ITEMS OF INTEREST December 14, 1907 Issue

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Delegates from seventeen States met in convention at Philadelphia Nov. 19th, to further the project for an inland water-way along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to North Carolina. Much of the route of the water-way already exists and it is proposed that the channels of the canals, rivers, bays, etc., that are to be a part of the water-course be deepened and widened so as to permit the passage of the largest warships. It is the idea of the projectors to run the water-way from Barnstable Bay on the north side of Cape Cod to Beaufort Inlet, N. C. It is believed that this route would save many millions of dollars in freights to the business interests of the North and South, besides cutting down the water distance of coastwise steamers. Many papers were read on various phases of the scheme. Congressman Burton, chairman of the Committee of Rivers and Harbors, said: "From Maine to California the demand for inland water-ways of the right sort is general, and there is no longer any excuse for delay. Trade in many localities is suffering because of the lack of water facilities, and from every standpoint the plan would be a splendid investment for the Government. In my opinion the Government should not hesitate to issue bonds to enable this movement to be carried out without delay. I believe that ultimate success is certain."

The report of the Charter Revision Commission of New York City recommends many changes in the city charter, which tend to give to the city a greater latitude of home rule. The Commission finds that the increase in the budget since 1898 from $79,000,000 to $143,000,000 is due to a great extent to legislative interference, and recommends that all mandatory laws increasing expenditures by the city should be repealed. Other suggestions are: An increase in the powers of the mayor as to appointment and removal; curtailment of the power of the borough governments; abolishing the board of aldermen as now constituted and creating in its place either a body composed of the five borough presidents and sixteen aldermen, or a board of ordinances composed of members of the board of estimate, except the mayor, who shall have the veto power, the five borough presidents and the vice-mayor; the reduction of the board of education to fifteen members and added importance to the forty-six local boards of education; creation of a department of street control, appointed by the mayor; a bureau for the purchase of supplies for all departments. It is also suggested that the City Record should be made "a modern municipal newspaper of daily value."

Senator McCumber of North Dakota has framed a bill for introduction at the next session of Congress designed to provide "for the incorporation, control, and government of associations organized to carry on business, entering into or becoming a part of interstate commerce." The bill includes the notions on the subject of publicity of accounts.

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