Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-12
GLASGOW FAvORS
NEW CITY CHARTER
Conditions in Richmond Danger
Gus and Hurniliating,
Says Expert.
EXPLAINS GAS LEASE VIEWS
City Must Demonstrate It's Ca
pacity to Administer Water,
Fire and Police Service.

Arthur Glasgow. a noted consulting
gas engineer OF London, and 4 former
Richmonder. in an address last night
before the Rotary Club In the rooms
OF the Business Mems Club. commented
upon the incniciency Of the present
Richmond charter, and recommended
that a petition be presented to the next
General Assembly with the view of
having the State Constitution go
amended as TO allow the operation OF
new charter. which should remove
the limitations that, he said. locked
and barred the doors against obtain
ing the best men for the most efficient
administration Of tho city.
In advocating change in the pres
cnt charter, Mr. Glasgow said that he
had absolutely no ak to grind, but that
there were three reasons for believing
that he might he Of some service in
helping to launch the movement for
better municipal government. The first
reason. he said, was that he had plenty
os time a his disposal, being detained
here indefinitely because Of sickness in
his family; the second Is that he is,
perhaps. the only citizen OF Richmond
who understands the gas business, and
the third is that. having built gas
works for hundreds OF towns and In
foreign lands, thereby coming in init
mate contact with their methods and
practices. he can speak from wide
knowledge of we'll governed municipali-
ties.
NEEDS DROAD-GAUGED MAN
OF WIDE. EXPERIENCE
Mr.. Glasgow said that the man called
to assume the reins OF government
under the new charter that he proposes
should, II possible. combine legal with
wide business training, but. above all.
he should be n broad -gaugcd man-one
who would be we'll able TO run the
affairs Of the city rpon sound busi-
ness basis. The speaker said that it
would be the biggest position 10 which
any Virginian might aspire. and the
man who made the administration Of
Richmond unqualified success would
not only win lasting rcnown in his ma
tive State but would become national
figure we'll.
The address was, in part. as fol-
lows:
was highly gratiHed by the cordial
Endorsement which all of our papers
gave TO the suggestions / made las,
week TO the Business Mems Club But
in one respect. evidently failed TO cx-
press myself clearly, and | shall take
this opportunity TO set myself straight
am reported TO have said 81 am
opposed to leasing the Gas Works to
private corporation and the transfer
Of a distinctly municipal enterprise to
the control OF an outside organization"
This is not my view am opposed at
the present juncture, 10 a lease of the
Gas Works, but not in the least for
the reason above suggested
WOULD NOT ADVISE CITY
TO ENTER GAS BUSINESS
the Administrative Board, dated Novem-
ber i. 1918:
't.thically, there is some doubt If a
municipality is right In undertaking
the gas supply. | should be inclined to
say No. except for the fact that the
gas service requires the use of the pub
lie streets. The reason I should say
NO is. in the first place, because gas
is not public necessity, like water and
sewerage. but competitive business
subject to all the vicissitudcs OF compe-
tit!on. including obsolescencc. and, sec
ondly, because you pledge the finan-
cial credit OF all of the people to an
enterprise which serves only portion
If the people"
In the case OF health. fire, police.
wGter and sewerage the welfare Of the
whsle community is at stake. 1t is Just
as Nsscntial to me that my ncighbor
should enjoy an adequate water supply
as that should do so. His health and
fire protection is as important 10 me
as my own. But il does not concern
me in the least whether he uses gas
electricity, lamps or candles or goes
to bed at dark / have. therefore,
very good case indeed when de-
cline to engage in the business Of
supplying him with any of these op-
Honal convcniences and refer him to
properly regulated private enterprise.
SO much for the ethical side of mu-
nicpal trading. In this country. where
the incnlciemey nf municipal admins
tration is byword. the practical side
is far less encouraging; in fact, it Is
prohibitive.
CONDITIONS IN RICHMOND
DANGEROUS AND IIUMILIATINC:
Therefore. at the present time, / am
abs ,tey opposed to American cities
und taking gas, electricity or trac-
tiod ervices.
s time enough to consider such
bu{ esses when we have demonstrated
out capacity to administer the funda-
mental public necessities, such as
water fire and police-services which
are dangerous and humiliating in Rich
mond to-day
But the Richmond gas supply now
presents n snecial issue, involving, not
only our goC3 name. but the broadest
welfare of ou9gcommunty. We already
own the Gas Works. and have owned
them for nearly sixty-fvc years; but
we have never really tried to run them.
After all this period of ownership, shall
We not give them trial before parting
with them? Or shall we confess our
selves incompetent without an effort?
Yet Richmond has produced q number