Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-14

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COZ. THOMAS BRANCH McADAMs.
is In need Of change. we ought to know
just what is wrong with our present
system. While l have heard general
charges that the government, is inef-
tci"nt. have yet to hear Of single
specific charge showing DELINQUENCY
on the part of any individual or in
any SPECIFIC department Of our present
government. If such information is in
the possession of Or. Anderson hope
he viii present II TO this committee"
DEMANDS SPECIFIC INSTANCES
OF INEFFICIENCY CHARGED
Il, is not my purpose TO discuss Of
hciais OF particular departments" re-
piled Or. Anderson. 1t is sufficient for
mo TO say tina, am convinced that.
there is room for great improvement
in the city government-that In some
departments that need is most marked"
Can YOU name specific official a
specific department or some specific act
as an example Of the incfticiency which
you charge" demanded Mr.. Pollock
II decline 10 be drawn into personaN-
ties" replied DR.. Anderson
II did not ask you If you will name
them. Can you-could you name them
II you wanted to-
III | say ! can. then YOU will ask
me 10 name them therefore. decline
20 answer that question:" DR.. Ander-
son countered
SAYS HE HAS KNOWLEDGE
OF SPECIFIC INEFFICIENCYI
Il ask you. DR.. Anderson. have you
any knowledge of facts which. if you
chose TO disclose them. would show tn
efficiency on the part Of specific Of
hcials or departments Of this govern
mcn,:' persisted Mr. Pollock.
Il have" answered DR.. Anderson.
Then, sir. YOU owe i, to this com
mit,ee, charged with the task of
evolving 1t new charter for The city
designed TO eliminate the disabilities
from which the city is now suffering
TO lay this information before IT." Mr.
Chairman" Mr.. Pollock turned excitcdly
TO the presiding officer, Il move that
this committee request DR.. Anderson 20
name specifically the instances OF de-
fcctivc government and inefficient ad-
edge"
ANDERSON TURNS
BROADsIDE on POLLOCK
AT this Or. Anderson turned sharply
upon his ins!stent questioncr with a
broadsde of his own.
81 will not be drawn into making
charges against any person. Mr. Pol
lock, so you may as well spare your
self the trouble not.cc that you
came out in this mornings paper with
a charter reform plan OF your own
which differs radically from the plan
proposed by the Civic Association. 1t
is for you, member of the City
Council 10 tell this committee wherein
your present government fails to meet
the citys requirements and how your
plan OF reform will eradicate the evils
from which the city is now suffering
and what those evils are"
The crowded Council chamber broke
into storm of applause. Members
OF the Civic Association seated outside
the railing gave their approval to their
champions reply. Chairman Jones
raped for order and Mr.. Pollock took
the floor with scathing answer.
POLLOCK SAYS HE WILL TELL OF
al the proper time / shall tell this
committee what l know about the
shortcomings OF this government which
] have studied intimately for twenty
years." spoke the Councilman from
Madison. Il shall not hide behind tho
suggestion that have information in
my possession which I could disclose.
but Will not. DIR. Anderson comes be-
whit ipc
he possesses information about Of
fcials and departments which. II he
wero minded to disclose them. would
show their delinquency and the need
for some form of correction. II that
is the spirit In which the Civic Asso-
citation proposes to cooperate with
this committee, then the sooner We
wash our hands of that association
the better. cannot belieye. however,
that DR.. Anderson's attitude is the at
titude OF the association which has
honorcd him with so important part
of Its work.
POLLOCK PROMISES TO
REVEAL SHORTCOMINGS
"Mr. Chairman. am amazed at this
Tentleman's attitude. He admits to
this committee that he possesses def
mite and specific information about
weaknesses in our present government
and yet he refuses to disclose this in
formation TO a committee of his fellow
citizens charged by the Council with
the duty of drawing up n new form of
government which shall be better than
the old.
II have specific knowledge OF short
cominEs in our present government. but
am not Tonight presenting my views
to this committee. Tonight we are
hearing from the Civic Association
When the time comes for me to lay my
information before the committee ri
shall do so without attempting to
dodge the responsibility, and l shall
snare neither friend nor foe"