Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-21
Patience Reaching Its Limit

Patience Reaching It's Limit
THURSDAY nights meeting of the Council
Committee on Charter Changes. although
it resulted in further delay in the plans for
civic survey, developed no reason for that
delay. 1t developed on the contrary. many
reasons for prompt action by the committee.
by Council and by the experts by whom the
survey will be made
The point The imes-Dispatch has made
that the existence Of state of war supplies
an additional and forceful argument in behalf
Of the survey-was stressed and amplifed at
the meeting 1t really requires no argument.
When individuals and big corporations alike
study expenditures and practice economies
and strive to attain new efficiences, the duty
Of the city government is plain.
That the New York Bureau Of Municipal
Research Is best equipped TO make the survey
is equally plain. 1t has staff experts,
broadly comprehensive organization and an
intimate acquaintance with conditions in
scores OF American cities. It's men have
studied municipal progress and methods
abroad AS we'll as in this country. 1t will
bring to Richmond these invaluable stores of
knowledge and experience. collected at large
expenditure of time, effort and money.
For the expenses Of a survey conducted by
this bureau. public-spirited men in Richmond.
have subscribed the whole amount. II the
city is unable to make an appropriation. the
survey will cost the city government nothing
That the people want this survey is proved
every time an occasion presents itself and
was proved again by the crowd which Thurs
day nights meeting attracted to the City Hail.
Richmond has been patient with the evident
reluctance of certain elements in the city gov
eminent to consent to this investigations 1t
has been loath to believe that any motives
save those professed have been at the bottom
OF this reluctance. 1t has consented to de-
lays when 1t could see no reason for delays
But patience has limit Everybody
knows that unless the survey Is completed
within the next few months it will be i'm
possible TO lay its results before the next
General Assembly and obtain the legislative
relief that may be shown TO be necessary
Everybody knows that delay benefits only
those who are opposed to substantial changes
in governmental form. If action can be de-
ferred until the session of the General AS
sembly is near at hand it will e impossible
to frame a city charter and conduct the
educational campaign necessary TO obtain
favorable consideration.
II may be- Of course that the survey will
indicate no need Of substantial changes 1t
may be that the investigation will vindicate
the oft-repeated assertion that Richmond is
the best and most economically governed city
between the Atlantic and the Pacific In that
event there will be demand for new
charter, and the rest of us will feel that sweet
content with everything which Is that now
pervades the City Hall
But Richmond wants the survey 1t wants
10 have It's doubts dispeled 1t wants either
firm foundation for its faith or an unassail-
able groundwork of criticism. II wants 10
be shown, in other words. and it wants to be
shown in time TO have the process produce
results.
The Committee Charter Changes has
considered" this matter just about long
enough. II should reach a decision. one way
or the other The people have RICH, TO de-
mand, and do demand, that their reasonable
and proper request be acted on by those to
whom they have confided their government.
One reason for hoping Maryland's soldiers
VIII come and help us police Virginia is that
they would bring with them one of the most