Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-10
Reform, Not Revolution, in City Affairs

a T first reading, the report of the survey
a Of Richmond's governmental institution
may seem somewhat staggering in the mass
of its findings and the multiplicity of it's
recommendations. More careful study will
bring the realization that perhaps majority
of the reforms suggested can be brought
about by heads of the various departments,
and that abuses complained Of have come to
exist through laxity and carelessness rather
than from faults in the basic principles of
the citys laws.
The more radical changes proposed will
require legislative action, and they should
be carefully studied and considered before a
decision as to their necessity or feasibility Is
reached. However, promptness is demanded
in any matters it may be deemed expedient
to take before the General Assembly as that
body will meet in January. But no great
revolution in city affairs is necessary to bring
about betterment In numerous conditions
admittedly IN sore need of correction. A
strict adherence to the provisions Of the pres
ent laws and an earnest endeavor on the part
OF city officials and employees to give the best
possible public service under the existing
system will remove the most glaring blots
which now mar our public service. Some
of these reforms already are under way, de-
partment heads needing no further spur to
action than knowledge that laxties in their
administration had come into the pitiless rays
Of the public spotlight. general cleaning
up may be expected as one result Of the civic
survey under an aroused public sentiment.
Many changes in methods and details of
administration may be effected without the
necessity of calling upon the Legislature for
changes in the charter. 1t will require no
new lawmaking to eliminate vaudeville from
the Police Court and forever remove this re-
proach to Virginias jurisprudence, nor are
any new statutes needed for the abandonment
OF such irregular practices in this tribunal
as are alleged in the survey report. The
City Jail may be cleaned up and conducted
as are modern penal Institutions In other
cities, and it's constant menace to public
health and morals removed without recourse
to any Legislative body. The city's markets
may be cleared OF their filth and kept in
sanitary condition. and other suggested re-
forms may be inaugurated by the Health
Department without change Of ordinances
Better discipline and accepted scientific
methods may be put into force in the Fire
and Police Departments and in score OF
other ways the public welfare may be better
conserved. And SO on down the line Elm
ination OF antiquated bookkeeping and adop-
ton OF better accounting systems, cutting
off OF needless overhead expense and de-
mand for adequate returns for every penny
expended will so a long distance toward
giving desired results
These are only few Of the things which
should have been done long ago, or rather
they are conditions which never should have
been permitted to exist. but 1t has remained
for others to come in and point out our civic
Ills. Now that they have been diagnosed.
there Will be speedy and insstent demand
for their permanent cure