The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-08
MEMBERS OPPOSE
PENSION SCHEME
CoUNCILMEN DON'T BELIEVE CITY
WILL CDUNTENANCE SUCH
PROJECTS.
FRIENDS TO AID WIDOW
PLAN TO HAVE SUCCESSOR To
VETERAN COLLECTOR SHARE
COMMISSIONS OF
FRIENDS TO AID WIDOW

Il for one would not be party to
such scheme and | don't believe Cor a
moment that COUNSEL will sanction it"
said Councilman Frank NJ. Reade
Monday morning. commenting upon
the published report to the effect that
an effort Is being made to have the
office Of city tax collector continued
on a com mission basis until the gem
eral election in the fall. the incum-
bent to divide the fees with the widow
of Captain Frank w. Cunningham,
the veteran collector who died re-
Gently.
AS ] understand the proposition"
added DIR. Reade, #, is nothing more
than pension scheme, pure and sim
pie, and | doubt seriously whether
the city is yet ready to enter upon
any policy Of that kind. Further
more, I doubt whether Mrs. Cunning
ham is actually in sympathy with the
movement. She has friends who viii
sec that she does not want. IL she is
In need of funds
Hirschbcrg Opposed.
Councilman John Hirschberg is
also opposed to the proposition He
says 1t was put up to him last Friday.
out ne has never entertained the idea
OF giving II his support. Another
IouHtIIfTi6H VINO also voiced OppOSl-
ton Monday was Mr.. Harry r. Pol
lard. Jr.. chairman of the finance
committee.
DESPITE the reported claims of Cap
tain Cunningham's attorneys and
friends, 1t was ascertained at the city
collectors office Monday that a COM
paratively small amount Of the years
work had been done up to the time
OF the captains death, by far the
heaviest season being that immediate
~ preceding the receipt of tax assess
ments from the office OF commits
sioner OF the revenue the early part of
June Since the beginning of the ns-
cal Year February l. ii was stated
that practically the only business Of
any consequence done in the office
hau reference TO license tax bills
which fell due in April.
Polite But Firm.
Ilty Auditor Warren said Monday
that he did not care TO dig into his
books to find out how much money
Captain Cunningham had drawn II,
Tees since February /. If council asked
MIN TO do so he would gladly comply
with its request. but he politely. In
sisted that the reporter should not
urge him TO furnish the desired infor-
nation which would necessitate trou.
bile and la Dor
1t was learned Monday that the al
legged additional shortage discovered
in the accounts of Captain Cunning
ham had TO do With collections made
after February /. or in words for the
present fiscal year. The previous short
age had reference to accounts for last
year. The now amount will total about
1900. IL Is understood.
AT the meeting of the common coun-
Gil last Friday night il tabled an
amended ordinance from the board of
aldermen allowing the collectors Of.
Hces 10 remain on the commission basis
or liz Of per cent. until the expfta-
ton OF Captain Cunninghafn's tern,
January I. 1914, the amendment having
been made previous to the captain i
death.
Nulee on the Job.
Council will take no action on this
measure when il meets again Monday
night and II Is likely no mention at all
will be made OF the Cunningham case
or the city collectors office Meanwhile
Temporary Collector Huice viii con-
tinue In ONCE at the salary of 1900 per
month pending his election as coiIec-
tor al a Joint session OF the council
which Will probably be held at an early
date.
As the collectorship arranCement was
explained TO Councilman Hirschbarx
according to his statement Mr. Eulce
was to divide commissions with Cam
tain Cnnningham's widow and the can
tafn's son. Mr.. Colbert Cunningham. of
Macon, Ga, WAS to be given employ
snesss sa the ufsiss' tn offset WITH f,fs
services as far as possible the money
To be paid his mother.