A new city charter was proposed by the acting mayor of Tucson. The last charter had been drawn up in 1883, and the acting mayor believed the city had outgrown it.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Friday, August 11, 1916:
NEW CITY CHARTER URGED BY BERNARD
May Call Election to Choose Freeholders to Draw Up Law
A movement for the formulation of a new charter for the city of Tucson is being initiated by Acting Mayor Bernard and other city officials who believe that the city has outgrown the present charter, which was put into effect in 1883.
This far the matter is merely in the preliminary stages and there is nothing definite concerning the changes which would be made in the proposed instrument. There is a general feeling however, that the old charter has become obsolete and is a hindrance to the growth of the city, and that it is high time that a new and up-to-date charter be put into effect.
The general plan by which a city of more than 3500 inhabitants can initiate a new charter is described in the Arizona Civil statutes, Sec. 2033, page 706, 1913. According to the plan, a board of freeholders consisting of fourteen members may be elected at a general or special election to prepare and propose a charter for the city within 90 days after the election.
The proposed charter must be signed by a majority of the members, one copy being filed with the chief executive officer and another with the county recorder. It must be published for 21 consecutive days, and within 30 days and not earlier than 20 days must be submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of the city for their approval or disapproval.
If it is approved by a majority of the voters at the election it is then submitted to the governor, who is to sign it if it does not conflict with the laws of the state. It then becomes the organic law of the city and supersedes any charter before existing and all ordinances inconsistent with it.
An election may be called by the legislative body of the city, or may be initiated by petition with the signatures of 25 per cent of the voters in the last general municipal election. The election for freeholders must be held not later than 30 days after the call.
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Tucsonans were looking forward to the Southern Arizona fair in October. The committee teased readers with some event possibilities.
FAIR DISCUSSED AT INFORMAL MEETING
Marathon, Auto Races and Motorcycle Race are Probable Events
At an informal meeting held yesterday evening at the Tucson chamber of commerce, plans for the coming session of the Southern Arizona fair were discussed. The fair will be held October 20, 21 and 22, a week after the Safford fair and a month prior to the state fair. These dates will fall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Nothing definite was decided upon yesterday, but the discussions centered on the details of the program of sports. A fifty-mile auto race and a novelty race for small cars were talked of. These races will probably be held on separate days of the fair.
The San Xavier marathon is a strong probability as an attraction, but it will probably not be run from the Mission as before, but will run on the half mile track before the spectators in the grandstand. The present indications are that a field of at least 20 entrants will be in the race to take Bill Ahrens’ title of Southwestern champion away from him. The marathon is talked of for the first day.
A motorcycle race to be run on the five mile track at the same time that the marathon is being run on the other track is another probable event. This event is in high favor with the promoters of the fair.
A whole day devoted to a program of “wild west” events is another popular idea. This may be arranged for the closing day of the fair.
In addition to these, there will be the usual horse races and other attractions. The exhibits will be specially attractive the present season, as efforts are being made to co-operate with the other fairs in this matter.
Among those at the meeting were President Sam Barkley, Secretary Myers, Vice President Jack Ryland, Fred Ronstadt, J. W. Estill, Shad Bowyer and many others.
The Arizona State Federation of Labor held its convention in Tucson. Prohibition was a major topic of discussion.
COMPENSATION LAW OPPOSED BY LABORITES
Letter Read from Brewery Workers Attacking Prohibition; Convention Limits Tenure of Office to Two Years
By a unanimous vote the Arizona State Federation of Labor convention disapproved of the proposed initiated workmen’s compensation law already filed with the secretary of state to be voted on at the fall election.
Speakers declared that the present law was bad, but that the proposed law would be worse, and the resolution urging the use of the resources of the federation for its defeat was unanimously passed.
A bitter attack on prohibition was contained in a communication to the federation from the Brewery Workers union of Cincinnati, which was read in the convention yesterday afternoon. The letter was accompanied by a statement of opinion strongly adverse to prohibition made public recently by Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor.
Several delegates objected to the reading of the communication on the ground that, according to a recent resolution passed by the federation, all matters concerned with prohibition were barred. President Wilkinson, however, ruled that the matter as a communication had the right to be read.
A motion requesting clemency for Tally, a murderer condemned to death at Miami, was passed but delegates favoring the resolution disclaimed any purpose of bringing up the subject of capital punishment.
Following the afternoon session the delegates were taken on a motorcade to the San Xavier Mission in 25 machines furnished by the Tucson chamber of commerce. Secretary Myers and his assistant, Roy B. Leach, had charge of the arrangements for the motorcade.
At the morning session a warm fight developed over the report of the committee recommending a resolution to limit the term of office of officers of the state federation to two years. After a long debate the proposition was adopted by a vote of 99 to 14.
Delegate H. S. McCluskey, of the Miners Union of Miami, led the fight against the report of the committee. He has just returned from the convention of the Western Federation of Miners at Great Falls, Mont. He opposed the limit of two years on the ground of efficiency, claiming that officers who had become experienced should not be displaced by inexperienced men.
The position of Delegate McCluskey was strongly opposed by numerous delegates, among them President Wilkinson. Delegate Shea of Globe also favored the two year limit.
The convention by a vote of 78 to 23 approved a resolution that not more than one member of each craft shall sit on the executive board.
Thomas H. Adams of Phoenix, delegate from the theatrical employees union of that city, was excused from further attendance on the convention as he left yesterday evening for Baltimore to attend a national convention.
