The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-01-14
H|RSCHBERG AND
BETTER SERVICE
COMMISSIONER WOULD CoNCEN-
TrsATE AND MINIMIZE IN IN
TEREsrs OF CITY.
NO INTERFERING E
HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS NOT TO
BE HANDICAPPED IN THE
EMPLOYMENT OF
HELP,

AS was anticipated in The Virginian
yesterday Commissioner {irSGhperg
offered "A resolution at the regular
meeting of the administrative board
yesterday morning requesting all the
heads of city departments to send to
the board the names, occupations and
pay of every man III the various de-
partments.
This resolution was adopted unan-
imously.
Commissioner Hirschberg explained
that he wished TO know these things.
because he had in contemplation a
resolution of some scope. by which
ne hoped to minimize the expenses of
conducting the various department,
and at the same time aid the heads Of
the departments in the conduct Of
their duties.
While Mr.. Hirschberg would not go
into details concerning the plan he
has in mind. he minated that 1t was
his purpose to endeavor to get tho
board to centralize affairs In the city
government, and to have none but
competent men in any department.
His idea IL to eliminate politics from
ell city departments. To place every
man in any department. from the
street cleaning force to the office OF
plane. so that there might be nc
reason to feel that competent men
were being overlooked in the employ
ment OF men to conduct the affairs of
the city.
Better Service to City.
The members Of the board felt
that the proposition might prove a
good one. and all readily agreed with
Mr.. Hirschberg that such action would
tend to elevate the personnel OF those
on the city pay roll.
This Is no civil service proposi-
tion," said Mr.. Hirsehberg last night
''It is simply consolidation of in
terests. We want the best men, and
We want the best service obtainable.
We want to get rid of the political
CRATER. If We have one. and place
in his place a man who may be COM
petent and capable, i have no man
in view. All l wish is TO make the
city service as high class as pos
sible."
II was explained by Commissioner
Foikes yesterday that the board would
not attempt to interfere with the
heads OF departments in the employ
ment of men. The ordinance requires
all heads TO report to the board such
vacancies that may arise. and to nom
mate some one TO fill the vacancy. 1t
is not the intention of the board at
ali TO interfere with the man at the
head of q department
IF we did that" commented Mr..
Foikes. we would have the depart
ment UP in the air all the time. The
only requirement is that when va
cancy asvses We must, under the law.
be notified. We had little resig-
nation at the City home yesterday
An orderly at the price Of $40 a month
resigned. DIR. Cabell, quite properly
appointed another man. and then
promptly informed US of his action"
Talk About the River.
Chairman Rogers. Captain John A
Curtis and others appeared before
the board yesterday and explained
conditions at the dock.
The question as to whether to
charge for doekage or wharfage, and
other matters of some interest to
those who have a seafaring learning
were discussed, and the board took
under consideration all that had been
told them.
A number of minor street repair
matters were referred TO the city en-
gineer, and the keeper OF Maury GEM
etery was directed to spend $50 for
tools, and small repairs at that place
The proposition of paving Lom-
hardy street adjacent to the British
American Tobacco company's plant
and the plant OF S'tterding, Carneal
and Davis, was referred to the city
engineer.