The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-21

Editor vlrginisn:
Sir am DESTROYS that your readers
have an opportunity to understand the
charter change situation, az seen oy
the civic association. somewhat more
fsly than has been presented In your
paper Of late. Whatever may be your
news policy and edit oriai ottitud" j
h"va found you willing 10 puohsh
courteous statements end ] am ASK
.ng you 10 be good enough 30 pub
18th this letter.
Since June, 1915, the Civic Asso-
citation Of Richmond, composed OF j.
roo ~ the best citizens OF Richhond'
including almost every man WI" is
notable for his leadership IN the city,
has been working for charter reform
We have seen good results come from
eur agitation, labor. and financial ex-
penditures. For the FIRST time IN the
history Of Richmond. We have eeCuf-
Ell q complete and judicla} eTamlhh-
ton ~ all Of our municipal affairs of
the best equipped and most experience
Cd body OF municipal experts IN ihls
country. We have socn > community
which at the tine cf our ORGANIZE :
ton was Indifferent on subjects ~
,,,,rtrtra1 government stirred 80 such
on extent that those who have con
slsfeutlv opposed uH from the NeEln-
ming row base their nwr ar1"@iooh u,
our frrrned9pte demands on the GROUND
that thy desire even extensive more
charter reform And wa have seen
the council Of the city ~ FiohmonT,
IN reapcnse to D. great demand on the
FNf-gTsF ~ WIN n
request to the general assembly FOR
farre m - sure 81 charter chances.
This has Ncer Poirg m for several
y-~nr~ and the council COMMITTEES itself
has haer at work FOR full year on
tho subject Of charter amendments
During I'll th'u time those who
have esrou~cd charter changes, either
tho citizens or the council have re-
ccivrd nc encouragement from tho hd-
te,tri~~re+fNe board ~ Richmond and
have seen tho administrative board
and ftw friends set forward no plan
~ charter change A# matter or
/ fact the chief spokesman Of fhHt board
! has verHiste1t1v claimed that the gov
eminent Of tho CITY Of Richmond II
! the best on earth But To- a mystery
f In November. 1917, a few days after
the bureau Of municipal research had
/
at ould be abolished at tho earliest OPP
rorturltv. Il came TO light that mem
rers 81 the board were earnestly de-
afrruH Of very extensive reforms, so
much 20 that thov sponsored q petit
t'or which purported to look 70 that
end. The enemy Of charter reform
haA suddenly become its sreat advo-
Icote. aud onIv two months before the
general assembly was to meet Now
they ore asking the general assembly
Ito nut aside the work OF n council
corr, nlttee, which has been on the tor
! FOR a year, sponsored by citizens who
have been on the fob for nearly three
Years. because 1T the last minute they
iforkooth have become the greatest re
formers in the city! Having had the
same length or time other citizens and
tire council have had, knowing that
Inv the petition method with its re
land two elections, six and nine months
would he REQUIRED TO com plete the
process. they began work only in No
iver7ber. two months before the gener-
al assembly convened and now ask
the general assembly to DO nothing
Iurtn 1890.
Who would he benefited by this
delay The very men who are ask
tins the delav~-they would be the benz
hclaries by the retention Of their or
ficee to the tune OF 81, 600 year apiece
and at an annual cost to the citizens
Of over S36, 900. And what do they