Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-31
ANDERSON ANSWERS
CRITICISMS OF SURVEY
Tells VIII, Expert Help Shouid &c
Engaged to Carry IN
Work.
LOCAL MEN CANNOT GIVE TIME
Docs Not Favor Any Step Looking
Ia Private Control Of Public Utili-
ties - Wants Improved Service
Without Change i'm Management.


Without Change i'm Management.
Answering various criticisms aud
objections to tho proposed survey of
tn" muni.ipal government recommends
81 ly tho civic Association to hc mad"
under tho auspices "f the New York
Bureau Of Municipal Research I,r. H.
Il. Anderson, secretary 1T Tho civic AS
N"''a'l"n has prepared tho following
statement:
Tho majority cf our citizens who
have expressed themselves arc very
favorable 10 tho proposed ndmtuistra-
tive survey NJ - matter or fact. |
Il" not recall hcariuc amy ono express
= belief that tho idea vas not good
on" - tha, such survey was not
desirable in Richmond
There scc,:1s to hc q general con-
scusus of opinion that IN tho present
unfortunate condition OF tho finances
Of Ei"hm"nd. with pressing needs and
tho prospect Of Increased tax burdens.
= systematic study If our revenue. cx-
rcuditurcs and manner of administra-
ton would hc advisable. Tho only OH
lc"tions which have heard raised arc
directed not At tho idea If tho survey
but At certain features supposed to hc
connected with III" particular plan
suggested for Richmond,
COST DETERMINED ny
ENTENT or WORK
\ few have said that they are in
favor ~ the survey. hut they fcar Tho
charge suggested for Richmond is rath-
or high. With this view. We arc i'm
sympathy 7" tho extent that We would
oppose any charge by any ono loss
iarorahl" I" Ttichmond than Ia other
communities. However,. tho cost Of tho
proposed survey is determined by tho
extent Of the work required. The
charge IS on cost basis: for which
- mat AL, 49, =.
"f the bureau mentioned in connection
with this enterprise. hut tho tcsti-
m"nr Of those for whom. like Mayor
Mitchell. of New York, the bureau has
worked.
The sum OF 10000 is the suggested
"n's.ac limit for a complete survey Of
an the activities nf the city's gov
crnmcnt " II actually cost less. VIC
would pay less. as We would if tho
city did not desire a survey Of All lis
DEPARTMENTS.
The fact that certain cities have Dc
Slrrd only preliminary or partial sur
NcSS explains the low figures quoted
some 81 our papers. In amy case If
) en- a survey should he AS protit,bl,
TO Us as II has been To other cities
" would certainly lie well worth $40
W. II san Francisco the report of
me survey suggested improvements for
SAVING OF S300.o m the dcpartmcut
Of public works alone
Local BUSINESS MEN
CANNOT GIVE TIME:
ono or two friends Of tho lido, ar
tHe survey have said that tho worl,
could as well he done by local talcn,
or even 10y tho voluntary work of busi-
heSs men. This suggestion is very
prH'ScWortHS. No one has !; bcttnr
opinion than Of local talent" or
FOCAL business men-wno. nv tho way
seem 7" bc strong for the survey IN
'he manner proposed by the civic AS
Sociaiiou. Eut il does not seem ia
me that - painstakins and laborious
examination Of all the activities Of
our government viii be made hy Tho
personal and voluntary work Of husi
ness men
~ sufficient number frl, them,
serves iamiiiar with The processes OF
government and acquainted with rho
h''h"ds found best in the other cities
81 the country on Europc "a Jo ~,
work, it NIGH, hc doubted whe,hn-
'hcN would feel disposed TO surrender
'hel1 ordinary occupat tons for the
weeks or months Of continuous l,hor
''"nifcd. For lie, il not he supposed
'h"t this thing can lie done bv :, few
Gentlemen on holiday or hv a few
'".a"rE VISITS to the city Hall OF
course. men in Richmond could he ON
moved who are skilled in various n,h
nc activities To look into many matters
ADV ANIAGE or EXPERIENCE
GAINED ~ OTHER CITIES
i'h', IN All robahiiity. could ", tind
INC men who are sufficiently cypcrt i,
w me processes OF government to give
10 their report authority in every nold
'ae cost tor their employment would
,NN"'" 'hc hSurc suggested by a
"hll"nthropic bureau. When the In
- mi,