The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-01


Early last year the Chamber On
commerce of the City of norfolk ap-
pointed a committee composed OF
number of its most careful. conserve
tive and representative business men
to delve deeply into the question OF
municipal government.
Neither time. pains nor expense
were spared by the committee to as
certain all necessary facts and to IN
yestigate to the fullest extent the
various forms Of city government now
being tried Throughout the United
States.
Recently the work of the committee
was completed, and its report was
made to the Norfolk Chamber.
In this report the City Manager
system. SO successfully inaugurated
by the City of staunton. Is unquali-
dsdly endorsed
Richmond is so vitality interested in
MI that pertains to improved munich
pal government that The Nirginian
presents in full the very carefully pre-
pared report of the Norfolk commit
tee. The report follows:
Text OF Report
For some years past the convic-
tion has been gaining ground among
the people OF Norfolk that the city
should have a more simple and bus
iness-iike form of government. Short
~ after it's organization. the Cham
Der OF Commerce took congizance OF
this need and has ever since been
consistently working for charter re-
form.
The first step in this direction was
taken when President Royster, pur-
suant to resolution OF the Board.
adopted February II. 1914. appoint
cd the Special Optional Charter Act
Committee. composed of Fl. l.. Low
enberg. chairman. John r. Burke,
Harvey L. Wilson, Thomas III. VIII
cox and j. II. Golfer. This commit
tee, after giving due consideration to
the subject, reported to the board
in special aession on February -.
1914. to the effect that in the opinion
Of the committee the city should pro-
cssd slowly and only after careful
study, In its effort TO secure a new
form OF government under the So
called Optional Charter Bill, then
pending In the Legislature, known as
SENATE Bill No. 2oi. The report
Yves accepted and approved.
On March IS. 1914. the president.
on motion. was authorized 10 appoint
q committee of seven TO study the
various forms OF city governments pro-
vlded by the Optional Charter Act.
uassed at the then recent session OF
the LEGISLATURE. This committee was
IL be known as the Charter Commits
sion. and it was contemplated that
Ii should be composed OF members
al the Chamber of Commerce VINO
were known TO be earnestly interest
ed in the city's welfare.
Pursuant TO this resolution res
ident Royster appointed as members
81 the Charter Commission: II. IL
Rumble, chairman; John b, Jenkins,
walter n. Taylor, r. w. Peatross.
Thomas II. wilcox. W. w. Robertson
ara L. s. southgatA. This commits
adon met and organised April ., 1914
nd Immediately began tts work OF M
Vestigatton.
Afsar two months careful seuoy OF
NE subject. this coa.l mission on June =
fai4. reported to the board OF direc-
EARS of the Chamber OF Commerce.
nat. in its opinion, ''The City OF Nor
folk should obtain q new charter,
apecfaily drawn for her ar adapted
a hsr needs. rather than 10 proceed
,snder the so-calied Optional Charter
Ict." The grounds OF objection to
the latter course were set out IN de-
fatl in the report. Upon ding or this
rannrt. the commission was directed
a continue Its work. The course
subssQuentiy pursued IL set out IN
INA report OF this commission, nled
April eth, 1915, as follows:
ssTo the Board of Directors OF the
chamber OF Commerce Of norfolk.
Va
(3eNtlemen:
The undersigned members OF the
Charter Commission appointed oy inc
nrrsiaent Of the Chamber of Conn
4 1nerce. beg leave to report ~ TOT
lows: $40
n June. 1914. this committee report
"a that In its opinion the LILY OF
Norfolk should obtain a new chartsE'
erecially drawn for her. rather tnan
Is proceed to change her form OF gov.
ernment under the so-called OpuonaI
Charter Act: and stated the grounds
II its objections to the latter course.
yra then offered. should II meet your
approval, to proceed to draft a CHAR
ter to be submitted to you. ana II
approved, to be recommended by the
chamber of Commerce TO the people
~ Norfolk; such charter. OF course.
~ be merely advisory.
Having been instructed by your
body to proceed Win th's Wofh. NV
non1unftsee continued its investtga-
Tons. and a. result unanimously de-
etded 10 recommend the City Man
arer Form OF Government A sub
rommittee was appointed TO draft
inch charter and proceeded with rs
work. Meantime, the City Council
Ma taken up the question OF new
form OF government. Your commit.
fee was invited TO attend meetings o.
fhe Council Committee having tne
natter in charge Several members
"A the committee attended certain
a these meetings and stated iuliy
the views OF this committee as nere,h
expressed and as previously reported
After considering the matter TOT
some time. the Council ordered petit
ions to be prepared for three diner
mt forms OF government. under the
Optional Charter Act, and these peti-
lions. we understand. are about 10
~ presented to the people for sigma
lures.
II would scarcely seem probable
that the people. without previous dis
ruussion. either through the press or
II public gatherings. will be SUN