Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-15
City Survey Needed

+ Richmond is going TO emulate the simple
l little ostrich. who knew it all" and then
carry the smile further by sticking its head
in the sand. there is small use Of talking
about city surveys. or improved methods of
public service, or new charters. or anything
OF that sort. If ours is the last word in city
government. inca pablo of Improvement he
cause ii already expresses the highest wisdom.
then we are quite right to be contented. We
may even be jubilant and. shifting a re-
sounding chest, praise God we are not as
other men.
However. the citizens Of Richmond, what
ever be the fact as to the City Hall. are un-
likely to display this degree of credulity.
There are problems. perhaps. peculiar to
Richmond. but they are few. and in the broad
sense cur difficulties are those with which
other municipalities have struggled. Prog
ress in municipal government is not a matter
Of divine inspiration. but Of human expert
ence. Cities learn and advance. not only
through their own successes and failures, but.
it. they are wise. through the successes and
failures Of others.
The New York Bureau Of Municipal Re-
search is merely Il device for placing at the
disposition of one city the knowledge Of prin-
c,ples and methods which has been acquired
elsewhere. There is nothing mysterious
about it. nor is there anything patronizing
or understanding III its attitude. 1t starts its
invest! CATION with no assumptions Of either
graft or wasta. but with a clear and open
mind. 1t proceeds on the theory that officers
OF government are anxious 10 acquire tho
greatest possible efficiency and obtain. for
the expenditure OF public money, the hest
posSibl, results.
y survey by such an ORGANIZATIONS trained
experts. who have made similar surveys in
scores of American cities. would he of the
largest advantage here. 1t would show us
where VIC are deficient and i'm what manner
deficiencies might be romedied 1t would
point out errors Of organization and Of
method. II would reveal new sources Of
revenue. 1t would Indicate how the quantity
Of public service might lie increased and the
quality bcttorcd. without onlargiug appro-
priations.
Riclmond's financial problem has boon
complicated tremendously by the recent an
neNations of new territory. The city has ac-
CURED. through these additions TO it's arca.
a whole set OF new needs and "a new popula-
ton. clamorouS for recognition. An i'm
prorcnent plan which Suficcd for a denselv
peopled area OF eight square miles viii not
serve a relatively thiuly pcoplcd area OF
twenty-siX square miles.
The city is accommodating q deficit. which
soon or late must he absorbed in new bond
issues. II al a cost of $40. 600 We can learn
how TO do public work for less money. or
moro work for the same money. il, will he
on" Of the best investments Richmond has
ever made. Norfolk welcomed such a survey
as is proposed here. and the municipal gov
eminent provided the money to paw for H.
III Is not going ia he said OF Richmond. We
hope. that, mingled with a misguided self
Sutiiclency, il shows Il larger jealousy and a
weaker vision than its sister city by the sea.
Norway having dehcd Germany. according