Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-08

is offered irrespective of his place of
residence. The departmental organiza-
ton herein suggested is the same us
that outlined under plan No. /. and
would IL II seemed desirable be read
justed as suggested therein. The Adj
niniStrativc head of each department
should be appointed by and directly
responsible to the city manager. The
latter would be charged with the pre-
paration and submittal OF the annual
hudCc' 20 the commission.
The same consolidation Of the offices
OF 'hc city clerk and Auditor is recon-
mcnded as under plan No L. In uddi-
iion such office might function as the
reasons which exist In plan No. l for
separating these functions would he
less important.
The commission manager plan has
almost the same advantage of keeping
II separation between the Legislative
branch OF the government Uhe com
nission) and the executive branch as
The Commixsion Plan.
The third alternative Is shown gra-
phicaily in chart u. The commission
form OF government has been developed
generally throughout the United States
commission in Galveston, Texas. At
the presen, time over 400 cities are
operating under this plan. 1t is to he
tain fundamental defects such as vest
ing legislative and administrative au-
thority in the same men. Also that
departments are elected, instead of
being appointed. thereby laying it open
To the objections already noted herein
concerning the selection of adminiStra-
tive officials by popular election.
u is we'll TO realize that many OF the
cities now under the commissions man
commission plan. Finding II unsatis-
factory they decided to take the next
logical step-.coniine the functions OF
the commission TO legislative matters
and have The commission employ a
trained executive to administer the
city's business affairs 1t should also
and Salem. Mass. after trying commits
sion plan Of government, reverted to
the Mayor and Council plan.
IN connection with commission plan
II is also well TO remember that the de-
portmcnts OF Richmond's government
fen logically into only four groups:
Utilities. public works, public safety,
public welfare.
\ commission Of four members would
have difficulty in maintaining Il ma
jori;y. Three is not enough. and, hence
cd number for this form of government.
In event il he decided to adopt COM
mission government. II is recommend.
cd that the NTH commits ioncr be placed
a; the head OF a department known as
the department Of commerce. IN fact,
such q department. might with advan-
tass nc lntluQeu III eltner pian NO.
! or plan No. =. This suggestion is
based on the theory that the develop
ncnt Of the commercial industries now
in tho, city OF Richmond and the .sccur-
ing OF additional industries is impor-
tant To the welfare OF the people. and.
hence. logical undertaking for the gov
crnme The duties of a commissions
or Of commerce would be to effect and
maintain Il closer relation between the
government; and the commcrciai or
ganization Of the city. The department
q. ts,Nt, rl,.lf f,la
Der of commerce. but without the club
and social features. The principle un-
DERIVING this suggestion is incorporat-
cd in the present charter of the city
of Denver. colo.