The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-11

being an expense upon the city Of s7o,-
ooe but no one had charged up its
credit.
He then endeavored to show and
said he had figures In his Office to prove
what he said that the sum OF 5000, zoe
had been saved the city on smooth paw
ing alone; that sum sufficient to pay
the salaries of the board for ave years
had been saved in the readjustment Of
damages claimed for grading; that
$500 eco mad been saved in oil con-
tracts; and that the city had contracted
for coal at $40 per ton. which was a
great saving. The sum saved in the
consolidation and abolition Of pihces,
he said. had amounted to slS3i50,
~'Besides all these things" he said,
the administrative board had helped
the poor. and while citizens generally
were suffering for coal. the wards OF
the city at City home. Virginia hos
pital and Pine camp were sitting by
warm AMI coy fires. and the cPrts Of
the street cleaning department had
been utilized in hauling the fuel to
these departments and 10 the homes Of
citizens who could not get Their fuel
in any other way.
Jumps the Press.
Much of the speech was devoted 10
attacks upon the press. the compilers
-
of municipal research, the Civic assoc
citation. and other persons His allu-
sions to members Of the press ard the
Civic association were received ny the
large gallery with much laughter.
The newspapers have devoted much
space In advocating the abolition Of the
administrative board, lie said. but
they hava not dwelt upon the recon
mendation of the New York experts
that the city council be aboljsht d.
Il give warning right now, that
there is a samson in your midst II
you attempt 10 overthrow the admin
istratiye board and "A few other parts
of the city government, you Will all
go over too The whole government
will fall upon your heads. There is
some Interior motive behind this move
rnent, and some of the men are be-
ing made dupes by those who wish Ia
get possession of the gas water and
electric plants / will not submit 10
being made the scapegoat and Will
use every effort to overthrow you all.
II this paper is adopted. We have the
means of doing it. When that petit
ton comes here you will have to
grant the peoples request We are
Just holding our hands to see what
you are going to do"
Commissioner Non ComtnittaI
Alderman Fuller, asked the speaker
| II council failed 10 recommend the or
dinance including the abolition of the
board, would the petition he present
ed council
Il would suggest they hold on to IL
for future reference" was the reply
II want three nights at the Academy
OF Music to discuss this report And
viii be able to reveal its fallacies"
| The meeting was largely attended
Citizens from every section of the city
were on hand None of them, except
, Commissioner Mccarthy spoke, how.
J ever There was little time left for
them to speak when he concluded.
/ In the audience were many city Of
/ hcIals and employees, and number
CT leading business and public men, IN
Guiding members of the Civic associa.
/ ton
The ordinance, from indications las
night, will have a rough sail through
council 1t Is quite probable that a
the meeting of the board of aldermen
next Tuesday night the petition sign.
cd. 1t is said, by more than 5000 peo
pie will be presented asking for ar
election on the question of charter
changes.