The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-29
THINKS 1T BEST WAY TO BRING
DEPARTMENTS TO-
GETHER
TO PLAN
WILL PUT SUGGESTED CHARTER
CHANGES IN PROPER FORM
FOR CONSIDERATION
OF COMMITTEE

In order to bring the various de-
partments of the city government
closer together. the council commit
tee on charter changes last night
heard from the heads of the several
departments under the administration
of the administrative board. and some
of those " no are not under that body.
and the general opinion was that ali
the departments should be under the
board.
President Whittet, of the admins
trative board. said that he felt that.
while there had been some friction
in connection with the operation of
the city government so far as the
board and the council committees
were concerned. there were not as
many as he had anticipated
Not Much Friction.
with a sudden change of form
of government" said Mr. Whittet.
I'VE anticipated many little things
which might later be adjusted. but
must admit that there were not as
many disagreeable incidents as we
had anticipated. The administrative
and legislative bodies Of the city
government have gotten along won
derfully Well"
In answer to a question from the
chairman of the committee. Mr.. Whit
tet said that he believed that all the
departments OF the city government
should be under the supervision of
the administrative board.
I'VE have a number of the depart
ments now" said Mr.. Whittet. but |
believe all the departments should
be under the direction of the admin
istrative board, Not all at once.
believe the health department should
tNn r1fn
board now. There are many things
in common between that department
and our board. If we had control of
the health department. there might
not be so many disagreeable Incl
dents between that department and
the water department. So far as the
police and fire DEPARTING nts are con-
cerned, | think that as time goes the
administrative board might take
charge OF them. 1t will prove OF
inestimable value to the city: 1t will
minimize time and money"
Mr.. Whittet also said that he
thought the street committee might
be relieved of work which had to get
back to the board, and suggested that
allegations for paving and other mat
tiers along that line might be placed
In the hands of-the- hnard--so-iha
time might be saved, and citizens re-
lieved in short space Of time.
Others Are Heard.
Others who spoke to the commit
tee were Superintendent Davis. of the
water department.; Chief Werner, Of
the police department: Chief Joynes,
Of the fire department; Superinten-
dent Cohn. of the street department;
| City Engineer Boiling and the city
attorney.
Chief Werner said he was satisfied
with the condition OF affairs; ditto
Chief Joynes. Superintendent Cohn
wanted something done about the
dumps, and the city attorney said fha,
an ordinance, leaving that to the ad-
ministrative board could be easily
framed so Mr.. Cohn smiled and sa,
down.
Building Inspector Butler said he
was satisfied with the way things were
going. except that there were not as
many buildings going up as he would
like to see.
The substance of the whole matter
was that the city attorney was direct
ed to prepare statement in writing
concerning charter changes along
| these lines, to be presented TO the
committee on Friday, November 14th
unless otherwise called by the chair
/ man.