Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-19
More Needed Than Ever

I is not true, as has been ingenuously sug-
1 gested, that the war in which the country
is engaged should postpone or weaken Rich
mond's efforts to improve the form and the
methods OF its city government. The direct
opposite is true. The period of stress
through which we are passing. the period OF
reconstruction which will follow 1t and the
tremendous demands which will be made on
the pockets Of taxpayers make 1t essential
that the city achieve the greatest possible
economy with the greatest possible efficiency
If 1t has been difficult in the past to finance
Richmond's constantly enlarging need of i'm
provements, 1t Is going to be more difficult in
the future War taxes will consume long
after the war has ended, unprecedented pro-
portions OF the countrys income. The nation
already has made its start in this direction
and it is but start. 1t will be surprising
If the State assuming at least share Of the
burden of caring for soldiers dependents and
meeting other extraordinary expenses. does
not also find 1t necessary to increase its tax
rates. If the war is prolonged. the proba-
bllity OF such increases will become GER
stainty.
This means of drastic municipal
economy. II Richmond is to progress as il
must progress it will have TO spend much
money, but under such conditions it should
not spend dollar except for value received
II the duties OF administration. revenue col
lection and public service generally can be
performed At less expense, it would he a
crime for Richmond to fail to make the neces-
sary changes in its organic laws and its bust
ness methods. Instead of waiting because
the war is upon us. we should hasten our re-
forms for that very reason. If retrenchment
was deemed wise year ago, it is doubly
wise now
The Council Committee on Charter Changes
meets tonight, and will have before II again
the ordinance providing for survey OF Rich
monds government. Against this survey no
real argument ever has been advanced 1t
Will be made by a body of experts who will
start their work with no prepossessions for
or against any municipal department These
men will be able, experienced and impartial
ihev VIII have no axes to grind. no friends
TO reward and no enemies to punish They
VIII bring to Richmond the lessons which
other cities have learned by bitter and costly
experience They will give " Of their best
What is there which can be said, in candid
honesty, against an investigation of this char
acter? The city can lose nothing, because
the Civic Association stands ready to defray
the expenses OF the survey, and it may gain
much.
Delay is the real danger and in our be-
lief, the only danger, because sooner or later
Council Will grant what the people of Rich
mond have shown they want Prolonged de-
lay means that the results Of the survey NAV
not be available for use In drawing new
city charter in time for presentation at the
next session of the General Assembly
Further discussion is unnecessary This
matter has been under consideration for six
months and there is not an intelligent man
in Richmond who does not understand iust
what is involved When the committee meets
tonight it should recommend the ordinance
Tor adoption by the Council. and Council
should pass the ordinance Just as promptly
as Its rules will permit