The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-26

hered to It's announced intention of
planning a board for the administra.
ton of the business of the city, taking
away from the Council none of Its
powers of legislation, but to do only
executive work now performed by
fourteen or more Council committees.
In regard to appropriations, It was de-
termined that the right to appropriate
money was u legislative function. rest
Ing only in the Council: that there
should be a budget at the beginning OF
each year. In which the anticipated
revenues OF the city should be appor-
toned in lump sums to tho various
departments. the board to have large
discretionary powers in the expendi-
ture OF such appropriations. After
wards no appropriation is to be made
save OF an emergency character with
out hrst referring the matter to the
administrative board for Its report.
though the Council may pass the ap-
preparation over an adverse recon
mendatlon of the board. The board
may also recommend special appro-
priations.
Elections of onicers.
In regard to the election of officials
and employees, charter changes are
proposed by which the Council retains
the right to elect the city clerk. the
and tho clerk of
Council committees. while the Board
likewise will appoint its own clerks
and officers. All other employees and
officers OF tho city. not specified In the
charter. are TO be elected for two year
terms by the administrative board. OF
the charter Offices. the Council retains
the election of the City Attorney, the
members OF the various boards. the
Police Justice and certain other ON
CialB %hDRn hMtiau y ~,
of an executive nature. To the Ex-
erutive Board is transferred the cleo
ton OF ell department. heads, such as
City Engineer. superintendent of the
Water and Gas Works, Street Clean
Ing and similar Offices. all reporting
TO the Administrative Board and being
responsible to 1t for the discharge O,
their duties, and for the conduc, OF
their departments. The Council re-
tains as q legislative function the riRh,
to create offices and FIX their compen-
sation. and to Increase salaries of such
ohices. but the election OF officers TO
NIL such positions and the supervision
of their work rests with the Board.
which within the limits of the lung
sum appropriations made in the bulge,
may employ and discharge all subordi.
nate employees.
Vigorous Fight Is On.
II was frankly admitted by members
OF the committee that q very vigorous
fight was already being waged on the
creation OF such a municipal board.
both by members OF the Police and
Fire Boards. who fe4r IT is but an en-
tering wedge TO the transfer of their
functions to such a body Of paid off,
GERS. and several heads OF city de-
partments and many city employee,
who fear that such q board would be
exacting in Its demands-as one mem
Der put It, would want a dollars worth
of work for each dollar of salary. One
member expressed the View that with
the Street Cleaning Department alone,
a third more work could DO done with
the present force. were 1t under differ
ent management, since a committee
meeting two nights in the month at
the City Hall did not have the time or
opportunity TO supervise such work.
Unless the people of Richmond
earnestly desire a letter administration
OF their government-the securing of
more and better results for the annual
expenditure-our work will go for
nothing" said Chairman Pollock. THE
committee realizes that already strong
influences are working against US.
There have been several former efforts
to simplify the city government, and
we have had the benefit Of the work
of former committees. but this is the
first time a comprehensive charter
+ change has been worked out In detail
carrying such a provision Into execu-
ton. II the people want Its adoption
they should tell their Councilmen and
their representatives In the Legisla-
ture So"
Must BE qualified Voters.
: The committee met one ~disappoint-
ment in Its work for reform. Mr..
Lynch proosed an amendment which
would allow the administrative board
to go outside of the State II necessary
In selection. of department heads to Sc
cure men of experience and special
training. suggesting that the day
might come when the board would de-
sire to employ a highly skilled en-
5.neer Of peculiar training, u a hy-
draulic expert for the management of
its water works. Mr.. Pollard ruled that
any person to hold State, county or
city Office under the State Constitution
must be a qualified voter of the State
J of Virginia. Mr.. Meredith, a member of
the Constitutional Convention, adj
mitted that that body had made a great
mistake in inserting any such clause,
and said 1t should be eliminated as
soon as possible.
The committee will meet again -
morrow night to further consider TIE
details Of the final draft of the pro-
posed charter change.