The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-23
BUSINESS CLUB
TO URGE ACTION
Question of New Municipal Gov
eminent Plan to Be Discussed
Tomorrow Night
WANT IT FULLY PRESENTED
Men Who Have Worked for
Change Will Explain Objects
to Be Gained.
WANT IT FULLY PRESENTED

the oeldii BUSINESS atfalrS OF the mu-
nicipality will be discussed at a
smoker to be rendered by the Bust
ness Mems Club tomorrow, night at
S:lo. Invitations havo been sent to
the one thousand members of the
club. TO members of the City Council
members of the Chamber OF Commerce
and to citizens generally to partici-
pate In this discussion of ono OF the
most important questions that has
come before the business men of
Richmond In many years.
Among the speakers announced are
Mayor j. c. Richardson, City Attorney
Henry r. Pollard. former City Attor-
ney Charles V. Meredith. Henry w.
Rountree, a director of the club ana a
former members of the City Council,
and L. n. Morris, formerly president,
Of the Chamber OF Commerce, and
president of the Police Benevolent AS
ISOLATION. all OF whom are earnest ad-
vocates of tho plan presented, Messrs
Pollard. Meredith, Rountree and Nor
ris having served on the committee
which drafted the pending ordinance
and resolution.
RcdistrictinE plan VIII Win.
1t is practically conceded now at the
city Hall that the four-ward plan
for redistricting the city will win
both III the Committee on Ordinance,
Charter and Reform. and in the
Council. There will be some opposi-
ton. some attempt to Eerrymander
the lines, and some indirect opposi-
ton BY the Offering OF substitutes
along other ward lines. Whatever
number OF wards is determined upon,
1t is the duty OF the Council to re-
district the city at this time. and Il
is now claimed that majority OF the
members OF both branches are pledged
To the four-ward plan, with the
straight ward lines as they are recon-
mended. Any attempt to shift these
lines to meot the aspirations OF local
politicians Will receive scant atten-
tion.
When reported by the Ordinance
Committee the ordinance is before the
Council for final action. requiring un-
der the rules no further reference TO
amy committee. and necassitating tor
its adoption only a majority of the
members elected to each branch and
the approval of the Mayor. The Mayo
IS an earnest advocate, aud the vote Is
claimed TO be already assured
Other Report In Danger.
The other and more important half
of the report OF the special Committee
on Changes in the Form of Govern
ment, proposing n charter change FOR
the creation of an administrative board
to take over the details Of business
administration now in the hands OF
fourteen Council committees. will not
have such plain sailing, aud has al
ready met with much announced OPP
position 1t creates certain Offices, aud
under the rules OF the Council must be
referred to the Committee on Finance
which means further delay and the
additional chance OF weakening amend
ments. Several members OF the Council
ltsa l.,
for the administrative board resolution
unless the Fire aud Police Depart.
ments are also placed under the super
vision of this paid body OIL executive
officers. The special committee is IN
favor of this, but did not include II in
its report for reasons Of policy, fear
ing to overload the paper and so bring
about opposition that II would be I'M :
possible TO overcome
Want to Include All.
If agreed upon. and tile charter SO
amended. the proposed board will not
take office for n year: II VIII have
much to do TO faniliarize itself with
the details OF administration of streets.
water. light sewer and other depart
ments. and some CounG!lmen prefer
that such emergency departments as
police, fire and health. be reserved for
the present. With the administrative
board in Office and making a success OF
its administration. 1t would not be diff
ficult to induce the succeeding Legisla-
turc to place the Police and Fire De-
partments under its supervision, in
stead OF under volunteers. meeting but
once or twice q month as at present
The smoker at the Business Mems
Club tomorrow night promises to be
the most general and widely attended
meeting in the interests of good gov
eminent yet held. 1t will bring togcth-
CT a larger number OF representative
men, AFFORD an opportunity Cor infor-
NAL discussion and for frank express
sion OF opinion, and give TO the Ordin-
ance, Charter and Reform Committee
which meets next Wednesday night for
final action on both papers an express
sion of the wishes of the business men
Of the community.
Confident Of Outcome.
Members OF the special committee
which drafted the paper last night e&-
pressed much greater confidence nj the
final outcome than ever before. The
Chamber OF Commerce, 1t was stated,
had only begun 10 fight" and with the
aggressive stand taken by the Bust
ness Mems Club, with It's large mem
and the promise of further ac-
ton from other organizations, many
men who keep in close touch with city
politics last night freely predicted
that the whole plan would be recon-
mended by the city Council 10 the in
coming General Assembly.
Especial comment has been aroused
bS the unsolhsh conduct of several
members of the Board of Aldermen,
who. though practically legislated out
of office by the reduction in member
ship, have yet stated that they placed
the welfare OF tho city above their
personal and political abitions. and are
act1vaiy Mt work for the chanues II