The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-27

PROBLEMS OF INTEREST

For seventeen years the National
Municipal League has been increasing
in membership, influence and useful
ness. It's seventeenth annual conyen-
ito, which will meet in this city Mo-
vember 10. for four days stay. prom
ises to eclipse every one OF its six
teen predecessors both In attendance
and interest.
Since 1894 the league has been the
chief agency of the country for the
development OF progressive ideas re-
lating to civic affairs. the propeganda
for improved civic conditions having
been principally educational. on the
theory that the varied problems which
now confront and perplex the Ameri-
can communities may be solved by
enlightened public opinion.
The convention will be held in the
auditorium OF the Jefferson Hotel. and
will be one Of the most interesting of
the many exceedingly interesting gath.
erings Of the year.
interesting Features.
Walter l.. Fisher, secretary Of the
interior, long an active member OF the
National Municipal League. probably
! Will preside ever the AFst public meet
ing. At this time, William Dudley
Foulke, who succeeded Ex-Attorney
General Charles ]. Bonaparte as pres
ident OF the league. will deliver his
address, the theme being Effective
Municipal Government"
Ex-Prestdent Bonaparts will preside
at the business meeting. when the
various reports of ofiicers and COM
mittees will be received. and officers
elected for the ensuing year. AT this
session the feature will be the year
ly review Of civic progress, by the sec
Rotary. Clinton Rogers Woodbury.. OF
Philadelphia Harvey n. Shepard. OF
Boston, will read a paper on Tho
Thraldcm OF Massachusetts, Cities"
Thomas NJ. Pittman, city attorney OF
Henderson, n. c., viii discuss Prob
lens OF Small Cities, Particularly
Those OF the South Richard $.
| Childs, Of New York, will offer the
| report Of the Committee on Commits
sion Government. which has given q
| year to special study OF this new pop
ular form OF municipal administration.
! In the first Round Table Lun-
| cheon," which Is always an interest
| ing event, the commission form of
| government will be informally discuss
/ ed
/ That many of the problems OF mu-
t nicipal government are problems for
! experts, chosen without regard to pol
/ itics, and frequently without regard
] to residence. IL q contention OF some
! eminent publicists For the benefit or
| the delegates to the Richmond meet
| ing. Richard Henry Dana. OF Boston.
/ will discuss the question, How to
| Get and Retain Technical Experts in
| Municipal Work" A report also will
ton and retention Of higher mans-
! cipal officers.
/ Municipal Civil Service.
J Municipal civil service reform viii
| he the subject OF paper by Mr..
Bonaparte Lawson Purdy. the New
York tax expert. chairman OF the
leagues committee investigating the
/, subject, will talk Of excess conden,na-
ton. and DIR. Robert c. Brooks, of tho
University OF Cincinnati, will read i
paper on THE German Imperial I'm
earned Increment Tax
/ Ftscal methods will be considered In
4 another session. when George Burn
/ ham, Jr., treasurer OF the league, Of
Philadelphia. will submit tn report of
the Committee on City Finances and
Budgets. Among the addresses Will
be one by DIR. Jesse d. BuTks. mu-
nicipal research expert OF New York.
| whose subject Will be, lis a Standard
OF Municipal Efficiency Feasible ana
| Desirable p Another address will ba,
The Duties OF = Controller with Spe-
cial Reference 10 Independent lnspec-
ton OF Municipal Work" by city Con-
troller John NJ. Walton. OF Phila-
deiphia,
Municipal health work will also re-
ceive attention. DIR. Nj. n. Baker. Of
Montciair, n. j.. Saalskar Gum. John
vogeisen, Of Philadelphia: John Ihlder.
DR.. 8. c. Mitchell. president of the
University OF South Carolina. OF New
!. York. and Mrs. Mary b. Munford. Of
! vi< nj =
OF the subject.
Political reforms will also be dis
! cussed William E. Rappard. former
Is OF Geneva. will tell the delegates
sofnething OF the HwiAs electoral sys-
tom. Reginald Mott Hull, OF CAM
bridge, Mass, will discuss preferen-
tial voting.
Municipal franchises, to which quss-
ton the National Municipal League
has given much attention for years
will be considered from opposing view
points. Robert Treat Paine. chairman
win OTTER the report Of the Commit
tee on Franchises.
LiQuef Question.
In its relation to municipal affaira
7 the liquor trGfssc has bexn y aub3sca
OF inquiry by the league. and the
Richmond meeting will hear It dis.
cussed In two important aspects. VII.
liam II. Thomas of Montgomery
Alabama, will talk of the prohibition
movement in the South. c. G. kidder
formerly chairman OF the Excise Board
OF Orange. n. j., win speak OF ths
liquor and the police problems Of
cities.
The local committee on arrange
ments. Of which Mr.. J. q. Coriey ID
chairman. held q well. attended meet.
Ing yesterday afternoon. at the Chant
! make provision for the entertainment
! OF provision. for the entertainment Of
OF the National Civic League. A ten.
tntive program was adopted. includ'
! ing Z reception at tho Jefferson. I
, luncheon 1T the Country Club. or an.
other Of the City's Clubs. and 1t II
, probable that the Governor will ten.
r der reception to the city'a distin-
r eaaialnA. naaAaAa Thu .cnrnniftee MI