The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-21
DEATH BLOW GIVEN
TO TRAFFIC LAWS
City Attorney Says Council Can't
Give Authority to Police
Board.
NAY INCREASE FORCE
Many Other Measures Including
Salary Increases Are Acted
Upon.

Tho traffic regulations drawn up
by the board of police commissioners
received what Is probably their death
blow at the hands of the committee
on ordinance, charter and reform
Thursday night. when members of
that body recommended their reJee-
ton.
The action was brought about by
City Attorney Pollard, who declared
that he did not believe council had
the right to delegate To another body
the power to make and enforce laws
In the city.
Disappointed at the defeat of the
measure. several members of the
board of police commissioners, who
were present at the meeting, then
urged that the police force he in
creased by twenty-five men. Commits
soner Thomas declared that only for
ty-eight men are now on duty
throughout the entire city at night
As result. he said they are forced
10 patrol beats too large To insure
competent police protection To all the
residents therein After considerable
debate the matter was referred to a
subcommittee consisting of Messrs
Mitchell. LuInsden and Moore.
An ordinance creating the office of
assessor OF damages. at salary of
$500 annually, WAS recommended to
council after considerable debate. All
amendment to the measure increas-
ing the salary from $500 To sl.209
annually wak suggested. but was de-
feated following the explanation that
after the first rush. the duties would
occupy only few days Of the as
SCISSORS time every month,
Amend building Code.
Two amendments To the building
code were offered. one arranges for
the erection OF four family tenements
OH Cross streets north of Cary and
west OF esilfner streets. without fore
Ing the builders To comply with rega-
lA.ions that usually affect apartment
houses. The other prohibits the cree
ton or repair of any dwelling on
any stree; or alley less than 25 feet
In width. The first amendment was
favorahly recommended. The second
wsts sent 10 council With the recon-
mendatton that ii be rejected.
Measures Disposed OF.
Other measures were disposed of
rs follows
Reducing the commission Of the
collector OF city taxes from as Ia IS
OF one per cent, tabled until Goilee-
tor Cunningham may appear and pre-
tng on the case.
Creating the position OF second as
Eistant 10 the superintendent Of the
water department, sent back to the
water committee without recomnen-
Uattun.
increasing the salary OF the book
keeper and clerk Ia the office of the
engineer from sl.3he To 81. sou .
amended IL read to sl.50G" and
recommended.
Providing for tho appointment Of a
male nurse at the city jail. at IL
salary Of $500 annually. referred to
subcommittee,
Ordinance requiring street cars 10
stop on both sides uf the street AT all
transfer points. tabled until existing
laws can be examined
Increase Salaries.
Creating the position of keeper Of
Joseph Bryan Park tabled because
Of lack Of appropriation for such
Office
increasing the salary Of the custn-
dian Of the city auditorium from seoa
10 $500 per year. recommended
Increasing the salary of the clerk
10 the city auditor from $500 to
$i,s0a and the salaries az two office
clerks from $40 monthly to S1e9
monthly. recommended
An ordinance To abolish the com
mittee on apporttonmsnt cf funds
Of the anncNed territory and to eS-