Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-29
WOULD CUT POLITICS
IN C|TY'S AFFAIRS
Alderman Workman Proposes
Sweeping Changes in Muni-
cipal Government.
PREPARES CONCRETE PLAN
Submits Suggestion to Council
Committee, Which Will Con-
slider 1t at Next Meeting.
PREPARES CONCRETE PLAN

Sweeping changes In the present form
or municipal government which would
practically revolutionize tho admins
tration Of Richmond's affairs arc con-
tanned In a proposed plan worked out
by Alderman William w. Workman, of
Madison Ward. which was sent to John
E. Rose. Jr., chairman Of the Council
Committee Charter Changes. and
made public yesterday. The plan deals
In comprehensive way with every
branch Of the city government. and was
designed for the elimination of politics
and for the Introduction Of the most
efficient practice in the conduct of the
citys business.
To obtain this end Mr. Workman de-
ciares that the executive power of the
city must be placed in the hands and
under the mana cement of men who are
put by law above the control and in
nuence OF politicians or associations
formed especially for political influ-
enccs and by paying them salaries COM
mensurate with their work and fitness
and by securing their tenure in Office
during good behavior
For this purpose he proposes a COM
mission Of three men, the third to he
tho Mayor. Two g these men are to
be selected by the State Senate from
the citizens of Richmond and named
FOR the Office until they resign, or are
removed for any reason. They will act
IN an advisory capacity with the Mayor
VINO is elected every four years. under
Inc provisions of the State Constitu-
non. Should vacancy in this com
mission occur, the Mayor and the re-
naming member will select sue
cessor, and the body will be perpetu-
atcd
FIVE DEPARTMENTS TO
ADMINISTER GOVERNMENT
The city government would be ad-
ministcred by five departments. em
bracing the different branches of mu-
nicipal operation, and each department
would be placed under the control Of an
expert director. These directors are Sc
!cctcd by the commission, and shall re-
port directly to that body, and confer
with ii on all matters affecting their
departments. They will also act in ad-
visory capacity in the direction of the
city's affairs.
These five depa r.ments are outlined
as follows:
j. Department OF Public Affairs: di-
rector OF public affairs-advcrtising,
economies: purchasing Getty ware
houses--stora ge-suppiies); cntertain-
ments: public halls (public buildinEs);
armorics militia-magazines); munich
pal courts (Dolice-juvenile-c JUS
ticc); city attorney: schools (school
board. school buildings); civic better
ment; city jails (rcformatories); rosta!
facilities; libraries; celebrations; pa
rades; holidays.
director of public iinance--city taxes;
auditor; commissioner OF revenue:
bonds; sinking fund; debts; auditing:
accounting; city's banking accounts
and transactions: general financial
management; sidewalk. paving and al
ley assessments; disbursements; con-
tracts: annual and general assess
ments: budget making.
III. Department OF Public Work: d.
rector of public wOrk-streets and al
leys; sewers and culverts; street clean
!ng-garbagc dispoaal; incinerators:
bridges-viaducts; parks; construction;
topography landscaping; engineering:
rivers and streams; docks. wharves,
harbor; canals.
w. Department of Public Safety: di-
rector of public safety-fre: police;
health building inspections; markets.;
almshouses: hospitals. sanatoriums;
cemeteries; food inspections; weights
and measures; Fairgrounds; bacteriol-
ogy: pesthouscs: social bettcrment:
amusements; transportation-haul
street railways-stations: railway sta
tions: steanboats-other boat stations;
nuisances; city farms.
V. Department of Public Utility: di-
rector Of public utility-gas; water;
electricity-eiectrical inspection; set
f,-inu
voirs; motive power; telephone-poles
conduits; telegraph ompanies-poles.
conduits; express companies; riparian
rights and utilities.
Employees in each of these depart
ments are to he selected by civil SER
vice examinations by the directors. and
will be under their control.
No mention OF the Administrative
Board or OF the Council is made. The
former will be eliminated, and it will
remain for councilmanic decision
whether or not the latter body should
lie reduced Mr.. Workman said that
his plan had been evolved after care
full study of the municipa1 government
systems of many cities. There are
some radical departures, he said. but
were all designed for the greatest efh-
cheney, and the operation of the city
will be on practically the same lines
as large corporations handle their
affairs.
at appears, if current reports
throughout the city may be relied upon.
that the people Of Richmond are sincere
in their wish to reform, or remodel
our city government, so as to make II
efficient. just and economical and free
from politics." he said. IF this be
true, then the people can make their
government exactly what they want
1t to be. But, in order to reach this
much desired state. they must place the
executive power Of the city In the
hands and under the ma 'agement OF
gentlemen free from political influence,
paying them salaries sufficient to obtain
the desired caliber of men.
1T matters not what form OF gov
crnment we have, nor what changes
aud reforms we make in mere paper
details of our system. unless behind
Continued OH Second Page.)