The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-24
Chamber Of Comnlerc { e
Failed to Indorse Plan
Because Of Defects.
THOUGHT BEST
TO WAIT AWHILE
The Plan Was Fully Discussed
Judge Old Showing Good
Results in Norfolk, and
Mr.. Turpin Ridiculing
New Tangled
Scheme.

Municipal government In Richmond
by means OF a Board Of Control under
the plan proposed by committee OF
tho City Council. received q distinct
setback last night at. a mass.meeting of
citizens held under the auspices OF the
Chamber OF Commerce. While no ac-
tlon was taken, and every speaker
seemed more or less in favor OF the
GENERALIZATION of the city government.
IL seemed to be the consensus of
opinion that the detects in the plan
presented rendered It impracticable,
that IT was not comprehensive enough
| In Its scope. and thntits adoption would
but add another wheel to already COM
| plicated machinery. Open advocates Of
1.-The Capitalization plan Joined with
Those, who. with possible view to
coming elections, argued on both sides
lof the fence, in recommending the APP
| pointment 6f a commission OF citizens
| to consider thoroughly the matter in all
| OF its details. such a commission
lmight In the course OF time evolve q
complete new charter for the govern
ment OF the city In manner not un.
| like that by which the State OF vir-
glnia gained Its present new Constitu-
ton MEANWHILE the city would have
1.-THE experience OF those towns which
are experimenting with the commission
or board plan. a scheme now too much
! In Its infancy to receive the approval
OF some OF those who took part in the
ldiscusslons. That the present system
of city government, with Its innumer-
i able boards and committees, was
/ clumsy In form and expensive In oper.
alton, none denied, but the majority Of
j those present were evidently Of the
i opinion that sufficient thought and dis
/ cussfon had not as yet been given 10
4 the matter to secure the ideal charter
for which the city was striving.
Praised by Judge Old.
Judge, w. w. Olu. OF Norfolk. an able
/ advocate Of the Board OF Control plan,
land a member OF ths commission OF
sEcit tzenss which drafted e.hss prassn nt or.
ganic Law OF Norfolk, presented the
hoard idea as 1t has been worked out
lin that city. making no criticism OF
,Ilocal conditions. Judge Old told OF the
conditions under which his city had
lstruggled. of her complicated boards,
which managed streets and sewers.
l|'water and health. and of the resulting
\ friction between tn cut, 8
|ments. The appointment OF the char
4 ter commission to study out a plan
which would give the city effective
4 government. at minimum OF cost. was
Il described u was the orsanlzatlonS9 OF
that commission. which sat for the
4 greater part o. a year, holding ninety
! two business sessions, and collecting
I Ian enormous amount of material as to
the government Of cities In this coun-
try and abroad. For some time. he
said, the board favored the New Haver
i plan. In which the chiefs Of the various
) city departments were themselves made
4 the Boa. ID OF Control. the Texas plan oi
turning over the entire governmenttc tc
commission. and abolishing both
Mayor and Council, being in contra
, vention Of the Constitution OF Vir'
!. ginia. The commission finally agreed
: on a board OF three citizens. OF which
> the Mayor was not member. but a
supervisor, who was above the board
:; The whole public In Norfolk. said Judge
: Old. stood behind the move, and the
!. Council passed 1t unanimously.
, The division of authority was clear
: to any one. since under the presen,
{ plan the Council makes laws and the
Board OF Control executes them: the
Council levies taxes and the board ex.
pends the money. under the general
II appropriation OF the Council.
Judge Old stated that the plan had
q been In operation since September.
6Il906, and that In the first fiscal year
: the board returned to the city treas.
ury. out OF total appropriation by the
Council OF Sl,30o.o0o. a saving OF
) $4,000. 50 ii