The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-04
MILLS TO FIGHT
FOR SUBSTITUTES
NEW GOVERNMENT PLANS ARE NOT
ALTOEETHER PLEASING TO
JEFFERSON wARDER.
WOULD ABOLISH BOARDS
FAvoRs ANOTHER METHOD OF RE-
DIsTRICTTNG-UMLA AND
HIRsCHRERG WILL ALSO BE
on FIRING LINE
WOULD ABOLISH BOARDS

Although the FORWARD and ad-
ministrative board plan in connection
with the proposed change in the sys-
tenn OF municipal government In
Richmond will likely pass the Com
mon Council tonight. the indications
are that this will not be accomplish
ed before q stubborn fight is made
on several featurcs Of the plan.
Captain Morgan r. Mills. council
man from Jefferson Ward, will be on
hand with q substitute plan for re-
districting the city into eight wards,
his idea being to reduce the mem ber-
ship in Council by legislative en-
actment. He declares that this could
be done In ample time for the April
primary. despite claims % the con-
trary.
Captain Mills is also determined
to fight for adjustment of the Police,
Fire and Health Boards, so a. to
provide the city with only one board
of commissioners, instead Of nearly
half a dozen. The captain puts lit
tie stock In the contention OF Mr..
Pollock and other advocates Of the
plan that the proposed adj
mtnistrative board would be over
loaded with work. II the Police, Fire
and Health Boards are abolished.
Three VIII Fight.
In this fight Captain Mills will act
In concert with Me@rs Umlauf and
Hirschberg. who are already on rec
ord ~ being strongly opposed to re-
tention Of these three boards.
Mr.. Blake may again have some
thing to say in advocacy Of the cleo
ton Of the proposed I'VE commits
sioners by the Council. instead OF the
people. but he will hardly insist on
this point, II the majority 10 over
whelmingly against him. ~ 1t was q
few nights ago when the Ordinance
Committee recommended for adop-
ton. the two change-in-governme
plans.
Mr.. Blake u for anything to do
away with the present committee sys-
tcm " running the city government.
for he knows from personal expert
ence that there 10 . wide neld for Inn
provement.
Captain Mills ventured tho predic-
ton last night that his redistrictina
plan would be accepted ~ an amend
ment for the other plan, despite the
BE- able to muster much strength.
There ID some talk that exception
may be taken to City Attorney Pol
lard's ruling that only . majority vote
will be necessary to adopt the two
measures. At least, ono councilman
expressed the view yesterday that Z
two-thirds vote would be necessary
because OF the fact that an appropria-
ton Of several thousand dollars would
be involved in the cost Of special COM
missioners whose duty It will be tc
rearrange the poll books and other
wise provide for the new order Of at
fairs.
Mr.. Pollard contends that this fea-
ture Of the matter concerns the STATE
law strictly. and u therefore not Il
be construed in any way In connec-
tion with the city statute regarding
a two-thirds vote In case Of appro-
nriations In excess of 800.
Mr.. Pollard's opinion on this Ques'
ton was recently submitted to Coun'
Gilman Lynch, Of Jefferson ward, wa,
was q member Of the special. commit
tee that drafted the new government
plans. Mr.. Lynch 10 strenuous ad'
vocate of accepting the plans ~ the,
are. without amendment or change.
Alderman DON I,eavy. Who wa alst
q member Of the special committee
expressed the belief last night thu,
both plans would 20 through tonigh
without amendment ana he expected
sauaIl- ~ good results In ths BoaSt
e AMnE1n14 1a3t Dook 81