The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-13

I of Importance to them and to the city
for one viii not interfere. Yes.
signed the petition. and was glad oil
the opportunity. II you cant find the
father of the IDEA, will become the
foster father. II is too good an idea
! to so fatheriess, however, and hope
| the man who nrst started the circuls,
ton of the petitions win come out
I from under the bushel"
MIR. Reek says Nothinx.
But Mr.. Beck was adamant The
| Sphynx was never more immobile.
J "Humphr' he exclaimed. Il don''
] know anything about 1t"
! II must be mentioned here that Mr..
Beck was not present at a so-called
: conference of the board last Friday
I afternoon. when, as has been rumored
/ the agreement was entered into by
the board. to send, forth the petitions.
There was no conference" reiter-
aten the board members individually.
Much inquiry last night by Viz
gilman reporter left him In the dark
deeper than when he first sought the
identity of the author of the petitions.
]. was learned that many petitions
had been circulated both by city en-
ployes and citizens Custodian The
Folkes, OF the Grays' armory, and ef~
feryescent Jefferson ward politician.
=
cause he had given blank forms TO
several persons to circulate. Mr.
Folkes could not be located in his
usual tyyrting places last night so
he wss no. given the opportunity OF
affirming tive report that he had been
the prime mover in tho matter. II he
f. the man, and he learns how anxious
the members of the administrative
boa d are to locate the author. he will
disclose himself to them today. for he
is under their jurisdiction as city
employe
II was said last night that the re-
uured percentage OF voters could not
DO secured In time TO be presented at
the meeting OF the board of alder
men tonight. Much detail work is still
necessary to get the petition in proper
shape. 1t is estimated that the quail
ficd vote a. the election OF last Tues
day would hardly 30 over 1900. One
fourth OF that would be nearly three
hundred Then the list will have to be
verified by-f court clerk, and this
can hardy be done in time for the
meeting tonight.
Citizens Arc Warned.
In the meantime the Civic associa =
ton warns citizens that the petitions
now being circulated are not authoriz-
'ed nv that body. Many who signed the
petitions did SO. II was learned yester-
day, under a mira ppreh~1 ~ten. They
understood the papers have been pfac-
ed In circulation by the Civic associa-
ton and when It was learned that they
had not. a number of those who had
signed authorized the withdrawal OF
their signatures.
The City Hall attaches are divided
among themselves as to the wisdom
Of circulating the petitions at this time
ano there are more employees In the
! CITY Haul who did not sign the pc.
tulons than there are those who did.
II was sasd by member of the
i administrative board that the pc
tition signed by Mr.. Hobson was
/ presented him nv "A reporter for
i an afternoon paper
president Peters. OF the common
council. said last night that while he
knew nothing about the source of ths
petitions, he feared such action might
! ihftrtere to some extent with progress
or his resolution reducing the mem
bership OF the administrative board
20 three members. He said he believ.
ed the city council could ask and get
snch an amendIlent through tina .asis-
Iafure without going to the expense
and time of submitting the proposition
to the people with its iHeerminable dis.
cussion and consideration and DELAY.
My amendment does not put any
one out OF office" said Mr.. Peters las,
night. The terms of two members o,
inc administrative board expire, ant
! ! simply seek to close the door for the
| Inauguration OF any one in thei,
places This. / believe, may be done
by council without reference to tn,
| electorate"