The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-24
VOnderlehr Ordinan
Requires Board to En-
ploy Trained Men.
MUST PICK THEM
BY EXAMINATION
Councilman Offers Plan Drafted
by City Attorney to Prevent
New Board From Putting
Unframed and Nontechnical
Men in Important Tech
nicai Positions.

Cutting directly 10 the root OF the
criticism and Dissatisfaction aroused
in every section OF the city by the ac-
tion Of the new Administrative Board
in naming an untralDed and nontech-
nical man TO FIJI a responsible and
highly important technical position,
Councilman a. L. NOnderlehr sent TO
the clerks desk in the Common COun-
eli last night for reference 10 the Com
mittee on Ordinances. an ordinance re-
curing civil service examinations under
direction OF the Administrative Board
10 determine the fitness and special
training Of those aspiring 20 hold pub
lie Office. The ordinance was drawn
by city Attorney H. r Pollard at the
request OF Mr. Vonderlehr. and Is I'M
derstoOd 10 have the City Attorney.
approval IS 70 his Interpretation OF
the new charter and the power OF the
Council 10 impose such requirements
by ordinances governing the conduct
OF the Administrative Board.
Must Re Fitted for Job.
The ordinance IS modelled very much
after the Federal statute on the sub
ject OF civil service. which provides
that the President Of the United States
snail prescribe rules. with the ala OF
the Civil Service Commission. for the
admission OF persons 20 government
employment. Had the new ordinance
been effective the election OF a brick
layer. however trustworthy Or skilful
IN his traose. 10 the Offic- u Building
Inspector would have been Impossible
II is intended TO prevent continue
ticn OF the policy lad d4sn m its
first official action by the big Three"
who now control the Administrative
= - fz-~ 10 -,
Office have started out 20 pay their
political debt. and provide for their
coming campaign for reelection by
means OF salaries paid from the city
treasury
Not a word Of criticism is directed
by the patron. Mr. Nonderiehr. against
Mr. Butler. but he fears IL the policy
laid down is adhered TO that a gas
meter reader might De given charge Of
the Gas Works. a ditch digger direc-
ti0n OF the Water Works. or rodman
chosen as City Engineer.
The SonderIehr Ordnance.
The Vonderlehr ordinance reads:
An ordinance requiring the Admin
istrative Board to prescribe rules and
regulations concerning the admission
Of persons into the service or employ
ment of the city 81 Richmond
Be il ordained by the Council of the
city of Richmond:
l. That. the Administrative Board of
the city OF Richmond De. and il Is
hereby. required TO prescribe such rules
and regulations for the admission Of
persons into the service OF the city as
may best promote the efficiency there
of. and ascertain the fitness OF each
person in respect TO age. health. char
acter. knowledge and ability for the
branch OF service in which he seeks
to enter. ana FOR this purpose the said
board may employ suitable persons to
conduct inquiries and may prescribe
their duties and establish regulations
for the conduct OF persons who may
receive appointments in said service,
whether as officers or employees.
>. This ordinance shall be in force
fr om its passage.
No Discussion In Council.
There was no discussion OF the orci-
nance il not being properly before the
Council at this time. II will be duly
considered on its merits by the Com
rnittee on Ordinances In the Council
there is a distinct spirit 10 get togetn-
er with the new board for the ad-
vancement Of Richmond. and il is
probable that members OF the board
will be asked TO consult with the com
ulftsse as 10 inc U-&CtlN1l " o. hllA- u
such a plan. Friends OF the Big
Three" who voted for Butler are
everywhere apoiogizing for their sc-
ton. and asserting that the election
Of Butler was under the apprehension
that he had made an ACCEPTABLE SeDcty.
and that the failure Of AR. Beck 20
recommend him was personal rather
than because Of his lack Of special
training or professional education Mr.
Whittet's friends are most outspOken
in their belief that he MADE a mistake
in his vote. and several Of those VINO
were most influential in his campaign
have u-ge-s him TO reconsider before
tho final and legal election takes place
on the floor OF the Common Council
last night there vas no direct silusion
TO the Butler matter Mr.. Butler was
in the city Hall during most Of the
meeting. remaining just outsicc Of the
doors OF the Council chamber. within
hearing Of the proceedings Several
times questions % procedure arose a.
10 reference OF official papers TO sne
Administrative Roar. which b. not yet
legally IN Office. and several such pa
pc-s were 50 referred.
In Line Win Decks >uzEe>sion-
The Vorderlch~ ordinance. providing
To- examination Of applicants for pub
tic positions as 20 their special fitness,
Is IN line with the suggestion mace
By Building Inspector Beck IN the re-
cent meeting Of the Administrative
BOARD. and which was checrfuily
ignored - thosc who had banded
themselves together TO elect Butler b.
fore the meeting was called to order.
Mr. Beck suggested an oral examiua-
iion % al applicants before some local
board Of engineers. or that written
questions b. propoun5cd 20 draw out
their technical and practical know
ledge. and the papers submitted FOR
decision 60 some disinfercstcd Official
such a. fhc United states Supervising
Architect ~ Washington. Realizing
that their man was without technical
training ana would have no show IN