The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-22

Changes in the form OF city govern
ment will be discussed by the Coun-
ell Committee on Ordinance, Charter
and Reform. before which the ordi
nance for red'strictinE the city and
creation of an administrative board
are now pendin. on "Wednesday night,
November 80. The committee laat
night agreed on that date for a final
hearing, the press being requested to
make announcement that any parties
wishing to be heard for or against the
proposed measures should be present
at that time.
Several members of the committee
were ready to vote last night. Mr..
Moncurc announced himself as an en-
thusiastic advocate OF the new plan
of government. although he is. like
Mr.. Rennolds, of the special committee
one OF the Aldermen who is practical
~ legislated out OF ONCE. Mr.. Ben
nett, another Alderman, who Will not
be eligible for reelection under the
redistricting plan until the next cleo
ton, Is also strong advocate. regard
less OF how ii affects him personally.
Mr.. Vondcrlehr was also willing 70
vote last night, but Mr.. Umlauf stated
that he had notified members of the
Chamber OF Commerce that. at their
would be deferred. In 80 important
matter, he stated. the committee
wanted all the light possible.
Crenting Unnecessary Jobs.
The committee took up the ordinance
creating the office OF superintendent Of
the municipal electric plant and direct
ing how the works shall be conducted
Chairman Morgan r. Mills. OF the
Water Committee, appeared in vehe-
ment opposition. He was opposed TO
the whole ordinance as an unnecessary
expense OF $4,000 to $4,000 a year,
merely to create jobs. he said, but his
especial opposition was to that clause
which specifies that the electric plant
shall charge against the water works
mot more than cents per killowat
hour for current used in water pump
ing"
"As chairman of tho Water Com
mittec," said Mr. Mills. II tell you
that IL any such price Is to be charged
us by municipal plant we had rather
buy our current elsewhere and you
can shut up your electric plant You
may say that it is a mere matter of
bookkeeping between city departments.
but I don't propose that this electric
, plant, which ! believe to be wholly
Unnecessary burden and expense to the
city, shall ride to popularity on the
shoulders of the water works.
Charging Three Prices, Suys Mills.
When the electric plant was created
the water works turned over site
| and water power. which we could have
sold for 100000. II was given a
book value in the transfer OF $500, 900
and now this electric plant, which the
| city has built there, proposes to charge
| the Water Department for current
moro than any commercial company
! would charge. If the plant is prop
crIy constructed and run right, the
cost of making current should ut no
| time exceed siX-tcnths OF one cent per
! zillowat hour and you propose to
| Charge the Water Department three
times that. Is this being done be-
cause the man who designed this plan,
made certain promises that he would
! produce street lights at less than the
/ city was puying and now proposes, by
| making an excessive charge against
! the Water Department, to make II
appear that the city is paying less for
! lighting it's streets?
| ut Is n waste to run this plant as q
I! separate department., with another gu
/ perintcndest, with an Office at the City
| Hall when iwo-thirds OF its current
goes to the Water Department.
! The power house should be turned
| over to the Water department TO ht
| operated as economically as possible
| and the matter Of street lighting
(! siould he turned over TO tho Commit
tee on Light. which now has charge
Of gas lamps, and tho Committee OF
, Electricity abolished. You can save
$1,000 a wear in unnecessary salarie!
ny doing this. as we'll as save In the
duplication of plants and waste o.
power"
! Fnyors Administrative Honrd.
| "If those nre your views. why
| haven't Won introduced an ordinance
| to that otrcct?" asked Mr. Moncure.
because believe that the change!
l In form Of government which Mr.. Pol