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Newspaper
Coshocton Age
Location
Coshocton, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Feb 16, 1906
Page
3
Longstanding Ohio bills would grant mayors and cities sweeping control including tax valuation boards and real estate assessments. Proponents warn of patronage and political abuse while opponents urge careful public discussion before passage.
The Paine bill proposes a mayor controlled system with appointive department heads, civil service merit rules, and a strong city board. It would empower mayors to appoint key officials, abolish the solicitor election, and create a unified public safety and health structure. It also grants cities power to own operate street railways and utilities with voter approval. It would take effect in November 1907 if enacted.
Ohio Senate Bill No 35 proposed by Senator Fred C Howe would abolish boards of review and grant city mayors full power to fix and change valuations for real and personal property tax. It allows appointing a three person department of taxes and assessments, with duties under mayoral appointment and removal, and would enable direct political use of tax valuations.
The mayor acts as chief conservator of the peace with authority to appoint the board of public safety subject to council approval. He may appoint a private secretary and clerks, veto council resolutions, convene department heads for consultation, appoint police and fire personnel under merit rules, and designate health board members. He may attend council meetings to answer questions when requested.
The draft reforms would create a city tax board with broad control over real and personal property assessments, authorize cities to own and operate street railways, allow possession through appropriation, and permit grant of street railway franchises with owner consent requirements. It also proposes regulating labor hours for women, minors, and workers in factories and stores.
Fragmentary OCR outlines proposed city power moves including building and running gas plans, abolishing private gas, direct labor for public work, maintaining public shops, compelling utility undergrounding, and leasing conduits. It also mentions regulating rates and service standards for public service companies.
Introduced by Representative Metzger of Cuyahoga county the measure at Mayor Sohnspn’s request would let a city council grant a street railway franchise by a simple majority vote without prior franchise applications bidding or majority property owner consent. If voters reject the proposition the current framework remains in place.
The Stockwell bill Nos 158 introduces expanded municipal powers over street railway franchises and possible municipal ownership. It allows renewal of a franchise to nonowners under public interest, permits cities to appropriate tracks and equipment if a majority favors municipal operation, and sets price based on reproduction cost plus depreciation and up to 20 percent. It also proposes biennial voter referenda on whether to require and operate a street railroad.
In Columbus Ohio, the annual session shows lawmakers voting 35 to 1 against a mayoral code detailing the appointment of solicitors. Mayor Newton L. Baker of Cleveland is noted as the sole solicitor in favor. A special committee recommended electing public service directors.
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