Evening star., 1934-08-03
NEW YORK FIGHT
HEADSFO ROCKS
Smith and Seabury Cause
Confusion by WaIkout
at Charter Meeting.
~ the Associated Press.

NEW YORK. August 3.--An1id the
dsepest confusion. legislative efforts TO
nodernize and readlust New York
City's ancient charter headed toward
The rocks today under the impetus Of
fhe resignation from the Charter
Commission Of former Gov. Aired T.
Smith and Samuel Seabury.
Reaigning az q protest against oila-
tory tactics OF commission members
seeking 10 maintain the governmental
and political status quo in New York
City, Smith nevertheless was ready TO
take his fight 10 the people over the
radio.
Mrs. George wyeth. secretary Of the
commission. was the latest 70 follow
the lead set by Smith and Seabury.
She rendered her resignation 20 Sec
Yetary OF State Edward j. Flynn today.
Hope Of People Betrayed.
She charged the commission had
s'betrayed the hope of the people" for
an easing Of the tax burden.
Two other members OF the conmis-
sion also had resianed--Charles H.
Tuttle. former United States attor-
ney and James Marshall, 9 well
known Republican.
Unwilling to regard the situs ton as
more than "a purely temporary set
back" Mayor La Guardia--long a
vigorous proponent Of consolidating
government functions-struck out at
''the antics of the politicians"
81 wouldn't wish any one the he'll
! am going through In trying 10 save
this city from the financial ruin that
] had to take over" the mayor said.
"Our present system was conceived
and developed for the purpose of fat
tening politicians and giving power
TO political machines
Difficulties Increased.
In Albany. where the Legislature
has not yet taken action on necessary
county reform legislation. due to
opposition Of Republican leaders, the
resignation Of Smith and Seabury
only added TO existing difficulties. A
recess was taken until Monday with
little hope Of passage Of important
legislation before predicted adjourn
ment on Wednesday.
'These developments add confusion
to confusion" said legislative leader. |
The present contretemps was
brought about at last nights meeting
OF the commission when II Of the
commissions membership voted to re-
cess without action until Tuesday
too late TO do anything.
OF the 10 members opposing the re-
cess. five have now resigned.
NCF4atfh Hfyp.xalu klas,g tKw.
explanation OF one commission mem
Der. "The adjournment proposed at
the meeting was simply for the pur-
pose OF reconciling differences in the
commission on borough government"
Favors Continuance.
Frank j. Prial, former Tammany
city controller, declared the commits
sion should continue and complete
the object for which 1t was created"
Both Smith and Seabury had def
mite views on New York City's form Of
five separate boroughs, each with a
borough president holding important
administrative and patronage powers.
The commission had voted 10 abolish
these powers. but last night sought 10
reconsider the vote over objections OF
the Smith group. :. -
Smith WAS preparing a statement
today at his home In Easthampton to
broadcast Monday night In explana-
tion of his resignation 1t was
thought Seabury might join him on
the air.
Seahury, vice chairman OF the pres
ent commission and scourge OF mu-
nicipal corruption, said:
IT think the Legislature should re-
peal the law under which this COM
mission was appointed and provide by
law that the mayor Of the city ap-
point commission to draw a charter
that should be sumbitted to the peo-
pie for their approval"
Would Go to the People.
Smith, too, chairman of the COM
mission and an ardent advocate Of
reform, was reported ready to follow
q tactic typical Of his long public
service-to carry his case to the
people"
The crisis in the affairs of the pres
,ent commission was reached at a |
meeting last night-the last hour at
which it could legally take the neces-
Sary steps for reform.
Its members had been warned by
counsel that it must take action at
once If it was to comply with the
legal requirement for submission Of
the draft Of new charter to the
electorate by the FAN of 1885.
After a brief meeting the commits
sion voted. II to 10, to adjourn until
,Tuesday-too late to do any good.
Stamping out of the county court
house meeting room, Smith stopped
only long enough to say:
Only one decision was made to-
night. and that was made by me 1
decided TO resign" He said notice
OF his resignation win be sent today
to the Secretary Of State.
Seabury Action Similar.
Seabury joined Smith, asserting:
81 refuse to have anything to do with
the present effort to put over sham
charter under the pretenSe Of benefits
which the people will never receive
1rom it,
Former United States Attorney
Charles II. Tuttle also announced his
resignation frcm the commission.
The commission had approved a
bicameral form of municipal Legisla-
ture. substantially the same as the
present one. Seabury and Smith pro-
posed a single-chamber Legislature,
abolishing the Board of Estimate and
eurtailing the powers Of the five
borough presidents.
BAND CONCERTS.