The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-11
H|RSCHBERG WANTS
LIGHT FOR STREETS
THEN HE PROCEEDS TO SHED
METAPH0RICAL LIGHT
ON CITY.
A SKIS AND GIVES
MOVES BOARD PUT ARC LAMPS ON
SIDE STREETS. THEN
THROWS Light ON
BOARD.
A SKIS AND GIVE S

Commissioner Hirschberg believes
in giving the city practical and physic-
al light as we'll as theoretical illumin-
alton. AT the meeting of the admin
istrative board yesterday Mr., Hirsch-
berg moved that arc lights be placed
as the following places:
Two on Eighth street, between
Broad and Marshall: one in front of
the High school on Marshall street:
one on Eighth street, between Mar
snail and Clay: one on First street be-
tween Clay ard Leigh
Then, in conversation with several
citizens, Mr.. Hirschberg slipped out
the remark that he thought in view of
all the discussion engaged in by cit
liens and councilmen, In which opinion
seemed to be divided, mainly favor
able, however. to giving the admin
istrative board more authority in the
conduct of public matters, that either
the administrative board or the city
council should be abolished.
Aid or Abolish 1t.
In other words, Mr.. Hirschberg's
personal opinion Is that IL board,
which devotss every day to the busi-
ness of the city cannot be of more
value, and perform more services than
committee Of council. which devotes
about two nights a month 20 consider
alton of the same matters then that
board should be abolished.
"Of course" said Mr.. Hirschberg.
"in the fight, or election. which must
OF necessity follow a fight the ques-
tson will resolve itself into the ques-
ton as to whether the city profits more
by the acts OF the administrative board
or by those of the council, and that
wuodl mean that one or the other
would be abolished In my contact
with the people of the city. and
heye had much of II, both as q council
man and a member Of the ndministra-
tive hoard. i find that the people pre-
fer the administrative board And the
reason is apparent The board sits
every day to hear from citizens and
TO transact the business OF the city as
Il comes before it. The council meets
monthly. The committees meet once
or twice q month. The citizens know
that when matters come before the
board. of which they have the au-
thority to dispose, they are disposed
of in a minimum of time. That is why
1t seems to NE that II the admlnistra
tive board mad the conduct of other
departments the people of the city
would be better served.
Is Not Prsonai
Il DO not mean this particular
board, but any board. Common sense
shows this. The administrative board
has done more work In street and
other improvements. as the records
show In the eleven months of it's ex-
istence. than the street committee or
the city council can show In any FIVE
years of its existence. And the answer
Is easy. Because the board is en- the
Job all the time. C6uncilmen are vol
unteer workers for the city. They do
not let city matters interfere with their
private business. Committees fire.
quentIy fail of quorums, because the
members have business or social mat
tiers to attend to. But with D. paid
board. as this Is, there is always
quorum. and the business of the city
goes ahead"
Other members of the board are
sitting still In the boat, They are
awaiting Developments.
AT a recent meeting of the finance
co,n.nittee Chairman Whi.tet of the
administrative board. said that he felt
the business of the city could he more
serviceably transacted by people who
dcS oted all their time to that end
Give Council Authority.
while | do not urge the council to
place all the departments under the
administrative board at this time. ! do
say that. In my opinion, ard l am
here representing the entire board, II
would be proper tn clothe the city
council with the authority 10, at any
time that body may see fit, place any
hoard or department OF the city gov
eminent under the jurisdiction Of the
administrative board. All work may
be facilitated as Is now shown in the