The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-30
EASLEY PRESIDENT

CONTINUED From First Page.)
in the activities of the city govern
ment
Speeches were made by DR.. .. r..
Anderson. OF Richmond, and Robert
s. Binkerd, of New York. secretary
OF the City Club of that city.
The meeting was called 10 order ny
President Stuart Mcclure. in a short
speech OF welcome. Reports were
1nade by wyndham r. Meredith,
chairman of the committee on amend
Hnents to the constitution: by John
stuart Bryan, chairman of the COM
kmittee on recommendations; by Mr..
Meredith. chairman of the committee
on resolutions. and by F.. L. Bemiss.
chairman OF the committee on nonin-
atoms The reports were unanimous
~ adopted. and tho nominations as
presented by Mr.. Bemiss were accept
ed. elections following.
John c. Easley was chosen TO sue
reed DR. Mcclure as president. He
said he would accept the honor
with the distinct understanding that
he would have the support and CO.
operation of all members He said
yhe would rely upon them under all
DT. SNGfufJSoh tIAAAS
Upon taking the chair. President
Easley introduced DR.. D. r. Anderson.
who spoke on What the Association
Had Done During Its First Year"
The address was most interesting
and was heartily applauded.
He said the association had accom-
piished much, had met with some OBJ
stacies, but that had II not been fol
the activity OF the members there
wwlld not now ne in existence the
amended charter. which goes Ions
way toward better government He
praised the men who have been active
in the work OF the association for the
results accomplished,
We have been called fanatics, book.
men. scholastics, idealists, and given
/ titles of ridicuie,' said the speaker
LIT will be observed, however. that
the tist-ef~ officers and the board e1
/ directors. represents the real con-
/ structive men of brains OF the city
! They come from every classroom
the ca pitalist to the worktngman
They represent the moral, spiritual
land constructive elements OF the city
They have given their time and
money. and energy for the good OF
the community. and they will continue
! TO do so. with increased enthusiasts SIN. '
I Modern Government
! The association has spread informa-
ton of modern government. has dis
cussed the charter and progressive
measures 1t has disseminated knowl-
edge about what government Is and
what ii should be. There IL new
,spirit In Richmond. and increased in
terest in government. said the speaker
| Modern government arises through
simplicity. publicity and responsible
ffxys "a Att
! citation Is responsible for the con-
,structive part of the present charter
But this Is none too good for our
city. The best Is Whit we want"
| He dwelt at some length upon the
fundamental duty of every man and
declared that the association would
at once start campaign Of instruc-
ton. 80 that every man might see
why he should become factor in the
government by qualifying himself to
vote.
Persistent Work Required.
Mr.. Binkerd in opening said ne
was a plain man OF affairs and those
affairs were municipal. He said that
modern government could only be had
| by hard work and persistence. The
old superstition that the least govern
ms2t was the best, had no hold in
these days The more the masses OF
people are interested in the govern
| ment the better 1t becomes Every
/ man should feel himself as a part OF
tho government. and do all in his
power to improve every factor Of the
government Successful city govern
ment comes from persistent activity
on the part of the people.
Crime has decreased in one-thfrd
OF the cities In the United States, and
the health rate Is lower In half the
cities This Is due largely to gen.
eral interest in government, and in
creased knowledge Of the needs OF
the people. with carefully studied ways
and means for the conduct of the gov
sernment
The proper distribution of food sup
plies can bring about better living
than any tariff tinkering that might
be started. 1t costs the people of
New York ffty-nve cents out of every
dollar for the distribution OF Its food
stuffs, after they reach the city. Con-
servation of the distribution system ia
what brings prices down. Muntct-
palities should organize . system by
which unnecessary transfers and
transportation may be eliminated.
Good Old School Days
Ninety per cent Of the children who
so to the high schools go on false
hypothesis. They have college in view.
but a small percentage set there. The
others go out into life-business or
trade. They start wrong. said the
speaker. and few ever reach their
goal.
To wage succes3fui war on crime,
want. disease, there must be co-ordin-
ate efforts.
The responsibility ID too much d.
Tided, = said tia speak sr. It here u
|the fear Of granting sufacient power.
The city a . complete crsanisation,
3 sss| g =