The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-13

with the possible exception of trust
state commerce., municipal reform is
the greatest problem of present day
American politics, and our association
is IN Richmond this week for the pur-
pose of aiding In its solution" said
prominent delegate to the National
Municipal League convention at tho
Jefferson Hotel last night He halls
from one of the smaller cities of the
Middle West-a section of the coun-
try which has come to the front In tho
last decade as the leading exponent
of municipal reform.
And | hear" he continued, that
Richmond is about to adopt the COM
mission form herself, so our discuss
sions viii not be without interest to
the city" When assured by The Tines
Dispatch representative that Richmond
Is still long way Of from the quintet
plan he replied that 1t was only
question OF time because what was
good for Des Moines Is bound to be
good for Richmond or any other city"
Tho advance guard OF the convention
arrived in the city last night, but the
speakers and the bulk of the delegates
VIII reach the city this morning Tho
meeting in Richmond this year marks
the first time that the National Num-
cipal League has gathered at South
ern point. except the convention held
in louisville In 1897.
Executive Meeting To-Day.
The convention will begin It's activi-
ties with the annual meeting OF the
executive committee at 2:30 this after
noon. 1t will be closea session, con-
corning itself with the formulating OF
rules and regulations which will gov
nd
ment Of business committees. which
will report later In the week. The
meeting Will be presided over by DR..
Albert Bushnell Hart, professor of gov-
ernment in Harvard University
secretary of the Interior Walter L.
Fisher Is expected to arrive in the city
this afternoon. and will preside at the
opening session tonight. 1t was stat
ed last night that the secretary will
be required by the press of business
In Washington to leave Immediately
after adjournment, remaining in the
city only long enough to witness the
formal opening. He is deeply inter-
ested In the problems to be discussed
at the present meeting. having been,
before going to Washington, secretary
and later president of the Chicago
Municipal Voters League.
Following an address of welcome by
for the delegates by Secretary Fishor,
VIII come the annual address of the
president of the National Municipal
League William tssdley Foulke of
Richmond, lDS on the subject, "Et
fective MviEsipal Government" Dur
ing the Nst summer Mr.. Foulke has
been personally investigating the ac-
tual administration of municipal gov
ernment in a typical German city. His
tUi h.anJ IN
studies and will seek to apply the les
sons learned to American conditions.
1t Will be of interest to the laynen
as well as the delegates. and the pub.
lie is invited to attend
The address OF Mr.. Foulke will BIO
followed b. reception rendered to
the officers OF the league and delegates
by the local reception committee.
Mayor Crump ComiDS.
Mayor T.. II. Crump. OF Memphis. who
was reelected by sweeping majority
last Thursday on a commission gov
eminent platform. will reach the city
to-day and will be the presiding officer
at the round table luncheon" at
r. NJ. tomorrow. 1t Will be given I'D
exclusively to the consideration OF
city government by commission. His
recent experience with the plan In
t,.c election Just closed in Memphis,
VIII MAKE MS expressed views on the
subject OF special significance.
Speeches at this luncheon" will LIE
limited to five minutes to permit
large number OF expressions on tho
subject. Discussion of the commits
sion plan will be opened by Rear-Ad-
miral r. L. Chadwick. OF Newport,
r. l.. WHO Is q vigorous advocate 81
the Newport plan as opposed to the
commission government plan.
Delegates From Many states.
The activities OF the National sfJ-
nicipal League and the National Con-
ference for Good City Government,
both OF watch organizations meet in
joint convention. az Indicated BY their
names. interest experts OF all the
States. The Governors and Mayors of
all of these name special delegates
80 the annual meetings. which are