The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-10
$1,000 SALARY FOR
CITY DIRECTORS
Council Adopts Ordinances
Without Amendment as
Recommended.
CLOSE VOTE ON START
CLOSE VOTE ON START
Members Make Objection to
Creation Of Offices Of Pur-
chasing and Claim
Agents.

Little opposition arose at the meet
ing of common council last night
over the adoption of the thirteen or
dinances recommended by the special
committee on charter changes, con-
sideration of which was postponed
last week so members could read and
digest the propositions.
The only semblance to opposition
was injected into the proceedings at
the outset, when Councilmen Jones.
Haddon. Morton and Sullivan, de-
clared they were totally opposed to
the creation OF new offices. The Of
Aces referred to were those of chief
of the bureau of information and
complaints; claim agent and pur-
chasing agent. Each of these offices
carry salary. and upon this point Mr..
Jones argued that the people had
voted for q charter which they had
been led to -believe had been drawn
with the, idea of curtailing the ex-
penses OF the city, rather than en-
larging them.
Councilman Mills, who had charge
of the ordinances Tor the committee,
I axnininad- thA&-tsl -snO- ltlMk6
/ Is an added expense, for the coan-
mittee would show 1t the proper time
Do saved the city. despite the creation
Of several most necessary and de-
SRA BILE small Offices.
The Test Vote.
!, A test vote was taken. however. on
the ordinance creating . bureau OF
infossnA tfos1 and compiainA, and the
ordinance wzH adopted BIZ the vote ~
ten to nine, with Mr.. Seaton absent.
The vote was: W.
| Ayes-Batkins, Butler. English
Mills. Moore. Powell, Roden. Rose
Umlauf.
Noes--Atkinson. Grimes. Haddon.
Jeter. Jones, Ladd. Morton. Powers
Opponents OF the various ordi-
flances saw at once that the fight
against them would prove a fruitless
one. and. while slight effort at oppo-
siiion injected itself once or twice
after that, mainly by Councitrnan
Haddon. Jones. Sullivan and Morton,
the explanations given by Captatn
Mills, who was well supported ~
Councilman Powell, and who was
prompted BY Alderman Fuller. who
sat beside him. dwindled the cpposi-
ton away until 1t stood at bare
four.
Before going into the general dis
cussion, Captain Mills introduced an
amendment giving the justice Of po-
lice court the power TO name his
clerk, and another graduating the
penalty on failure to pay city taxes
giving the citizen the privilege OF
saving IN Increased penalty by pay
Ing early in the year. thus putting the
Nancy into circulation and sAvtng the
city the embarrassment of borrowing
money from tho banks for current
Thomas p. McAdams. Of the Mer-
ichanfT National bank was present ~
spectator and probably made
mental note OF thts-
Salnsv Ordinance Adopted.
The ordinances ~ adopted las
night. with few minor amendments
introduced by Captain Mills, have A.
ready rspeived much publicity. The
+ only on4 that has given the public
much concern, and which has also
e1von the mayor some concern. was
that fixing the salaries OF the varions
directors to be chosen by the mayor
a. well A. two to be elected BY
council.
The recommendation that the pay
| be fixed At 5000 annually, with the
understanding that the pay would
be raised in accordance with the
etIiciency OF the men. was adopted
without debate.
The other ordinances in the order
Of their passage are:
An ordnance giving the heads Of
tho various departments tho power te
Ak the salaries OF sthe employees Of
their der1Artments In acccrdancc with
regulations OF tho advisory board.
The .eatAhllehYnent Of q bureau 81
tnformatioMf and complaints. in thu
city hall with = central telephone
switchboard.
The creation of-~the position Of
claim agent TO be attached to the OF.
Ace Of the city attorney.
! The erection Of an auditor and az
countant: q combination OF the
present duties Of the special account.
ant and some OF those now performed
by the city auditor.
The abliahment Of . storehouss
and the election Of 4 purchaxin
agent. The city had previously APP
propriated funds for the erection Of
= city stoTehouse and had accepted
Providing for = city planning com.
inission. to embrace the members ,ol
1.-The advisory board, and providing
pertain 6utie1.
IA eEdsnancss permitting the pres
tcsatsass4 - PsSs Toas3 u