Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-26
CLAIM CHARTER CHANGES
WILL FAIL AT THE POLLS
"Ins" to Sit Tight. and Will Make
No Fight OH Councils
Plan.
COUNT on GENERAL APATHY
Absence OF Many From City May
Give Employee Vote Predominant
ing InflucnCe-Civic Association
Planning Campaign.

i'hhiHS Campaign.
Initial action in the campaign for tho
ratification OF the City Councils char
ter changes must be started by those
forces sponsoring the reforms. Il de-
relopcd yesterday. when il bccar,e
known that under existing onditions
no attack on the CounCil's plan will hc
launched by the So-called .ins." who
are seeking 10 permit the reform move
meni 20 be Killed by default at the
polls on August h. Unless there is
some important development. forces
friendly 10 the Administrative Board
Will conduct no fight.
II was authoriiatively stated that
,hose opposed to any change in the
citys administrative system believe
tEeY have the hight won. and with the
large number OF voters away from tho
city. are confident that a majority o,
me voters VIII vote against any change
al this time In certain circles ycs
terday afternoon there was consider
able confidence expressed. Judge Rich
ardsonS action in setting the special
election on August 6-slShtly more
IMAM thirty days dis iant-together with
an informal canvass of sentiment
among those in office. led to the prediI-
iion that the plan would not be an
proved by the voters.
CIVIC ASSOCIATION
PLANS ACTIVE CAMPAIGN
This. however. is only one view. for
the civic Association of Richmond is
planning an active campaign for the
ratlncation of the charter changes
other organizations are said TO he IN
FAVOR OF the plan. and il is expected
mat several mass something's will be ar
ranged in the course of the next few
days Meetings Will probably he ar
ransed IN the various sections of the
city where community gatherings are
usually held. and prominent speakers
will discuss the ADVANTAGES of tho
charter changes
EVEN when these meetings are called
and should invitations be extended II
members Of the Administrative BOARD
II Is doubtful If they will DC accepted
one member Of the board declared ves-
teTday afternoon that the life or Dom
oi the board was now in the hands Of
the voters of Richmond The "C,i,v
nan petition" is on the table in tn.
council and no action viii be taken
psiu!ns the vote on the charter
changes IF the people of Richmond
abolish the board" said this member
we shai! have no kick to make"
Undoubtedly efforts will be mad, ~
cohhect up the present police scandal
with the chartcr changes, for the mat
yer mas been discussed more or less
generally for several days However
the statement is made that recent de-
Ec!opinehts are all the more reason
lor the adoption of the reform nIan
since the Police Department Will he
taken out Of the hands of the Mayor
ana placed under the control of "A di-
rector of public safety The office Of
chief of police is retained. but The di
rector would have absolute control
over the department, and has the an
po!ntment of its chief
DIR. ANDERSON APPEALS TO
ALL CITIZENS TO VOTE
Preparatory TO its campaign. which
vii! be supported By other organ MIA
tons. the following statement was is
sued Yesterday by Dr H. r. Anderson,
executive secretary of the Civic Asso-
citation:
"Probabl" formal statement will
be issued later by the association;
meantime. there is no hesitation in
saying that the civic Association Will
support the Council with all its cner-
gy IN the fight for the ratification of
the charter amendments The judge
has fixed the date at the time apparent
Is made necessary by the wording Of
the Law itself. The Civic Association
VIII DC on hand at that time and be
lieves that the citizens Of Richmond
who are laboring for permanent i'm
provemcnt in our affairs will make
themselves felt. The principal thing
that needs 10 be Impressed upon our
people is the necessity Of voting AT
that time. 40 man. because Of any
little inconvenience. should be kept
away from the polls. Men Of Rich ,
mond should make arrangements as
{, patriotic duty TO be on the firing
line al the polls on August 6. Patriot
ism demands II.
The present situation empha sizes
the excellence of one important feature
OF the charter amendme nts-that pro-
yiding for a director Of public safety
In charge OF the Police and Fire De-
partrnentH Public opinion and con
nrmation Of this appointment by the
Council VIII assure the choice OF
man Of ability ana character. The
whole emphasis Of rccen, events IL
On such coordination Of departments
and fixing OF responsibility as are
made possible for all departments UNI
der the proposed amendments
The election Of August o is vita
one III our history 30 man should
fall down on his job.