The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-19
CONCENTRATION IN THE
CITY GOVERNMENT
Steps Already Taken In This Direction and What
Will Be Still necessary. ONT Committee
Has Not Held Single Meeting.

The suggestion Of City Engineer
CntshaW III Ills communication to the
street Committee OF the Council rela-
yeying the annexed territory that
board OF control or public work lie
created witch shall .supervi.t. and
control NIL plans, estimates, etc, again
brings this proposition toAt the front.
several times recently practically the
same Suggestion has been made by
Councllneti on the floor OF the Coun-
ell or In formal resolutions looking
to making this experiment, II such
n plan may still be 10 regarded.
Colonel Cutshhw Is mistaken In sug-
sestion that such q board he "at onoc
! established" AS q matter OF fact, the
city cannot Under the charter adopt
the plan he suggests until The Legisla-
ture shall have amended the charter
1t Is true, however, that Two sugges-
lions Of such amendment, 10th OF them
OF a definite nature. are now pending
In committees of the Council. rho pur-
pose OF enclr1s 10 instruct kichmond's
representatives In the two houses Of
the General Assembly to have the char
ter 80 amended as to reduce the num-
fber Of Councilman ana Aldermen, ana
10 confer upon n board OF three sal
aried members all the executive powerR
now exercised by Council committees.
Concentration Of Powers.
Police Commissioners Chris Manning
WAS one of the first men In nich-
mond to advocate such concentration
lOf executive and administrative powers,
and was go quoted In the prcss He
has not offered any resolution or or
dinaniice, not being a member OF the
Council. Some time afterward. Alder-
man Marx Gunst. IN the discussion Of
some question before the Board. placed
| himself on record as favorlng a reduc.
ton OF the number OF Councilman
and Aldermen and compehsating them
for their work 80 that they might de-
vote their entire time and Thought
ana study to the municipal problems
arising from time to time.
Mayor Carlton Mccarthy, In his iness
sage more than h year ago, made d
similar suggestion. urging such a plan
1 as a means Of promoting efficiency and
OF eliminating friction ana delay un
avoidnble under the proscht Council
\ and committee plan OF procedure.
(. Possibly the first definite Legislative
movement In this city looking to con.
ferment of power upon board Of
municipal management was the join,
resolution offered by Alderman w. T
Dabney some months ago. Prior to
that. however. Alderman; Gnnst hos
suggested the Idea in ii meeting 81
4 the Board. A month or more after
/ Mr.. Dabneys resolution hid been Of
fered and passed. General A., L. Phil,
1 lips, Councilman for Leo Ward. offered
! q resolution along somewhat similai
i lines. This was referred to the Com.
mittee on Ordinances. Charter and Re.
form. and no report has yet been madt
thereon. So far as known, this com.
inittee has not even begun c'eisidern.
tion OF It.
" Committee a appointed.
4 Mr.. Dabney's resolution provided FOL
the. creation Of a special toint coin
4 fnittee, OF which the Mayor was to b,
an advisory member. to lnqure int
. the feasibility and dcslrabiity Of $:
amending the charter Of the city a!
to provide for board Of municipal
II . {