The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-29
MORE POWER FOR MAYOR
Continued From First Page,)

lice force. This paper was also laid
over for future discussion.
Then Mr.. Pollock presented his pa
per. 1t provides for the election of
the Administrative Board ny Council
upon recommendation of the Mayor
II requires the Mayor to sit with the
Administrative Board. and gives him
the power of vetoing action by that
board II suggests the abolition of
the Fire, Police and Health Boards,
placing the duties Of such boards
under the jurisdiction Of the Admin
istrative Board. 1t makes 1t a mis-
demeanor for any member of Coun~
Icil to recommend the appointment OF
any person under the Administrative
Board. and requires the Mayor to sub
nit with his nomination to the Ad-
rnnistrative Board n certificate that
he has named the appointees be-
cause of their fitness.
Enlarges Boards Powers
The paper also provides for the en-
largement Of the powers of the Ad-
ministrative Board in it's appointing
power. The appointments embrace
the Chief of Police. Chief of Fire De-
partmert, the City Attorney, officers
of City Council City Accountant City
Auditor, delinquent tax collector. city
ttfitttOt anu Pcif'S JhSANt
| This paper WAS laid over for future
reference
! Then. on motion of Mr.. Pollock. the
Mayor was called upon to discuss the
i situation and to answer questions per-
/ tanning to the powers and authority of
the Office of Mayor.
| Mayor Ainslie stated that he had
not prepared himself to make an ad-
dress upon the question. but stood
ready to answer any questions which
might lead to an enlightenment upon
the part OF the committee,
/ During an extended Gross CONVEX
! sa,ion" with members Of the commit
| tee and "A plain statement as to his
conception OF the powers and respon-
sihilities of the ONCE, Mayor Ainslie
said that the constitution and charter
| both designated certain functions and
duties pertaining to the office. but that
I neither OF them gave the Mayor any
perceptible power.
"Authority" without Power.
He has all kinds of authority"
said Mayor Ainslie. but he has no
! power He may recommend and sug-
I gest. but he cannot enforce.
Under the restrictions OF the office.
AS set forth In the charter and the
Constitution the Mayor has little pow
thought that the Mayor should have
specific powers delegated 10 him
With such powers the Mayor would
be able to prove of more value to the
city.
Mayor Ainslie explained that the
Mayor. while supposed to be the head
OF the city government. has really
little authority. He cannot do any
thing AS finality. except when n
crime may be committed The Mayor
should be clothed with actual authori-
ty, and should be given the power to
enforce his authority.
He cannot discharge an incompe-
tent man in any department OF the
/ city government. He can only recon-
/ mend. and then the man at the head
of that department may act in ac-
/ cordance with his own inclination.
In word, the MAYOR thought that
| the consolidation of the various boards
Into one board might tend to meet the
demands of better government He
| believes that as II member of the
board the powers OF the Mayor might
be enlarged and protected. but ne had
taRse -Aau,h.ss AS ii, ,s.hes her- .ts .Mas@7
should appoint and discharge.
The Mayor said the Administrative
Board would betray its trusts, being
elected by the people, If they accept
ed directions from anyone else.
The only power the Mayor has"
said Mayor Ains!ie. lis that of per-
suasion and suggestion"
Must Have Power.
In reply to question Mayor Ain
slie said
The Mayor In bound to have author
ity, or he can do nothing but suggest
II power 10 given TO the Mayor. It
must be taken from the departments