Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-13
C0UNC|LMEN EXPRESS
GREAT INDIGNATION
Resent Evident Effort of Subordi-
nate Branch to Club Them
Into Line.
MUST CERTIFY VOTING LIST
Preparation Of Hobson Petition Will
Take Some Time Before II Can
BE Filed With City Council-Hob-
sons Letter Is Answered

Great Indignation at tho obvious
effort TO forcstall charter reforms
through the filing of the proposed pcti-
ton calling special election to de-
termine whether changes are to be
made in the City Charter was expressed
last night by members of the Council
and many citizens. Contemplated ac-
ton bE those behind the petition move
mcnt will kill the six weeks work
OF the Council Committee on Charter
Changes. and is viewed as an attempt
TO club" the Council into the retention
OF the Administrative Board or to de-
lay all reforms for at least two years
Clerk Walter Christian, Of the
ltustinGs Court will certify to Graham
u. 1iobson, OF the Administrative
Board, tomorrow morning the num-
Der of qualified voters in the city
Mr. Christian completed his counting
OF the voting lists late yesterday and
announced that he would send Mr.
Hobson an immediate reply TO his
letter. Information as TO the number
OF qualified voters is desired by Mr.
Hobson. ii is stated, that the petition
recently circulated may be checked to
determine whether the signatures Of
the required % per cent of the voters
have been obtained.
READY FOR PETITION
WHENEVER PRESENTED
One member of the Council declared
last night that he was ready for the
petition whenever it was presented
and declared that others held the same
view as himself. He declined to say
what action would be taken, but init
mated that. in his opinion the move
mcnt to defeat tho report of the Char
ter Change Committee would not be
successful. There was considerable in
diEnation on all sides, and much dis
cussion over the latest turn in tho
political fight.
Because City Attorney Pollard found
1t impossible 10 draft tho charter or
dinance in time for presentation to-
morrow night, President Il. Lee Peters
OF the Common Council. announced
last night that he would call a spccial
meeting Of that body Wednesday or
Thursday to receive the committees
report. ii is fully expected that the
Council will adopt the measure. which
VIII then be sent 10 the Board of
Aldermen for concurrence.
one obstacle. however. is the absence
from the city OF William H. Adams.
president OF the Board OF Aldermen,
who leaves Richmond this morning for
Runalo to attend a convention. In his
absence tho duty OF calling a meeting
devoipcs upon Joseph L. Powers.
vice president. Il is expected that
special meeting will be called
January II or -. and it was conf
IDENTIFY predicted that tho board would
also approve the suggested reforms.
PAPER WILL MEET
WITH STRONG OPPOSITION
That the paper will encounter strong
opposition, however, is admitted. The
refusal OF the committee to strike out
that section OF the report affecting tho
South Richmond Offices has caused in
diSnatiOn. and mass meeting of citi-
zcns OF that section has been called for
tomorrow night. This meeting will
be held in the Hastings Court, Part H..
and resolutions protesting against the
removal Of the court and the abolition
Of the municipal Offices south of the
James River are expected to be adopt
cd.
The Madison Ward delegation in the
Council may line up against the report
Tor this reason, while several members
OF the Jefferson Ward delegation are
known TO he violently opposed to the
proposed changes in the city govern
mcnt.
1t is not believed that the petition re-
Guesting the Council to call n special
election can be presented to the Coun-
ell for several weeks. 1t must first
b" filed IN the office OF the Mayor and
then sent TO the Council Before 60