The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-08
INSPECTOR BECK
FIRES ASSISTANT
81 Am Not, Running a Barrooln, .
lie Says, Regarding Dis
missal Of Butler.
WHARTON GETS THE PLACE
Chief Deputy, Absent From
Office, Sent Away on
Short Notice.
WHARTON GETS THE PLACE

First Deputy Building Inspector John
+; Butler was removed from Office yes
lerday by Building Inspector Beck for
absence from his post and dcreletion
in the performance Of his duties. T.
Il. Wharton was Apo ntcd as u
deputy in tho Office and qualified at
once.
Il am not running Il barroom,'' was
the Succlnct comment Of Building In
spcctor Beck when asked for "a state
ment In regard to the removal OF Mr..
warned before and the Office is too
busy. just now to put up with such
service further"
The action Of the Building Inspec-
ciai whose office is supervised and con
trollcd by no Council committee. the
Grounds and Buildings Committee only
having supervision OF TINT part OF his
work which relates to the care of .jub-
dc buildings.
Friends Could Not Help.
Air. Butler halls from Clay Ward.
and hi' friends there, who are influcn-
tihl politically. were prompt to inter
tcde with the Building Inspector in his
nehaif But Mr.. Beck was not 10 be
caught mapping. He had already filled
;he vacancy by appointment Of Mr.
Wharton. foreman in the employ OF
}! j Iignor. u carpenter and builder
Mr. Wharton was an applicant recent
~ when the Office Of third deputy was
sreated. and for some time the choice
lay between himself and James T..
phillips. who was appointed. Ar. Beck
has not indicated Which Of his deputies
will be made first deputy the ordinance
providing that one OF them shall be
SO designated and shall have power
Inspector. MIR. Butler was the oldest
member OF the Building Inspect tor S
staff III point Of service. having been
IN office more than two years. lie is
Il bricklaycr by trade. and was chosen
in competition for his knowledge OF
practical cons .ruction work. In the di-
vision OF duties of the inspectors he
has been in charge OF the western part
Of he city. where an enormous amount
Of residence building has been in prog
sress. He has been regarded as a fear
less ana impartial official. having twice
reported Councilman John II. Powers
FOR violations of the Building Code.
The new deputy IS a carpenter of long
experience IN house constructions. and
Will be assigned 10 tho same distr.es.
Only Man with Full Power,
The removal OF Mr.. Butler and the
prompt appointment Of his success or
around tic City Hall vest erday. On
every hand the action OF Mr.. Back III
maintaining the character Of his OFF
ton was called TO ono Of the most
salient recommendation in the annual
message OF Mayor Richardson-t that
department heads be. given authority
to employ aud discharge their subordi-
mates The Manor said: .'lIeads OF de-.
partmen;s should be held 70 the strict
est responsibility, hut It is unjust 10
require that Responsibilities when thcii
subordinatcS are Independent, and these
heads Of departments have no power IN
the appointment or retention Of those
who are TO execute their orders"
At the meeting OF the Common Coun-
ell Monday night the street Commit
ice recommended for adoption an or,
dinance giving 20 the City Engineer
The right to employ aud discha rgc as
sistant engineers and clerks in his
office, a right which has hitherto rested
with the COMMITTEES on Streets. which
In one instance rcinstated an assistant
nginee removed hy Mr.. Boiling. The
paper was referred to the Committee
on Ordinance, Charter and Reform.