Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-13

, politics that the re~nctionnry clement
IN its aSht to oostruct the movement
might 90 able to defeat any reform al
the polls. II this could not be broughs
noout. however. the candidates for the
charter commission would have al
and the vote YOU have been conferred
in the same election on those candi-
dates backed by the 'ins."
! Further evidence in the campaign
came out yesterday. when II VAS re-
iterated that one OF the ~canvassers had
stated that the petition was drawn by
John Hirschbcrg. and also that 1t Was
supported by the Civic Association.
COMMISSION MEN
REpUDIATE SIGNATURES
Among the signatures obtained in the
wholesale district Saturday afternoon
by Charles l.. Shepherd. ~payinastcr for
The departments under the .Adniinistra-
tive Board. was ihat OF 4. w. Evans.
y emb OF the board OF directors OF
the CIVIC Association. Realizing that
he had been misled into signing the
paper under q misrepresentation, Mr..
evans Yesterday turned the matter over
TO his father-in-law. Charles T.. Rich
ards. 4 former membe OF the CITY
Council. who made "a tour OF the dis
tric;. securing many names 20 a paper
rspudiatinE the Shepherd petition.
This paper follows;
I'VE. the undersigned citizens and
Taxpayers. realize that in signing
the petition presented 10 US. that we
have thouehtlessly done injury TO the
efforts OF the Civic Association. We
are heartily in favor OF Il change or
charter. IN order that our city may be
given the most modern and business
like system OF government possio!e.
We are opposed 10 any scheme which
z.,. a.. ., or<- -, ~ tina work
whicM has been done by the Civic AS
sociaticn. We now recognize these PC
;i;ions 10 be an effort 10 kill the plans
OF said association. ard to perpetuate
the present expensive and unbuSiness-
like system OF government. Therefore.
we hereby publicly request our names
20 I've taken from said petition"
tSigreGl t.. W. Evans. william NJ.
Luck. Charles y. King. Elder l..
Frost & CO.. ohn \. Ahern, z. Il.
rearman. George +. Robelen. John
y. CrowGer, X. J. Crowder. sam
ue! waIlerstein. William +. Ora
wins. Il. c. Currie & Co., y. p.
over,on and &. III. Robertson.
/ SEES NO OBJECT
EXCEPT TO DELAY
CITY employees wcre busy to-day
circulating tho petitions" Mr.. Richards
said. They were signed by numerous
! III rs Il'tl u = ~ =
posed TO any steps which would delay
the betterment of the city government.
Now the Council already has a COM
mittee which has before il for it's
guidance the best expert testimony
that can be obtained.
What can be the object OF these pc
titions except to delay and finally defeat
tho reform movement. All agree that
city employees arc satisfied with the
present conditions. and 1t is not reason
able to suppo that they would work
to change them"
PRESIDENT EASI.EY
ISSUES STATEMENT
John {. Easlcy. president OF the Civic
Association. issued the folio wins state
ment yesterday:
The object of the Civic Association
is TO secure for Richmond better and
more efficient government. We have,
at our own expense of $4,000 brought
about the survey Of the various depart
ments OF the city government by the
New York Bureau OF Municipal Re
search, who have now made their re-
port. II that report shows need for
Improvement. and there arc those who
wish to cooperate with us in bringing
about reforms. we shall welcome their
support.
wv" want beneficial results not
merely credit for what is done, and II
those in authority recognize the need
for reforms, and want 10 inaugurate
changes that 20 to the root Of the
trouble. then they can rel" upon our
support, but we know OF no friends
who are woriiine surrcptitiously TO aid
US, and want to say TO the public that
those who are now circulating pcti.
tons for p charter-change election
have net taken is into their conf
dcnce."