The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-25
On. ANDERSON SPEAKS.
0e CHARTER CHANGES.
Richmond College Professor Makes
Eloquent Appeal In Behalf OF
New Form OF City Government.
SHOULD BE EASY WORKING
Says II Should Run as Smooth as
Best Conducted Business In Rich
mond-Many Young East Encers
Join New Progressive Association.

Advocating the abolition Of the pres
ent cumbersome and antiquated'
form of city government and favoring
! the concentration of legislative re-
sponsibility on few people so that
the citizens may know how the work
is being conducted, DIR. Dice r. An
'derson, professor of political econO-
mics at Richmond College. and who
was instrumental in drafting the pro-
posed new city charter. made an elo-
quent appeal in behalf of the Civic
Associations plan before the men,
bers OF the Young Mems Progressive
Association last night in the audtoi
rum OF Springfield School.
DIR. Anderson asserted that the city
government should be clean in every
respect and shold be as easy work
ing as the best organized business in
Richmond. He declared that the aboli-
ton Of the present system, which is
being done away with by practically
all of the cities OF any consequence
in the United States, and the adoption
OF the new charter will mean efflc-
iency.
No government Is too good for
the city of Richmond" Dr. Anderson
declared. 1T is great city and one
that has as noble a history as any
In the country. Why should 1t be held
now and schackeled by the present
form of government
He said tat the people OF this as
well as every other city in the coun-
try should have right to any form
OF government they desire. They have
right to say how the affairs of the
city should be conducted and net have
something showed down their throats
that they don't want.
should be Simple One
THE government of city should
be plain and simple one" DIR. An
derson continued" and one that can
be understood by all Of the people.
A complex system of government can
be understood by politicians who make
study Of 1t, but We want a govern
ment with which alt of the people will
be familiar"
! DR.. Anderson explained the necessity
of the managerial rains being in eff
hcient hands so that the best results
can be obtained. He declared that the
new charter provides for the election
of man to whom the administration
/ OF the city will be turned. and II he
j is found incompetent, he can be turned
out Of Office after duration of two
years 1t also provides for the appoint
ment of clearks on their merits and
not for political reasons.
He declared that the new plan has
evoked some criticism. but in most
cases. he said 1t comes from unin-
! formed men--men who have not read
the plans they denounce. DR.. An
derson asserted that one Of the prin-
cipal men who have denounced the new
form of city government Is Captain
Carlton Mccarthy. who. he says. has
apparently paid little attention to the
plan that has beer outlined.
| "On the floor of the City Council a
few nights ago. Captain Mccarthy de-
nounced me and the others who have
played part IN drafting the new
charter. In fact, II looked as II Cap
tain Mccarthy denounced almost
everyone save himself. When we
are talking" said DR.. Anderson.
docs a business concern have two
boards OF directors? Does 1t have one
set of fools to do something foolish
apd another set of fools to see that
they are not doing foolish things. Then
why should there he two municipal
bodies to conduct the affairs of the
local city government? The United
States does not need two presidents.
The State OF Virginia does not need
two governors. Why do we need five
members Of the Administrative Board,
when one man would do just as w ell ."
DIR. Anderson's address was very
well received by the East Finders. and
applause after applause greeted his re-
marks. Following DR.. Anderson Coun-
Gilman George Rogers. who represents
!; Jefferson Ward In the municipal body
to which much credit belongs for the
new charter, showed charts of the
present form Of city government, and
the new system proposed by the Civic
Association. His talk. which was in
terestng and Instructive, lasted for
more than thirty minutes.
The Young Mems Progressive Asso-
: citation. which organization was form
ed few weeks ago. is rapidly growing
and last night more than fifty new
members were secured. A meeting
will be held in the near future and by
that time there will be more than
800 members.
President John ]. Wicker appointed
the following to comprise the regis
tration committee: joan r. Jeter.
Frank Rowe. Charles Felvey, Ernest
c. Pollard and DIR. j. s Boisseau.
Drug Store Broken Into.
Y. r. Mayo & Brothers. druggists.
at Brooke Avenue and Clay Streets.
81 49,.