The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-03

these propositions when they come
ur.-
Willis Favsrm Action.
Councilman Mills, who. while mem
Der of the charter changes committee
that framed the charter which was
finally ratified by the people at the
polls. and who at that time opposed
the changes, last night stood the
brunt Of all the criticisms heaped up
IN him by Councilman Jones, Haddon.
jefferson. Powers, Morton and Sulli-
van. He declared that while he oriei-
nslly opposed any changes in the char
ter the fact that the people had de-
cded against him. had changed his
line OF though. and he hoped there
would be no delay In the passage Of
The various ordinances az proposed by
the committee. as II was imperative
that no delays be had uuneoeesarilv.
because the charter becomes effective
On January T.
stress was laid on the passage Of
the ordinance providing for the salaries
~ the directors. Mayor Ajnslie had
stated that he could not nominate fnen
for the places until he had been iu-
formed as to tho size of tho pay. An
ordinances already passed requires him
10 make his nominations on or before
December 10.
This ordinance drew many comments
who indicated that they wanted more
light an the subject and when ~ was
Intituated that men outside the de-
partrnents would probably he uominat-
cd for some Of the places Mr.. Powers
wanted 30 know If Dr, Williams IL
chosen ~ director of public welfare,
wilt that vacatc the office now held
by Itr. Flanagan
Dir. Williams Mentioned.
n had been stated by Mr. Mills that
the name OF Or. Ennton c. Williams, of
the state department of health, would
be offered the place. and II was in
response to this statement that Mr..
Powers injected his pertinent inquiry.
The council has nothing to do with
this" replied Mr.. Mills, 1T viii be up
to the director Of that department,
The city viii hold him directly respon-
siblo for the conduct Of the depart
mcnt"
Then Mr.. Jones remarked that it wss
his impression that the charter changes
were destgned to cut the expenses OF
the city, nd that II the city IL To pro-
vide now places, there might as well
have been no change from the old adj
ministrattVe board system, He was
fully convinced in the beginning that
economy was TO be the watchward.
III the gentleman will read nil the
ordinances suggested by the commit
tee" responded Mr.. Mills, he viii see
that the city will save many thousands
of dollars. But this council has moth
ing to ,lo with the action of the direc-
tors. who are given ad lib by the
charter IN the >canaaet Of their de4
uartnents.
MFR. Jmlauf and Mr.. Moore felt. with
Mr.. Mills that the ordinance parti-
cuiarly relating to salaries should be
acted upon al once. SO that the mayor
might proceed In business way with
hie nominations
au~~ti0a af Salary.
Il was stated. however. by Council
man Iladdon and Jones that this very
ordinance would raise many questions.
and they wanted more time IN which
to consider the various phases of the
situation.
In the cross -Hre debate, Mr.. Minis
stated that il was inconceiva BILE to him
that council should "act like this" and
that while he impugned no mans mo-
tive, there was something behind It
all He could see no reason for delay
particularly in the salary question.
Both Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Haddon
/ jumped to their feet to refute any
such insinuation. They, declared there
was no negro In the wood pile SO far
as they fvvere concerned. and Mr., Jones
went stiil further By stating that he
had not gone to the mayor to ask for
the naming of any one. and that he did
not intend to do so"
discussion might have been In
tstmlnable had not Mr.. Morton called
attention to the fact thar the council
was getting away from brass tacks
and had discussed for nearly two
hours, what they might have settled
In hair an hour. and he suggested that
the body adjourn to next Monday or
n =. dat "a ~,
be supplied members they might
act with Intelligence upon the matter.
More discussion followed, and finally,
after various parliamentary entanRle-
ments had been Straikhtcned out by
Chairman Powell. sitting as vicc-presi-
dent, Mr.. Peters being on the floor, a
resolution offered by Mr.. Tmlauf that
council adjourn to next Monday night.
at which time the ordinances will he
disposed OF. was adopted Mr. Mills be-
ing the only dissenting member.
i cannot be "A party TO such move
faent" he explained this salary ques-
ton is a most important one, and /
shall 50 on record rs opposing any de-
Lag in action thereon"
H~nriro Gas Goes TIP.
Before reaching this point, council
cleaned up its calendar. passing among
other things the ordinance giving the
ifenrlco County Gas company the right
20 raise its PRICE TO II per thousand
feet, and To keen II the same as that Of
The city, provided that It would never
have TO go below ninety cents.
An ordinance allowing the street
car company TO run its cars from First
street 70 the north end OF the viaduct
without stopping going north at GER
tain hours, was sent to the street COM
mittee
An ordinance allowing the American
once Rufldirv rdrn6raiinp 10 rir
"a encroach slightly on Main street.
adjoining the American National bank
building, was concurred in.
resolution transferring $4,000
from the water works fumc account
Ia the water mains account for the
construction OF main along the
Boulevard TO take care of the sect ion
adjacent to the American Locomotive
works and the Seahoara' Air Line rail-
rnaa adnntad