Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-07
Get Big Men and Pay Them Well


Q UCCESS OF Richmond's new system OF gov
~ eminent is at stake. 1t depends abso-
lutely on the character and business quail
iications OF the men who shall be chosen to
fill the four directorships provided under the
amended charter. II they be men of big
calber, men of executive ability. men who
will put Richmond's interests above all other
considerations, then the system will work
its designers framed it to work. II the
positions be filled with incompetents or from
the ranks of tho petty politicians then at
the very outset its failure will be ordained.
The greatest possible danger to success
would be municipal parsimony. In fact, it
would be fatal. Big jobs have been created,
big men are required to fill them, and big sal
aries are mandatory if the big men are to
be secured. There is the situation, and i'll
face of it the City Council seems inclined
to haggle over the salaries that are to be
paid Apparently it hopes to get the big men
for cheap pay. That will not do. Richmond
wants no charity. II the right men take the
jobs they must not be expected to sacrifice
their personal interests, their time and their
labors receiving nfggardly sums in return
Richmond is well able to pay for what it
gets, and only in that way will it get what
it wants. It's citizens would resent the sorry
spectacle it would make ii it went about with
its hat held out seeking highclass service
FOR low-class remuneration.
Just as an instance, take the case of Dr.
Ennion Williams, said to be the Mayors
lection for Director of Public Welfare. There
is big man for big job. The work of that
dictatorship is vitality important to Richmond,
and DR.. Williams is capable of discharg-
ing his responsibilities as any man in this
or any other State. Yet the city may be
compelled to forego his efficient services be-
cause the Council would limit the salary to
$4,000. Perhaps the public-spirited DR.. Will
liams would be willing to make the sacrifice.
but it should not be demanded expected
of him. Neither should the people consent
to having the place filled by man Of less
talent.
Who is there that can fill the Dictatorship
OF Public Safety as it should be filled and
feel that he is being adequately paid at SIS, 900
the year? There are many who want the job
and would regard the $4,000 as a prncely
sum compared with what their abilities now
permit them to earn, but the man who can
fill it as it must be filled perhaps can earn
many times that in private life. Shall
Richmond entreat such man to accept the
position, taking fractional part Of his pay
in cash and the remainder in honor and glory?
No! Richmond has not reached that beggardly
stage.
There is but one wise, soundly economic
course. Let the Mayor pick out the biggest
and bcst-trained men he can find Let him
not hamper himself by worry over what the
city will pay. When the right men are found
lie will have done his duty before the people
and all that be asked OF him. Then it
will be up TO the Council to make the posi-
tions pay salaries sufficiently large to hold
the Mayors selections. Responsibility before
Richmond will be upon it. IL il refuses show
ing prediction for little men and little
salaries, it will have to answer for the fail
ure. which will send the now system OF gov
eminent TO the scrap heap.