The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-07
MAKE SURF or SUCCESS.

MAZE ~tRE or SUCCESS.
We are not inclined to- charge that those who
voted La incluae the Police Fire and Health
DEPARTMENTS within the operation OF the pro-
posed Administrative Board did so for the pur-
pose Of comprising the defeat of the ordi-
nance No evidence of this appeared in the
discussion and. as We are not gifted with the
ability to read the hidden secrets OF men's
minds We are not justified in impugning the
motives OF these On the contrary, they
who spoke In It's support seemed sincere in
their opinion that the authority of the Board
should comprehend all the departments Of mn-
nipal administration and argued that this ar
rangement would operate to the more econom-
ical and efficient government OF the city and
would tend to remove these departments from
the realm OF politics.
Perhaps so Al any rate there are many
citizens who favor this wholesale inclusion OF
the departments. The original committee it,
self admitted that ultimately this consumma-
ton was TO be desired but they urged that the
time not propitious and that conditions
were not expedient TO push the demand
We think. therefore. that their reasons
should be given due consideration and that, in
order to insure the passage OF the plan. We had
better for the time being accept what we are
toleI ably of getting. The original propo-
sition of the special committee which was
endorsed by the committee on Ordinance will
be long step towards the ideal form OF gov
eminent and by the later inclusion OF the
other three departments. can then be made
perfect
These three departments under their pres
ent boards conducted without criticism and
in fashion 20 command favorable comment
In the discussions incident to the consideration
strong assertions we're made that other de-
partments were not we'll administered but It
was universally admitted that the Police, Fire
and Health boards had done their work we'll.
Hence, In view of the tremendous amount OF
work to be done by the new Administrative
Board in organizing the other departments and
the comparative inexperience OF the men who
will be called upon to do this work. It was
thought wise to eliminate for the time the de
partnents that were already well managed and
add them later when the Board shall have be-
efficient in the performance of them.
Again it candidy admitted that just;
now political Influences might imperil the
passage of the whole plan if these departments
should be included There is grave doubt
that the Aldermen are prepared to adopt the
substitute ordinance and should they adopt it
the voting strength OF these departments is
sufficient To enable them 10 dictate to large
extent the selection OF tho Administration
Board.
II seems sensible to us. therefore tina. we
give due weight to the conclusion of the spe-
cial committee OF councilmen and citizens who
have given exhaustive consideration To the
whole matter IL all OF its various angles and
that adopt the original recommendation
We trust that the aldermen Will therefore.
seTd back The ordinance In its original form
TO the Council for concurrence and that those
good men who voted for the substitute Vii. ac-
cept H.
There are times when men must adopt the
spirit Of compromise. 1t were better TO Sc
cure the success of the plan without the incln-
MON OF the three boards concerning which the
difference has arisen. than TO fail of anything
We think a sufficient number OF councilmen
viii realize this TO give the original plan sue
cess.