Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-20
WELFARE WORKERS WANT
HAND IN CHARTER WORK
Seek Representation on Special Conn
mittec Provided in Jones
Resolution.
CITY's SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Provision to BE Made for Public
Works and Public Safety-Scck
Also Provision for Public Welfare.
Rev. w. A. Cooper Outlines Views.

I'm choosing tho citizens committee.
which. in conjunction with special
committee of the City Council. will
consider needed reform in the city
charter. / deem it of the utmost i'm
portancc that one at least of those
citizens shall represent that portion Of
inc citizenship which has addressed
itself particularly TO the solution of
Richmond's social problems and to the
formulation of plans for uplifting it's
citizens and the betterrnent Of living
conditions. This is n very vital Dues
ton, and touches the city at every
angle. No charter could be the best
charter nor adequately meet the urgent
demands of present conditions that did
not incorporate some OF the serious
thought of the social service workers
OF the city along this line, who are
naturally in close touch with the sit
uation, and make some provision for a
more efficient. more husinesslike method
OF carrying on this most important
work.
This is the opinion Of Rev. W. A.
Cooper, president of the Social Service
Federation of Richmond, EXPRESSED YES
terday in a discussion of the Jones
resolution. introduced' in the City Coun-
Gil having for It's object the framing
or new city charter, under which
Rlchmond may have more efficient
administration of the city government
Inc resolution provides that Joint
commission, made up from Il commit
tee OF nine selected from the Council
and like committee from the general
citizenship. shall make q careful study
of existing conditions, find out what
Richmond needs that will make for
better municipal government and draw
up the best possible charter to be pre-
sented to the Legislature this winter
WOULD OPEN UP FREER
CHANNELS OF USEFULNESS
The movement for this new charter
Mr.. Cooper says, is the direct result
OF an almost universal conviction that.
II Richmond is TO grow greater and
become better place in which to live.
1t is necessary to provide for n eoy-
eminent which shall open up new and
frecr channels of usefulness, SO tina.
the city may expand in all directions
and become more able to grapple with
the ever present problems the solution
OF which vitality affect her welfare. No
problem which presents itself SAYS Mr.
cooper, is or greater or more far
reaching Importance than the social
problem in all it's phases. Every citi-
zen must be deeply interested in q
purer, more wholesome, more sanitary
city. But. he says, the average citizen
has not given the subject very deem
thought. He is n layman in the field.
and. as such, cannot be as we'll fitted
10 suggest Legislation bearing on the
work as one who has given it life
long study.
Mr.. Cooper is of the opinion that the
proposed charter should provide for a
board of public welfare. whose duties
should be to see after the Juvenile
Court. 10 provide for a City Home
tuberculosis camps, public baths. a
home for feeble minded women, play
grounds. swimming pools. a school for
incorrigibles. city farm, labor bureau,
and other institutions OF like character:
to make study of housing conditions.
the high cost OF living. the causes of
poverty, etc, and TO supervise moving
pictures. dance halls, all public amuse-
ments. and charitable institutions re-
ce!ving aid from the city
To provide adequately in the charter
for work of this character. Mr.. Cooper
believes there should be one or more
men familiar with social service work
on the special committee. There is no
doubt. he said, that the business in
terests will be represented, that or
ganized labor will be represented, there
works and for public safety He is
anxious also that adequate provision
be made for public welfare.