The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-22
BUSINESS PEOPLE
BEHIND NEW PLAN
Convention Idea Opposed, Not
Endorsed, by Politicians
Who Seek Power.
WILL CALL MASS-MEETING
Need OF Elccting Good Men on
Administrative Board Will
Be Shown.

Business men who have given the
Question mucn attention declared yes
terday that tde apparent opposition to
the convention pan OF nominating
members oI the Adm, mis- trativc Board
was que to an erroneous conception
as TO the men behind the movement
Ihey explained that the movement WAS
being put forward by business men,
not oy politicians. that no slate had
heen made up OF even suggested, that
the real value of the primary system
was broken down by ths multitude of
candidates. and rhat the whole system
OF city government. under the new
plan. vii! be ruined unless men of wise
business judgment, acknowledged abil-
iy and wisdom are eNcted.
In order to convince me public that
it is not political scheme it was an
nounced last night that a mass meet
ing will be called within the next week
and that prominent citizens would de-
liver addresses, i'm which they will un-
dcrtake TO show the Importance of de-
vising some plan for tho good of the
entire community.
Need Good Members.
The thing is this said ii citizen
who mas advocated the convention.
we are soon to elect five men who are
To conduct business amounting to
SS.000.0U0 annually. Thcy are clothed
with tremendous power. they elect
all city officers. except the CITY At
tcrncy. award contracts. authorize the
expenditure Of MONEY, and carry on
all the work now performed "a the
Council committees. III this Admins
trative Board idea is 70 he a success
"" must have strones men in Office
Tne public mas right TO know some
thing Aoout tho candidates now IN tin
race. Do you suppose corporation
would pick out II man earning less
than $500 month ana pay him 5000
unless he mad ability not previously
recognized? The fact that a man mas
- big political following l. all the
reason why We should have business
men who are not la politics on the
Administrative Board. Go TO the C,>5
Han and ask city employees what they
think OF the convention idea. Go 10
the ward politicians and ask their
opinion. You will find them bowling
against it, and they arc sincere IN their
howla
business People Aroused.
This movement is put forth in an
effort TO ct the Administrative Board
cut OF politict The business people
are aroused TO the Importance OF ac-
ton THY are not in favor OF nolni-
Ild tiHE any opNN except men oil expert
cnce. You have got to elect men who
are making sacrifice In serving the
city rather tnan men who viii increase
their income 100 500 or 1000 per cent
by going on the board. 1t Is common
street talk that the city employees are
against the business movement 1t
ought not to be n difficult matter to
ASCERTAIN tina; fact We have made a
change of tremendous Importance IN
the mana cement OF city affairs. but IL
VIII be sorry day for Richmond. un-
less men OF experience and success and
brains are nominated as city man
ayers"
Many of those who have bean work
ing for tho convention plan realize
that great opposition has developed
but they attribute this TO tho fact that
the public has been badly inform. ed.
SO mass meeting will DO hald, at
which the facts will be ably set forth
for the information and guidance Of
the voters.