The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-28
CommitteeFurt Cd
i6ss City Govern
ment Flans.
NEW BOARD WOULD
CCNIkOL STREETS
Governing Body to Be Elected in
November, 1912, and Take Of
fice January I, I9I3-Propo-
sition to Retain Eight
Wards Is Not
Presented.

Essential changes from the present
form of city government, recommended
by the special committee on that sub
jet last night. in the proposed amend
ments TO the city charter which the
committee is drafting. were that the
City Auditor and the City Collector
shall hereafter be elected by the Coun-
ell instead OF by the people. and that
the administrative board proposed TO
be created shall be elected by the peo-
pie in the general election in November.
1912, to take office January i, 1918, the
members to choose the long and short
terms by lot. Also that while control
and management of streets and alleys
Is delegated by the Council under the
proposed plan to the administrative
board. all matters relating to fran.
chiscs and public service corporations
are expressly reserved by the Council.
The committee spent several hours
In going carefully over the text of
certain proposed changes In the char
ter. making verbal alterations and IN
some Instances requesting City Attor-
ney Pollard to redraft whole sections
to meet the views outlined. In regard
TO the salaries OF the administrative
board. 1t is provided that they shall
be not less than $4,000 per annum. 10
be fixed by the Council.
Election of City Officers.
The Council and the administrative
board each have the right to employ
their own clerical assistance. The
Council also reserves the right to elect
certain general officers. such as City
Attorney, Police Justice and Special
Accountant. The board is to elect ali
other officials and employees, but the
riSht to create offices and fix compensa-
ton is retained in the Council. In the
Interests OF economy and efficiency.
however, the board may abolish any
unnecessary office or combine two or
more Offices and assign some one to tho
duties OF both positions.
The change in charter in regard to
the Auditor was merely in line with
the general idea of the short ballot
the centring of the attention OF the
voters on u few officers. In the case Of
the City Collector. the charter change
gives the City Council power. If 1t so
decides. to either continue or abolish
the office.
The City Engineer and the superin-
tendents of the various departments
are to be elected by the administrative
board, to whom they Will report. The
City Engineer may appoint his assist
ants, subject to approval of the board
After going completely through tae
paper. 1t was ordered that corrected
copies be furnished to all members for
final reading, and the committee Will
meet again on Wednesday afternoon
to complete its work.
No Echo of Alterns Plan.
No echo was heard in the meeting
of the rumored alternate proposition
for redlstricting the city. believed by
some TO have emanated from members
OF the Board of Fire Commissioners.
anxious TO retain their positions
1t was reported yesterday afternoon
that III lieu of the ordinance already
recommended by the special commit
tee, redistricting the city into four
wards and reducing the membe rship
of the Common Council and Board OF
Aldermen one-half, plan would be
presented for revising the lines of the
present wards. retaining all eight. but
proposing a charter change which
would allow but one Alderman instead
of three. and two Councilmen. instead
OF five. from each ward. The plan al
ready recommended by the special
committee equalizes the population N
the four wards and requires no charter
change. 1t may be adopted by the
Council without further ado, and take
effect from the next councilmanic
election The plan proposed by mer,-
bers of the Fire Board as an alterna-
tive would require charter amend
ment ut the hands of the Legislature,
and delay the plan probably until az
ter the spring election.