in July
could pass an Appropriation ordi-
nance without having time 70 con-
slider what the appropriation should
cover.
Former State Senator Artemss
Smith supported the Mayors con
tention, and Mr.. Klund urged that
the fiscal year should begin on jan
uary 1. instead OF July /. Mr. Bush
said that under the commission
form of government clerical forces
could be shifted from one depart
ment to another. where there might
be a crush OF work something that
could not be done under the present
government
/ Mr.. Walker, az this juncture,
urged whole-hearted support OF the
charter movement by the business
interests OF the city. The charter
committee. he said, needed volun-
teers to assist It in its work OF en-
listing the interest OF the public at
large. Speakers who would go be-
fore various organizations were es-
pecially needed. Cash also would be
welcome to meet the expenses OF
the charter campaign.
Mr. Smith praised the Charter as
drawn; then. pointing out that even
the Federal Constitution was obtain
ed by compromise, said Il was
time for any person who had ob1ec-
tions TO the charter 70 state them
frankly. He expressed the belief
that the first five years under the
new charter would he more costly
than the present government.
He questioned the wisdom OF
electing members OF the proposed
Council at large. declaring choice
by districts would be more nearly
representative OF the wishes of all
sections OF the city.
"The men and women OF the
hum bier walks Of life would scarce
~ have representation were the
members OF Council TO be elected at
large"
In reply to question by ]. NJ.
Frere, Mr.. Smith declared the first
three years OF a corporation were the
hardest, after that the organization
would run more smoothly.
Leonard E. Wales deplored the
apparent indifference displayed to-
wards the charter by the public"
He wondered II it was thought the
charter were to be killed by the
politicians as was the last one"
Mr.. Wales declared the city man
ager form OF government was a
proven success, and cited its opera
tion in Cleveland, Akron, Dayton,
Colorado Springs. Houston, Nash
vile, Norfolk and Sacramento. Day
toms figures were the most interest
ing. he declared. There, with a tax
rate of $3.50 on 500. It cost al
most $500, 900 less to run It's govern
ment than Wilmington.
TT seems that some people think
that the city manager government
is all right for small places" con-
tnued Mr. Wales, yet results in
other cities the size OF Wilmington
prove that the scheme is feasible
for Wilmington" A great deal OF
overhead could be eliminated. he
said. such as the waste due to over
tapping departments and in pur-
chase OF supplies. He had not form |
ed a single instance where the tax |
rate had risen under the govern /
ment OF a city manager.
Mayor Harvey told OF receiving a
letter from Houston, Tex, that ap-
plies 10 Wilmington. This letter as
serted that the success OF a commits
,ion form OF government depended |
largely upon the qualifications OF
he men elected to the commission.
You can only elect the kind OF
uen you want II you arouse the in
crest OF the people" declared tho
Mayor. DO the people OF Whining
on want better government than
hey are getting. and II they do why
don't they come out and show their
interest? Are you going to improve
.hings much II the people don't want
IL? Are you satisfied YOU have
enough people back OF you 10
change this form OF government"
he asked
Asserting that I'VE have not now
4 bad city government" the Mayor
said he believed the charter, by
providing a simpler form, would
enable its officials TO do better work.
Under the present form OF gov
Wilmington is getting
about the best government 1t can
get" he added, but under the pro-
posed form it stands a chance to
get better. And /. for one, am
willing to take the chance" he de-
Jared, amid applause.
Mr. Harvey cited the fact that
,ne- half the population OF the State
vas in Wilmington and the city was
paying from three-fourths to four
ifths Of the States income as rea-
sons why Wilmington should seek
o get for itself all that it could get.
Unless the people can be aroused
rom their seeming lethergy. and
stand up and take sides for better
they DO not deserve a
better governmet," he continued.
The Mayor reiterated that he be-
ieved the new charter was an hon