Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-16
COUNCIL CALLED To ACT
ON CHARTER CHANGES
Will Meet Tomorrow Eight-Lead.
ers Predict Adoption OF Com.
mittco Report.
ALDERMEN MAY MEET FRIDAY
Powers Expresses
Willingness to Issue Call IL Mem
bcrs Wish Action by General
ACKNOWLEDGMENT Side Statement.

mon Council. a1nourGcd last night that
he would call II special meeting OF that
boJy for tomorrow night. to receive
tilo report o, the Committee on Charter
Changos. Supporters OF the simplihtd
form VI municipai government. as
recommended by the committee. pre-.
dict that II Will safely pass tho lower
br1ncn at this meeting. despite tho
known opposition In certain quarters.
After adoption by the Common Coun-
Gil. the ordinance goes TO the Board ri
Aldermen. a special meeting of which
tody Will probably DO called for next
Tu-sday night. for concurrence. The
paner must then be app orcd ny Mayor
Gnorge hinslio. after which It will be
presented 10 TIE General Assembly By
tho Richmord delegation.
Councilnen had little fear last night
that tho petition recently circulated
would interfere with the program al
ready mapped GU. Promoters OF the
movement, It was stated. have 80 de-
iaSed preparing :h4it paper for pre-
Scntaton, that II ctBnnt now be made
ready before tho adjournment OF the
Legislature.
WILLING TO CALL
ALDERMEN AT ONCE
In tho absenco of President William
Fl. Adams. Of the Board OF Aldermen.
Ftce-Preaident Joseph Il. Powers SAID
last night that he would call special
meeting TO receive the charter orli-
nance. IL mombers requested such ac-
ton.
II realize the Importance OF quick
action In the matter" said Mr.. Powers.
FOR there is no time to DO lost II tho
ordinance In TO be approved and pre-
n tod IN no
the Common Council meeting Thursday
night. would be only too glad 20 call
a special meeting OF the board this
week. IL the ordinance Is adopted by
the lower branch and members OF the
Board request n special meeting"
President Adams Is attending a con-
vchtion In Buffalo. and will not re-
turn TO Richmond until Monday. 10
intimated before leaving tho city that
he would call a special meeting OF the
Board next Tuesday, Immediately on his
return TO receive the report OF the
Charter Change Committee
Supporters OF the proposed reforms
arc determined 10 use every effort 10
have the meanure passed by tho Cpun-
ell as quickly AZ possible. Tho Gen
eral Assembly has already been in aes-
sion one week, and near the close OF
each session rule is made prohibiting
the Introduction of additional local
biilB. This action is taken 10 prevent a
congestion in tho docket o! the Legis.
laturc. In view OF this fact. efforts
Will be made 10 have R!rhfnouu's bu
offered as quickly as possible. to guaru
against any possible difficulty from
this source.
SOUTH SIDE CITIZENS
FILE LETTER or PROTEST.
A number OF South Side citizens who
hei
Monday night In South Richmond. at
which resolutions were adopted. yes
tcrday expressed their Willingness 10
consider dispnssionately the question
or the economical administration OF
the clty's affairs. The resolutions
adopted. printed in full In The Times
Dispatch yesterday. place those taking
part in tho meeting as standing on
their legal rights in tho matter OF the
retention OF the South Richmond Of
iicea continued under the annexation
agreement.
The raa;ter OF tho South Richmond
Offices IL regarded as merely detal
OF the report OF the charter changers.
in order 20 put the city government on
q war basis. tho committee has en-
dcavored TO lop or all unnecessary OK
penses. eliminating the Administrative
Board and consolidating several OF tho
financial Offices at the City Hail.
Prompt objection came from tho
South Side, and at the mass-meetng
much was said of the iega, and bind
ing quality Of the consolidation agree
ment
1t Ia the contention OF the charter
changers that substation for Tie
receipt OF taxes and tor payment OF
gas and water bills would serve the
public rs well as is done by the reten-
ton OF 4 whole array OF city officials
inherited from the old city OF Man
chester. and that the money so saved
had better be expended on street or
other real Improvement
ISSUE SIGNED STATEMENT
AS TO THEIR ATTITUDE
The following signed statement was
ISSUED last night by number of those
taking part in the ma meeting OF
Monday night:
above the report in The Times
Dispatch this morning of the proceed
ings OF the mase Meeting OF citizens
or South Richmond in reference to the
proposed amendments to the city
Charter. removing Hastings Court.
Part H., to the City Hall and abolish
Ing the South Side municipal Offices,
there appears in glaring letters these
headlines: South Side stands by its
ofticeh olders. Demand their retention.
whether city needs their services or
not
The undersigned members OF the
committee appointed at said mass
meeting to present to the City Council
and the Civic Association the resolu-
tions which were unanimously adopted
desire to express their disapprovaI OF
being put in the attitude set forth in
the caption referred to. when the pre-
amble and resolutions themselves
clearly set forth and declare that the
people Of the South Side are contending
for the unfolding OF a contract. not
Only morally. but legally binding
Nothing was said at the meeting
in regard to retaining the South Side
office holders, whether the city need
cd them or not. to justify these head
cn@. In regard to IN honest. judi
.i"us and economical administration Of
+.ty affairs, the people OF the South
Side are just as much interested as
citizens OF other sections OF Richmond,
and will approach this subject calmly.
ispassionateiy and with broad and
liberal spirit.
(Signed) Augustine Royal, chair
man: a. l.. Adamson, Bon p. Owen. Jr..
NJ. A. Campbell. l.. T.. Ullman, T. j.
Nichols. r. l.. Patram, T. B. Dunrord.
Willis c. Puiliam, a. J. Daffron."