The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-30
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encounter useless opposition.
Hctter Than commissions.
Judge George L. Christian said that
after close study he believed the plan
presented separating legislative anu
executive departments according TO
taste principles, was a better form
ihan what is known rs the commission
aHo would give the city government
of which IT might be proud. John c.
Freeman illustrated present ciumsi-
ness by telling of the siX-ycar effort
TO get wharf, which no one had
openly opposed. and which had yet
nuns fire for live years. DR.. i. y.
Caltsch thought the plan for an Ad-
ministraure Board went straight to
the crux of the situation. cutting
through all red tape. giving business
management and leaving the Council
Tree to legisiate He believed the
people could be trusted with the cleo
ton; that they could govern them
selves better than any special class
could govern for them.
The first note of opposition came
from George Med. Blake. member of
the Council but not of the committee.
he favored the plan, but opposed pop
ular election of the commiss oners on
the ground that the best men would
not enter such contest, and that too
small a portion of the electorate was
qualified to vote
1lirschbcrE Amendment.
| To test the sense of the committee,
1 Mr.. HirschberE moved TO strike out
the exemption of the Fire, Police and
| Health Boards. putting all depart
ments under one board. Chairman Pol
lock. Of the special committee, said
that tho point had been very carefully
considered He was frank to say that
for political reasons the amendment
| would greatly cndanger and might
| occasion the defeat OF the whole plan.
Further, those departments are now
managed by commissioners. who are
not in the Council. and whose func-
( lions are purely executive, and the
boards are limited by Council action
| MS to their expenditures. All three
were we'll managed as to compel
the commcndation OF the community,
and there was no pressing reason for
change. Further, the newly elected
commissioners would have all they
could do TO familiarize themselves
with the work of the various depart
ments. Later 1t might be wise to con-
solIdate the Fire and Police Depart
, ments under the administrative board.
He thought the Health Board should
always be made up of scientific men
who gave their services and skill to
the city.
Much Tsusinchs TO Manage.
City Attorney Pollard reminded the
committee that Richmond was the only
city of It's size owning It's gas. water
and electric plants. Some own their
water works. a few gas, and none that
/ he knew of their electric plants. maxi
ing the burdens of business manage
ment heavier here than in other places.
The School Board, he explained, was
beyond the question: State board
| over which the Council had no control.
MIR. Umlnuf favored the plan pro-
| vidng all the boards were consoli-
dated. holding that men sitting daily
| could transact business better than
| any board or committee meeting twice
| q month. "lf you want n clean and
! up-to-date government. am with
! you." he concluded. "If you want to
! go half way. I am not with YOU"
/ When the roll WINS called lie voted
no.
Mr.. Gunst said that In redistricting,
I the city was doing what he had ndvo-
I Gated in 1909. His plan then was for
a Council of eleven paid men, to sit
/ in daily session. While he still be-
1 levcd II superior. he found consti-
tutional difficulties, and was Impressed
with the Importance OF action. 81 do
not approve of the Plan entirely" he
said. but oppose tampering with it
30 US 10 make us passage dangerous.
II you feel you need change-and
God knows we do need one-vote for
this proposition. Don't mess it IN so
that when adopted the committee that
tathercd It won't recognize It"
Amendment Is Lost.
The question on tho Hirschbers
amendment to place the Police. Fir.
and Health Departments under the
Administrative Board was called and
the amendment rejected, 5 to 7, as
follows:
Ayes-Mnssrs Brown. Hirschbcrg,
umsden. Nelson. Urnlauf.
Noes--Rntler, Gunst, Kaln Moncurc,
: aioore, Pollock, Vonderlchr.
Mr.. Nielsen asked whether In view
Of the importance of the proposed
change 1t Were not possible to submit,
ii to the people. CITY Attorney Pol
lard. to whom tho question was de-
ferred, said II COULD be done. but one
legislature wouid have to take action
giving authority for such vote. nnl