Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-25
CHARTER ELECTION
SET FOR AUGUST 6
Judge Richardson Fixes Date
When Voters Will Pass on
Councils Plan.
ADMINISTRATORS TO FIGHT
"1ns" Will Launch Campaign
Shortly Against Ratification
of Reform Measure.

August 6 was designated yesterday
by Judge ID. c. RICHARDSON. in the
Hustings Court. as the date for the
holding of the special election in Rich
mond to ratify or reject the charter
changes adopted by the City Council
early this year, and later approved by
the General Assembly. which provide
for the abolition of the Administrative
Board and other radical changes in the
governmental system OF the city 1t is
expected that the Ight on the new
plan Will be opened in the next few
days. for 1t is known that forces
friendly to the board have planned
vigorous campaign TO kill" the reform
movement.
The Councils plan became a law last
Friday, subject to ratification by the
voters of the city. ninety days after the
final adjournment OF the Legislature.
and Judge Richardson was so advised
at once. After having the matter un-
der consideration since that time the
court yesterday fixed Angus; 6 as the
date for the election. The special cleo
ton could not be called within less
than thirty days from the time it be-
came a law. If the plan is adopted
o. the voters il Will become effective
January /. 1919
There will be no muddying the
waters in Richmonds fight for mun!c-
ipal reforms. for II is known that no
action on the city Hail. petition will
be taken until after the voters of the
city have considered the Councils plan.
Commissioner Graham b. Hobson, OF
the Administrative Board. who spon-
sored the petition, considered manda-
mus proceedings last week to force
action by the Council, but abandoned
th;s plan at this time and the Council
VIII be permitted to take up the matter
ut it's pleasure.
CITY HALL PETITION
MAY DII; WITH COUNCIL
In event that the Councils plan Is
adopted. and in many circles an over
wheiming vote in favor of it is pre-
dicted- there Is little likelihood that the
CITY Hail. petition will ever be con-
sidered. because the voters will have
decided that they favor the abolition
OF the Administrative Board. and the
petition Will also have died, in all
probability, with the present Council.
which goes out of existence August
81
The Civic Association of Richmond,
which has fought for several wears
for municipal reforms will prepare it's
cam paign in support OF the Councils
plan AT once, it was stated Yesterday
While this association mad advocated
more radical changes than arc contain
ed in the law now TO be ratified b.
the voters. it has fallen in lire and
viii support the Councils plan as a
lorg step in advance over the present
system.
The ballots 10 be used in the cleo.
tion shall state the object. the law bro
vides. rs follows:
'"ro ratify or reject the proposed
amendments to the charter OF the city
OF Richmond, authorized by an act
of the General Assembly, and below
the following propositions in the order
here set forth:
For Amendments and Against
An: end.nents"
The voter shall draw line through
tile proposition lie does not wish to
vote fer leaving the other unscratched
BOARD
TO BE ABOLISHED
The charter plan provides for tho
abolition Of the administrative Board
and general! regrouping of al; de-
partmcntS of the city government. The
plan will centraliHe the administration
of the city's affairs. it is asserted, and
VIII materially reduce the operating
costs of the municipality.
Replacing the Administrative Board,
and the Board of Fire Commissioners,
will be a government OF six general
depa rtments. which In turn will bo
controlled by an advisory board, ot
which the Mayor iS the chairman
Other members OF the board will be
composed OF department heads select
ed by him The six general depart
ments are designated as law. finance.
public works. public welfare. public
utilities and public safety.
At the head Of each department there
shall be director. appointed by the
Mayor and approved by the Council.
with the exception that the directors
of law and finance are elccted outright
by the Council. Under this plan the
Police Department and the Fire De-
partmcnt would be placed under the
control CT the director of public safety.
who would probably be n man outside
of either of the departments.
The director of public safety will
have the appointment OF the Chief of
Police, and general supervision of both
Police and Fire Department
All officers Of the city relating to
the collection of moneys and all dis
bursements would he directly under
the control Of the director Of finance
ana comptroller. and much alleged red
tarc would be eliminated. Similar
changes would be made with other
and II far more ceptralized
form of government provided, it Is
claimed. The heads OF the departments
shall he directly responsible for the
CT their departments and
will report directly TO the Mayor.
No Change In Bulgarian Policy.
BY Associated Press.1