Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-02
ALL PLANS ELIMINATE
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD
Many Councilpen MIKE Suggestions
rs to Simpliicntion az
Government.
suscoMMrTrEE HARD At WORK
Hopes to Prepare Schedule or Char
ter Amendments Preserving Coun-
Gil. but Concentrating Executive
Authority to Place Responsibility.

The trend OF sentiment for reforms
in Richmond's existing form Of govern
ment is Enthusiastically 20: ;he abolition
of the Administrative Board and for ~
greater Capitalization Of power and thc
elimination Of UNNECESSARY; Offices and
officials. Not only is ihis t.ue among
ruhlic-spirit,d citizens, but in council
manic circles such Il movement has
been quictI! discussed on numerous
occasions for ncarl" year.
Four conferences. each lasting uatil
,niduisht. wtr, hvid las: week by the
subcommittee OF the CounCil Committee
On Charter Changes. Hhivh was ap-
pointed 10 draft the necessary chartcT
amendments Ia make effective tho suE
gcs;cd reforms. Members Of the sub
conmittcc which * composed of Il.
Lee Peters. prcsidcn; of tho Common
Council: Councilman Fred II. Powell
snd Alderman orNvay RULER. had
hoped 10 be anl. 10 present IN 'ir report
early this week. but it was found yes
;cr,iay THAI this w:ould be impossible.
Much wnrH has. hesn accomplished in
The short TIME tho coa>,uit;cc has been
sitting. 81, the undertaking was vast
one. and the Recommendations have not
hem completed. Members said yester-
DAY that they hoped TO complete their
report This week.. and il VIII probably
ne sen, 20 ,h, full Committee on
charter Change eari:- next week.
COt-StII. SE:>rIMI'NT II
ADVERSE TO BOARD
Cie"ri. outlining the ssri;nent Of
~, ;,.I,
i"c rcccatl?. ihv resolution approved
las: r hruMrs 'rrmtinS thc special joint
Committee or Charter Changes provides
that il ;ha'l consider hat amendments
20 IN cit. cnmTt,- are n""csSAr. so
provide .ur Ill. ..np,itioa Of ;hc fe"
System Az, tlc SUBSTITUTION therefor
~ fined sllarie., Ia The different d..
parti,.ntS cf II" cj;l government;
where possible. ana Ich o;he: amend
incnts al ~iil pernli, Of thc con*olida-
zion. ",-ordiua;ioU and Capitalization
o. the several department.; OF the city
government. with . view at increasing
the cfiicienc! and economical! admin
'ctratior thereof" This resolution
outlines. III u general way. All aug-
gsa:.d chang.
in addition 20 the comprehensive
made by th- Kew Yori. Bureau OF Mu-
uicipa! Research. the committee has
before il for consideration four other
plans FOR reforms. Two Of these are
~ ,cnsiTr. while two suggestions al
'rnHr patrons ere .>lG,-man W W
Workman and Councilman Peters.
Powell and Rose
-,le =,
- who initiated the reform move
-a:nt in tn Council and who l.: chair
'ndn OF tho Charter Change Coin:nittee
Hould abolish tho Administrative
Noard and The administration OF the
ci;!'S business would he placed in the
hS:da Of IN executive committee. This
C"~!..tttec would consist OF the p:cSi-
dent OF the hoard OF Aldermen. the
prcsidcnt OF the Common Council. the
chairman ot the i'inance Committee.
The City AUDITOR and the Mayor, who
%h.l! b. The chairman.
p"DNlDEs 2;Gy, CONSOLIDATION
OF VARIOUS OFFICES
,'nter this plan The municipal Offices
il. S,oC:j Richmond you'd hc traaa-
fired To the North side OF the river
;Ee roiicr Court, f'art II, abolished
ana The hustiuga Court. Fart H., re-
moved to the city Hail. but maintained
as n court Tor civil actions The Office
vi Cty yrunt would be abolished
amd ths CITY J"i! placed under the SUI
ptr"ision 81 thH sheriff, who shall be
,,rctc' br the people. Likewise would
she oi.ce Of ,!!.Eh Constable be elm.
tnatra. ard ita business placed under
She control OF The ra,me Official
MI Standing committees of the
Council. with the aceprion OF the
FINANCE Comn;iticc. would be abolished
and this committee would consist OF
nine members eight Cf whom shall be
members OF Nc C.t% Council four APP
1cirttd ~ the prcaidcn, OF the Board
of Aldermen ana .our by the prcSi-
cert OF :he Common Council. the ninth
Irc,lr"r being the City auditor. The
presidents q! hotE branches and tho
Mayor ehau he cn.onIcio members OF
ne '"rILi!l:cc.
T!-~ tcrn manager" woulc be sub
:i;tuieG 10 chat % "supcrintcndent."
IS desiGna ling The heads Of the var!-
oui G.partrruts n The city GoYcrn-
nnnt lhia plan would also abolish
tIlc hard of !'i.o commissioners and
the Public Lmp!oyuent bureau Com
MISSION. The next s,ap in the plan
would lie tGc appointment OF zen
cral mango: h" the executive com
n.ittee ana - purchasing agent. sew
erai drraT yIien:S wO,id ne consolidated
wI.h the lie:i;is Department, including
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