Evening star., 1933-01-07
Reform for New York City
Placed Among Possibilities

An aftermath of the. investigation of
conditions in New York City appears in
national discussion of the report by
Judge Seabury suggesting changes in
the city charter. Non-partisan voting
is one feature generally commended,
while proportional representation is be-
lieved to offer an opportunity to defeat
machine politics.
''The proposed new charter" accord
ing to the Springfield (MasS.) Union,
"ofers suggestions for permanent i'm
proVement provided only that the peo-
pie insist upon the right type of Off
cials and support them by public opin-
ion. A citizenry can have the kind of
government it insists upon. Judge Sea-
buryS great service was to reveal the
sort of misgovernment the city was get
ting, and that is as far as he can go.
Having revealed Tammany in its true
colors; the people of New York City
must do the rest. They now have it
within their power to change condi-
tions if they will" The Scranton Times
describes the proposed new charter as
a combination of plans outlined by
former Gov. Smith, Acting Mayor Nc
AASN1 III NAN11bldo murray ouJlCl anu
some others. While primarily intended
to give New York a more modern and
better form of government, back of the
Seabury plan is a purpose also to
weaken the control by Tammany of the
Nations greatest city"
y X X
Finding evidence that the Cincin-
natl form of local government had re-
ceiyed some attention in making plans
for New York City, the YOUNGSTOWN
Vlndicator points to the establishment
of non-partisan methods, and makes
the comment on the results achieved:
The report is of general interest for
two reasons. The evidence of waste
and corruption was presented to the
committee in face of opposition of city
authorities and the political organiza-
ton. Some weeks ago Judge Seabury
visited Cincinnati to study the home
rule charter and operations under the
city manager form of government, and
appeared to be so well pleased with
what he found that Queen City officials
had strong hope that their charter
would be taken as pattern for one
for the metropolis. 1t is plain that he
thought too radical a change in city
government could not be proposed at
this time. A non-partisan ballot for
the great city will be looked upon in
political circles as the most radical
change that could be thought of as a
means to correct abuses found by the
Legislative Committee
Emphasis is placed by the Rochester
Times-Union on the fact that govern
ing authority would be in the hands of
the mayor and a single legislative
chamber, with the controller as an
independent elected official of impor-
tance," and that members of the Coun-
Gil would be elected by boroughs under
system of proportional representa-
ton" As to the effect on practical
politics, that paper offers the deScrip-
ton: Without the difficult process of
direct fusion and a coalition ticket, Re
publicanS and independents may make
their votes effective against Tammany,
each OF these groups giving its own
candidate first choice and the others
candidate second choice. And probably
few who voted for minor opposition
candidates would list the Tammany
candidates as second or third choice
OF course, if Tammany can command
an absolute majority of votes, it can
dominate New York and run things
after it's own fashion, even under a
new charter. But this preferential Vot-
ing plan Is an excellent idea"
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