The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-19
ASHBURhER TELLS Of
CONTINUED From First Pare,


manager, and with him form a sort
of q cabinet with which he keeps in
close touch. To increase the friend
ly relations between the city manager
and the department heads, the city
manager has entertained the heads at
least once each month at a semi-ofh-
cial. business and social gathering.
SPRINGFIELD NOW A
BOARDLESS TOWN
springfield has no board OF health,
no fire board and no police board"
said Mr.. Ashburner. Each depart
meut In under a single head, and each
,dapartment head 10 solely responsible
to the manager for the conduct OF
his department. The engineering de-
partment has abolished all minor sub
Offices, and the chief engineer is held
responsible TO the city manager aor
paving and cleaning the streets, con-
struction OF sewer systems, and COLI
lection Of ashes and garbage
.sThe police act as sanitary spec
torx Each policeman Is held rcspon-
stbie for all immoral, unsanitary ana
unlawful conditions which prevail
upon his beat All city vehicles are
motorized.
I'm Ohio, the city IL a part of the
county In which 1t is situate. condi-
ton different from that existing in
vlrxfna. but one that may easily be
overcome in the framing of new
charter 80 far as the broadening or
the city's powers is concerned. The
county officers in Ohio collect the taxes
for both city and State and turn over
TO the city treasurer the city's portion.
THE school board of Springfield 10
entirely independent OF the commits
sioners of the city and Of the city
manager.
..The bonded debt of Springfield is
1900, 900. and the limit Of indebted
ness which the city may assume by
bond Issue 10 s2.225,ooe.
There are ninety-eight saloons In
Springfield. Liquor license costs 81 600
per annum, half Of which Accrues to
the city and half to the State. Dur
ing tho last year there has been only
one arrest for violation of the liquor
laws
uTNEYs ENCOURAGED IN
THIS MUNICIPAL PARADISE
sOns per cent Of the gross revenues
OF the street railway company Is given
TO the city. Jitneys are encouraged
They operate in the suburban and out
skirts Districts and do not enter into
competition with the street railway
company.
springfield citizens seeking better
city government" said Mr.. Ashburner,
organized a committee Of loo to con-
duct an educational campaign In the
newspapers. factories and clubs to
show the people just what could be
gotten from highly organized eff
ficient administration.
Under the Springfield charter there
are five commissioners who serve for
four years eacAn. two going into Of
Ace at the end of the first two years.
and three at the end of the second two
years and SO on. The pay OF the COM
missioners In $500 each per annum.
The commissioners meet weekly, and
each Ia subject to fine of $40 for abb
sence from regular weekly sessions.
CITY MANAGER NAMED
BY COMMISSIONERS
Tho commissioners elect the city
manager, who Ia the executive head OF
the government, who has charge OF all
administrative work, and who 10 re-
sponsibie to no one but the commits
sioners, who have the power to dismiss
him for cause. His salary is SIS. 900 per
year. The commissioners have author
ity to name an acting manager. who
serves as manager during the absence
OF that official from the city. The city
manager has the power to appoint adj
visory boards oconsult with him on
public questions"
Mr.. Ashburner's address was heard
with much interest by a number OF
those who are moving. through the
medium Of the Civic Association of
Richmond. for new charter. A num-
Der Of citizens. not members of the
organization, were also interested In
the recital of the progress Of Spring
field under the new system OF govern
ments. At the close of the meeting
Mr.. Ashburner left Of Old Point In his
.automobile He will later 80 to Bafti-
more. where ne viii spend ia few days.
~. Astbarnsr u now On his y1ca-