The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-21
Use of certain scales for public weigh

use or certain scales for public weigh
ing
; Resolution confirming the award to
III. NJ. Airport 81 Son for erection OF a
timber wharf on James River, to cost
s2S.ose.5o. within $50 days.
Ordinance allowing Sydnor & Humid
ley to construct and maintain certain
metal signs at Seventh and Grace
Streets.
Resolution approving plans and
ordering construction OF concrete re-
tanning walls for New Lester Street
Employees Retirement Fund.
Resolution instructing the City At
torney to secure charter changes
which will authorize the City Council
to create city employees retirement
fund. for the pensionins of employees
In tho service of the city twenty years
or more. The rules were suspended
and this paper concurred in without
reference to the Committee on Finance.
Probably the most interesting de-
bate of tho night came on the Mills
referendum resolution. requesting such
charter changes as Will allow the City
Council to submit to the vote OF the
people at a special election any matter
which tho Council may determine to
be OF sufficient Importance.
The paper went through the Com
mon Council at the moment OF adjourn
ment, without reference 10 any stand-
ing committee. Mr.. Powers moved
suspension in order TO put the paper
on its passage. Mr.. Don Leavy led
the opposition, saying he had never
known OF more dangerous piece OF
proposed legislation. lntimating that
the paper had been offered for one pur-
pose and intended for another. and that
under such broad powers few voters
of the city. at hastily called election,
could sell the gas or electric works.
The people did not want such ques-
tons pcrpetually submitted to special
elections, he asserted. calling attention
to the political death of practically
every member of a special committee
which once recommended submitting
to the people the sale of the Gas Works.
Mr. Nielsen favored the referendum, ar
guins that the people should pass by
direct vote on all such matters of mo-
ment-not through their representa-
tives
Failed of Passage.
why rush 1t through to-night?"
demanded Mr.. Don Leavy. why should
u not go to some committee and be
duly considered? have never seen
papers IF this character rushed through
without considc.at ton under suspension
of the rules that VIC didn't regret it,"
ME- powers tnouBht 1t was 5 } simple
n matter that there was no necessity
for reference, but Colonel tirundy point
I'd out that it was far reaching in lis
consequences. The Board refused to
suspend the rules, and the paper was
referred to the Committee on Ordinance,
Charter and Reform.
The Board recommItted for further
inquiry an ordinance regulating the
use of old brick in new structures; also
All ordinance regulating the sale of
live fowls in the markets.
An ordinance regulating the use of
streets for building material was sharp
~ debated. Mr.. Adams insisting TINT
contractors were taking advantage oil;
;he city and using the streets for the
storage and sale of old material. Col
onel Grundy agreed that the streets of
Richmond were more Uttered and obs
structed than those of any city in tho
United States. and that the Police De-
partment was most negligent In the en-
forcement of the existing ordinances,
Mr.. Gilman protested that there was
plenty OF law on the subject now, were
'it enforced, and that tho requirements
Of permits worked n hardship. The
paper was recommitted to the. ordi-
nance. Charter and Reform Committee.
sharp debate occurred on .. rosoln-