The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-22

Disappointed and outraged by the
appointment OF John L. Butler,
l5ricklayer, once discharged from city
employment for drunkenness, as Build
ing Inspector of Richmond, citizens
and Councilmen yesterday generally
expressed the view that the new Adj
minlstrative Board. so far from giving
the city the businesslike and efficient
government for which it was created,
has at the very outset shown that a
majority of its members are controlled
By a type Of ward politics wofse in
its effect on city affairs than that
dominating In recent years any com-
mittee OF the Council.
"a great disappointment" was the
universally expressed opinion of those
who drew the charter changes pro-
viding for the new board, and who
worked to secure their adoption
May Cut Salary.
II the board persists In its an
nounced intention. II was stated last
night that immediate steps would be
taken by the City Council to reduce
the salary. from $500 per annum TO
some figure more commensurate with
the probable value of the new Build
Ing Inspectors services. Members OF
the Council stand firmly on Chapter
the election OF a properly qualified
building Inspector" From a state
ment issued by Mr.. Folkes last night
il appears that not even those who
voted for Mr.. Butler claim that he is
qualified. 1t has been suggested that
the Council may omit from the next
annual budget any appropriation for
the office OF Building Inspector, leay-
ing the duties to be performed. as
originally contemplated in the charter.
by the Engineer Department.
In prepared statement printed
herewith. former State Senator E. C.
Folkes attempts TO defend the board 8
action. He admits that Mr.. Butler was
properly discharged for drunkenness.
pleading that he be given another
chance. Coupling his name with that
OF T. W. Trafford. elected Superinten-
dent OF the Electric Plant. Mr.. Folkes
adroitly attempts to ride one official in
on the standing OF another. In his
statement. Mr.. Foikes does not claim
that Mr.. Butler is competent to pass
on plans for big buildings, asserting
merely that he has authority to employ
some one else to do that work. and
that his experience as a bricklayer will
make him competens TO supervise con-
struction.
storm of DisapprovaI.
The action of the Administrative
Board has created storm of disappro-
val, and was generally taken by those
interviewed as complete surrender 10
small politics. and an absolute failure
on the part OF at least three members
of the new board to understand or
even to attempt TO measure I'D to the
purpose for which the board was Great
ed. and for which its members are to
receive $1,000 pes aunum each from
the city treasury.
Captain Mccarthy. who threw his
vote to Allen SsviiIe a cardiste VIII,
has been barely known as In the race.
was averse TO giving an interview last
night. He was unwilling in any way
70 question the right OF his associates
on the board TO vote 10 suit them
selves. and preferred to keep out OF
any controversy that may arise a. 4,
the wisdom Of an appointment for
which he does not stand sponsor. For
this reason De declined TO make any
statement for publication.
Neither Robert Whittct. Jr. nor John
FirschberR cared 70 issue a reply ve~-
fcrday 20 Henry ?. Beck's declaration
that the election Of the dlscrcdften
deputy WAS an aGront % the voters Of
Richmond. Ir. Fcikes defended But
leF's oapabiiiiy IN an interview In which
De admitted that Butler had been dis
charged for drinking. but claimed inst
Do had now reformed.
Foxes Tssne- statement
Mr.. Foikes's written statement reads.
As FAR as the ira.iora Of Messr..
Tranord ana Butler are concerned. I
have simply this % say. The over
whcimirc testimony ~ those who a.
and who DO know about csec-
tic Affairs r. tnis city agree that NJ
Tranord cannot BE- exoeiled In his line.
About Mr. Butler. he has twice work.
81 under Mr. Beck and has Consider
able experiences in tne 0fscc. n tas
erection % the MA skyscraper. tn
building frsDector hss a. or6f1er<
10 which The ouue- must have /. d.
Interested architect 70 check ever -
plans. I am sure this j. sub<tsnf.s<<<