The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-03


the taking over of these boards be eff,
fected after the administrative boarG
has familiarized itself with It's multi.
tudinous duties. Tho Fire and polio,
Boards deal with matters dissimilar
from those dealt with by the new
board. and could not handle these
boards well ut the jump. Give then,
time TO learn how To conduc. the ordi-
nary business OF the city. and then
let them assume Jurisdiction over the
Police and Fire Boards.
This is q new thing in Richmond's
government. and the beginning must
not be too sweeping or too drastic.
Let us see how the administrative
board performs tic great labors which
the plan would put upon them, and, II
they do Il well, as they surely will.
add other duties. Suppose tho Rich
mond Cedar Works or the American
Locomotive Works were to plan re-
organization on new basis; these
great corporations would not reor-
Eanize every department at once, but
would start with u change In two or
three, adding the others after success
was met in the first set. SO II is In
q governmental reorganizution-pro-
cedure must not be too general or too
revolutionary Mt the outset.
Councilmen who oppose the new
plan of government ought to state
specifically why they do so. They rep
resent the people, and IL there is OPP
position among their constituency let
their councilmanic agents specify who
and how many make up that opposi-
ton. The supporters OF the plan have
freely and frankly invited criticism
and have requested opponents of the
proposition to speak out and afforded
them an opportunity for so doing. hut
go far the opposition is invisible and
intangible, existing only as q creature
OF the imagination. Everybody who,
has spoken has advocated tho plan,
and the leading citizens from all parts
of the city have Endorsed IT,.
Those who are In any way connected
with industrial or business enterprises.
either rs employers or employees, arc
heartily in favor of this plan, because
they know that better form OF gov
eminent will benefit business condi-
lions here and attract more enter
prises and people to invest here. The
business men are back OF this plan be-
cause they have their money at work
here. and feel that better govern
ment will create conditions more fav-
orable to the prosperity and satisfac
ton of every man who works for his
living.
Then, too. there arc C9uncilmcn who !
are holding their personal views over !
the wishes of the people OF the city !
and over the Judgment of the best |!
thinkers of the community who have !
worked out after great care and study !
a plan which they regard us the best |!
practical one at this time. Even those !
who shaped this plan had their indi-
In a compromise and agreed to some
thing that was advisable and feasible. !
Surely, the Councilman can do that
much. This is no time for Individual !
opposition. Councilmen should now
pull together for the good of the city.
Tomorrow night is a crucial hour
in the life of this plan. Its rejection
means that Richmond will step back
ward and turn Its face from prosperity. !
Let every citizen realize this and state !
to his representative in Council i'm
mcdintely his views as TO tho plan.
Moreover, let every man who believes /
that this plan is right and should pass.
be present at the Council chamber ,
Monday night and signify by his pres /
ence his support of and desire for this 1
better. more economical. more profit
able plan Of government for Rich
mond.
For the love Of Richmond. Mr.. Coun-
Gilman be reasonable. For the love Of |
Richmond, Mr.. Citizen. see your repre-
sentatives in Council at once and rea- |
son with them SO that they will be |;
reasonable. Right now is the time for
everybody to got behind this plan and .
push II for all II is worth.