The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-16
MUCH DIVERSITY
tContinned From First Pa9e. D

forms OF government. such as that OF
Cleveland where the Council and the
Mayor control affairs, that of Pitts
burg, where similar conditions pre-
vail: that of Des Moines, Toronto. Day
ton and other cities. These with the
charter Of Richmond will be fully
studied and digested by the members
of the committee. so that some tam
Chile plan may be pursued in the
search for better city plan than that
now prevailing.
In addition TO this plan or at least
series of suggestions, submitted by
Chairman Jones, will he considered.
Clerk Mcdowell was requested to get
into communication with the various
city officials all over the country and
secure data, including the charters as
well as the city reports, and TO have
q sufficient number of. copies printed.
together with the charter of Rich
rnonj. and the paper submitted az
nucleus by Mr.. Jones. so that full
consideration might be given every
phase OF the great question. These
are 10 be ready before Chairman
Jones Calls the committee together for
its next melting.
Valuable suggestions were made by
Assistant City Attorney Anderson. He
read the laws leading up to the pres
tftA SnoNth lt&h ibE EDtfl~
mittee hal the right to either formu-
late a new charter. or new form of
government, which would have TO be
submitted to the people before it may
be sent to the Legislature; or may
amend the present charter. which
amendments might be acted upon by
CITY Council without reference to the
Legislature or TO the people
Mr.. Pollock and Mr. Meredith were
strong on the amendment idea. Mr..
Fuller wanted TO have some one point
out the reasons for change in the
present form. Mr.. Wallerstein felt
that the committee having been APP
pointed by Council 10 look into the
matter, might be fully able to do so.
without the assistance, specifically, of
ether citizens with suggestions. as
Council evidently saw there might be
room for changes Mr. Bemiss
4hopghf II would be good to look fully
- ;hc UP rious charters of other
titles. and derive as much benefit as
B j. ssesa. nle 'front.', them Mr.. Pollard was
possible: Mr.. Peters and Mr. Adams
veterans in municipal government
wanted the widest scope for informa-
sfion, Mr.. Radcliffe sought information
and time in which to digest the in
! formation. before definite action were
had. Mr.. Powers sought like informa-
fion. Mr. Disney was in the dark as
@ 10 what steps to take until data had
/. been accumulated by the clerk.
IT was the sense of several that ac-
ton might not be delayed while
others felt care should be taken. that
procedure should he business-like and
Systematic,
IN Mr.. Pollock wanted the committee
TO commit itself TO either a new form
of government or an amended
srharter. He said II would take ten
years to formulate a charter for a
new form Of government. while the
other plan that OF amendments to
.-~he present charter. might be had In
con1paratiyely short time,
Assistant City Attorney Anderson
advised the committee To proceed at
once. without the loss Of a minute, II
IT. wa nted the proposition TO reach the
4 LAgislature next January
- Mr.. Jones paper provides for the
election Of a Mayor by the people.
who would he the head ~ the govern
ment, and have everything TO say,
with a cabinet OF six men. and the APP
pointment of the heads of the depart
ments. and felt that such d govern
menf would be far better than that
now in existence.
No actual work was done. the
h eimpie exchange Of views marking the
ssS1ret meeting. II is likely that the
next meeting will he called by Chair
man Jones within the next ten days.