The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-17
.cOMNIIlEE fAv6RS
AID TO CITY ATTORNEY
Recommends Second Assistant i'm Of
flee OF Legal Adviser of City
Government
FIX FINES FOR spEEDERs
City Employees. Incapacitatcd by H.
ness or injury, May Receive Pay
When Absent From Duty.

The Ordinance Cor. n,ittec last
night adopted a resolution providing
Tor second assistant city attorney. at
the salary or 81, 600 "a year, as rec-
commended by City Attorney Pollard
and the resolution will be forwarded
TO City Council.
In making his recommendation Mr.
Pollard stated that the business OF
the city attorneys office had greatly
increased on account of recent an
nexation and by virtue of the changes
In the tax laws and that the city
would require constant attendance
upon the sessions Of the Legislature
by its city attorney.
He handed A Assistant City Attorney
Anderson many compliments, stating
that he was most able man in the
office and was doing splendid work
for the city He said the accunula-
ton OF work. however. necessitated
the presence of another man, pointing
out that in many Instances the city
has to engage the services OF outside
men, whose fees would more than
cover the salary or the proposed as
sistant.
Some discussion on the proposition
was INDUCED in by Messrs Paul and
Christian. The latter wished the
salaries Of the first and the proposed
second assistants TO he $4,000 and
$4,000. respectively. as had been sug-
gested by Mr.. Pollard. Mr.. Paul,
while agreeing with the statement of
Mr.. Pollard that another assistant
was necessary. did not think it neces-
sary at this time to increase the salary
OF the first assistant. Mr.. Christian
moved to increase the salary, but on
a tie vote his amendment to the
original ordinance was defeated.
The ordinance Was f1nally adopted,
fixing the salaries at $4,000 and
$4,000, respectively.
Fines For Speeding.
An ordinance of considerable i'm
portance in relation To the imposition
Of fines for automobile speeding, as
prepared by Councilman Jefferson
Powers, was adopted.
This ordinance fixes the sum Of s25
as the fine for the first offense. $50
for the second and a revocation OF
license for the third offense.
In discussing this ordinance City
Attorney Pollard stated that the State
law on the question provides that
cities may regulate traffic to suit
themselves, and that such an ordi-
nance would not conflict with State
laws, and could be enforced.
The object of the ordinance, as
stated by Mr.. Powers. was to give
the city the right to collect such fines
and TO obviate the necessity felt by
those fined of appealing from the de-
cisiou of the justice OF Police Court,
who imposed his fines under State
laws, and which fines. on appeal. are
almost universally reduced consider
ably by juries In the Hu-tings Court.
Under this ordinance third con-
victton for speeding necessitates a
revocation of the license Of the au-
toist.
1T will. to nay mind said Mr..
Powers. when he first introduced the
ordinance, have much to do with
the curtailment of the speeding habit,
thereby increasing the safety of our
citizens"
An ordinance designed to place a
limit upon the weight of material
placed OR stored In buildings was
tabled TO hear from the building in
spector. The idea is to provide safety
to walls and floors of buildings by
placing a limit upon the weight of
material.
Sick Employees Ma. Get Pay.
After some discussion, resolution
suggested by the Administrative
Board. giving that body the right to-
continue the pay of city employees who
may be absent from duty during ILL.,
ness or injury, was adopted. The or
dinance permits the board to deal
with individual cases according TO
merit.
A resolution asking the Atlantic
Coast Line and the Norfolk and West
ern Railroad Companies to provide
convenient traffic facilities between
Richmond and Hopewell was tabled
when 1t was stated that the two COM
panies were already working upon
such q proposition.
Councilman Jesse 4. Ladd was
given a seat in the committee, har-
ing succeeded Councilman Jones. who
has been elevated to the Finance
Committee, and Councilman Edgar H.
Ferguson was elected subchairman of
the committee.
Both gentlemen responded grace
fully to the remarks made by men,
bers of the committee.
My principle duty" said Mr. Fer
gusson. will be to facilitate the bust
ness of the committee whenever |
may be called upon to preside
In the absence of Chairman Gunst
last night, Mr. FERGUSON occupied the
chair Those present were: Messrs.
Ferguson. Paul. Christian, Welsh,
Cheatwood and Ladd