The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-15

ehat ne was as firm In his conviction
as he had been before that the original
proposition was the best one. It was
approved not only by two of the Coun
ctl's own committees. but also by the
board OF Aldermen, and by every COM
mercial organization and newspaper in
the city
Richards Supports H.
L am opposed" went on Mr.. Rich
ards. ITO putting those three depart
ments under this administrative board,
and have always been opposed TO IT,.
They are safety departments, not ad-
nintstrative. We have ALREADY three
departments among the best in the
United States-departments that We
are proud of-and there Is nothing to
DO gained by changing them. This
board is something OF an experim emit,
and we can make sane experiments
where only money Is involved. but not
with those departments that guard our
homes while We sleep. I am for this
administrative board as planned I
oelieVe II step In the right direction,
and will go far toward perfectine tho
best government Richmond has ever
had There may be some difference
as to detais. but not one member OF
this body has expressed any doubt as
TO the need for creation Of such a
board. You all know. as we'll as I
managed
by committees of this Council are not
as we'll managed as arc those under
the three boards referred to. we
should not be diverted from our pur-
pose by any trihing Ideas that tho
Aldermen are trying to forco us to do
something. If we refuse to concur the
Aldermen may say we are trying to
force them to do something. IT Is
like two children squabblinE over moth
this proposition as 1t is."
MT. Umlauf predicted that there
would he the same opposition five
years from now as at present to maxi
Ing any change in the management Of
the Police Department. and urged the
councii to face the music at once"
Wants 1t Started Now.
Answering the argument of Mr.. Um-
lauf that no railroad would have three
or four boards of directors when one
could do the work. Mr.. Blake said that
1T was q recognized principle In busi-
ness In employing new men to give
them at the start certain duties and
certain compensation. If they show
ability and capacity their powers and
duties arc from time to time enlarged.
and he held that this board be started
now and the Police. Fire, and Health
Departments added TO 1t when IL has
shown Its capacity. He asserted tina
there was absolutely no comparison
between the departments managed by
the special boards and those by Coun-
Gil committees. giving his personal ex-
pericnccs on the Grounds and BuiId-
ingS Committee. whore whole bundles
of vouchers are approved and ordered
paid without any member of tho com
nittee knowing what they are for or
having the time to inquire
/ Called for Question.
The question was called for by Mr..
Po"cll. and clearly stated by presl-
dent Peters. who informed the mem
| bers that those voting aye voted to
concur in the amendments, and that.
were there "a majority voting aye. the
resolution would ne adopted as'amend-
cd by the Hoard--th that IT, lust na
originally prepared. Were the Council
to refuse to concur in the amendments
: tho question would then be omen for
committee Of conferences.
The roll was called amid profound
silence From the time Mr.. Bowman
and MIR. Burke voted aye the result
was not IN great doubt, though tho
negative vote Of Mr.. Lumsden was .,
surprise TO the advocates OF the com
mittee plan Sir. Rogers had also been
counted as favorable, but voted no.
and there was deadly quiet while the
Bergeant-et-arms continued tho call.
until IL became apparent that tho
! resolution waa certainly concurred in.