The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-08
WHARF CONTRACT
is APPROVED
Councilman Mills Puts Through
Proposition for Charter Change
Looking to General Referen-
dum-Separate Trials to Be
Given Minors-Employ
Probation Officers.

Quoting the public schools. contract
for erection of wharf on James
River, provision for separate trials of
minors and for employment OF pro-
baton officers an amendment TO the
city charter to allow the city to cstab-
us "a workhouse, and q petition to
the General Assembly for a charter
change 10 enable the city to create a
city employees retirement fund for
those In the service of the city moro
than twenty years. were among tho
matters given unanimous Endorsement
by. the Common Council last night.
In the closing minutes of a long
and busy session, Mr.. Mills secured
adoption. under suspension of tie
rules and without reference to any
committee. OF a resolution requesting
charter change which Will empower
the Council TO submit to the voters
at special election any matter which
IT may determine. There was no de-
bate, but after the body adjourned
several members who felt they had
been caught mapping characterized il
ms n referendum Issue OF far-reaching
Importance. which might result in
changing the whole methods O. city
LEGISLATION. and the frequent calling
or special elections for all sorts OF
matters AT present the Council can
onI.' call special election for bond
irsues and few other matters OF
large import, and no such special cleo
tion on any issue before tho Council
mas been called in many years.
Enpio!crs' Retiring Fund.
Mr. Mills was also the patron of the
resolution looking to a charter change,
which VIII permit the city to create
an employees retirement fund.- At
present there IN no legal manner in
which the city can pension those dis
ablod or grown old in it's service.
The Council concurred with the
Board OF Aldermen in adoption % an
ordinance extending the brick district
or fire limits ON certain strcets in Full
ton. and In amending tho code to cor
rect technical oversight In reference
10 in;crments In Hollywood Cemetery.
On recommendation of the Commit
tee on Streets. the name OF Richie
Street was changed to CRANKY Street
aud special sewer ordered construct
cd In Ninth Street for the Richmond
Aotel at the cost OF the city, the cs-
Innate being $500. Tho application of
the Richmond Hotel for permission to
erect marquiae over the sidewalk OF
Ninth street was tabled.
Juvenile Delinquenta.
On recommendation or the Finance
Committee, the Council adopted the
juvenile delinquent ordinance to pro-
vide special hours for the Police Court
10 sit for the trial of minors, and to
provide for their detention in certain
homes under special arrangement, in
lieu OF jail or police stations a plan
10 condemn for park purposes the tri-
angle bounded by Monument Avenue
Cleveland and Franklin Streets was
tabled.
An appropriation OF $3.50 was made
TO the expenses of conducting the
settling basins: and OF $4,000 to the
City School Board TO replace furni-
ture and fixtures recently destroyed
by fire. The City Attorney was In
structed to acquire land to open an
alley between Second Third, Mar
shall and Broad Streets. and also a
tract OF land on which the rathskeIler
was located at lakewood, for enlarge
ment of William Byrd Park. An ap.
preparation of ss11.14 was made to
cover additional cost OF the Fair
Grounds sewer.
No Rent for Two Yeurs.
The Finance Committee rejected tho
petition OF the Virginia State Fair
Association for refund OF $2.s4o.70 ex-
cess cost on the administration build
Ing over and above tho city appropria-
ton. the Fair Association having
agreed TO provide such excess cost
when the building was erected. Mr.
richards stated that the Fair Associa-
tion had not paid the city any rent
K io' tho past Two years, anu r.. Nllll3
asked why somebody had not made an
effort to collect the Interest on tho
bonds of the Fair Association, stating
that the association was making bar.
rels of money" and should live up to
It's financial agreement with the city
to pay per cent on the cost of the
ground belonging to the city.
The resolution was recommended,
with the request that the Finance
Committee take steps to collect tho
back interest. James J. Dreamer, dep
Gty inspector of gas. was given a fur
Tough of sixty days, without pay, from
January 10, having been elected men,
Der of the State Legislature.
Pollution of River.
On recommendation of the Water
Committee resolution was adopted
requesting general legislation to pre-
vent the pollution OF rivers by pulp
mills. Chairman Mills stated that It
cost Richmond from $4,000 to $4,000 a
Year for Qualification OF river water
from the dlscoloratlon caused by the
paper mills.
The Vonderlehr ordinance requesting
the General Assembly to amend the city
IL so desires, to establish workhousss
within or without the city, was adopt
ed. -
The resolution for special commit
tee OF seven to investigate the public
school system was adopted, 1t being
stated that certain supervisors were
paid lar In excess of their value, that
the curriculum Is not what 1t should
be, and that there was need for more
practical and efficient training in the
elementary branches. with lack of .lar- i