Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-30
CHARTER CHANGERS
FIGHT SHY OF SURVEY
Civic Association Offers to Pay Bill,
but Committee Defers
Action.
WANT NCRETE OFFER"
May Ask Other Agencies TO Bid on
Municipal Survcy--FurtI,er Meet
ings May Be Deferred Until Coun-
ell Provides Official Stenographer.

In order TO allow the Bureau of Mu-
nicipal Research OF New York to sub
mi, concrete proposition setting forth
in detail Just what II intends to give
10 Richmond should $4,000 he APP
propriated for survey, the Council
Committee on Charter Change last
night deferred action on the Jones
resolution looking toward a survey of
all departments in the city government
until a date TO he announced later.
Councilman Morgan r. Mills. Of JEFF
ferson Ward. suggested that no fur
ther meetings of the committee be
held until an official stenoErapher. can
he provided to take ii verbatim report
of ali proceedings. There will be
many oral statements made" said Mr..
Mills. which should be made a part
OF the committees permanent record
and for the Information and guidance
OF the members"
Nearly 200 spectators. including
members OF the Civic Association. OF
the Administrative Board. Councilmcn
and other city officials and weli-known
business and professional men, were
present.
Disappointment at the failure OF the
committee to take any action. espc-
cially after John c. Easlcy. president
of the Civic Association, pledged that
organization to supply $4,000. If the
Council would not. was manifest when
the meeting was over.
CIVIC ASSOCIATION Is
WILLING TO PAY TIL; RILL
The Civic Association has already
obtained. il is said. by popular sub
scription. $4,000 TO dcfray the cost OF
the survey in case the funds arc not
provided by Council. Mr.. Easley as
sured the committee that it was tho
purpose OF the association to CO.
operate with the committee.
II was declared by Mr.. Mills that
other organizations besides the Bureau
OF Municipal Research wished to put
in bids TO make the survey. and that
he. individually and as member Of
the committee. wished to know which
body OF experts would give Richmond
the best results for the $4,000 should
it be decided to appropriate the money.
Councilman Carter &. Jones. OF Madi-
son Ward. patron of the resolution
before the committee. declared that
when he offered the measure he WAS
we'll aware Of the hnancia. condition
" tlie CltS Dul lie
the appropriation as being OF an
emergency nature. The people Of the
city have been aroused and they want
a survey" said Mr.. Jones. Il consider
that when the people are aroused an
emergency exists.
In response to a question from Al
derman Fuller, a member of the COM
mttee. Mr.. Jones said that the Bureau
Of Municipal Research employed ex-
pcrts in municipal affairs. IT the
bureau sends man down here to go
over our Gas Department" he declared
''he won't be 4 butcher"
EAsLEY TELLS WHY
SURVEY ~ NEEDED
Il have been frequently asked" said
Mr. Easley. why we want survey
have replied that the city is running
soo0.I00 behind annually: that our
water supply Is insufficient and we are
in danger OF having our insurance
deal of unimproved territory which is
sadly in need OF improvements to pro-
vide better housing conditions for the
working classes. and the city OF Rich
mond. according to the last budget. had
no money to spend on these things. II.
this is not sufficient answer. then l am
at loss to know what is
IT am not here to say that our ,aScs
ought to be or. ought not to be in
CONTINUED on Second PaEe)