Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-11
CHARTER CHANGES
SENT TO COUNCIL.
After Stormy Session, Commit
tee Favors Abolition Of Ad-
ministrative Board.
BITTER OPPOSITION SHOWN
Mccarthy Says Board FIas its
Petition Ready, and "All Will
Go Down Together"

After numerous amendments of n
minor nature. the Council Committee on
Charter Changes shortly Mtcr mid
night this morning voted to recon-
mend to the Council for adoption the
report OF it's subcommittee. advocating,
more centralized administration Of
the city business and providing for
greater efficiency and rcsponsi ibili;y in
municipal affairs. The paper in its
entirety. after being approved section
by section, was carried by a vote OF
& to at tho close OF one Of The
s;ormicot sessions held in the Council
chamber in recent months.
The vote was: Ayes-.Aldcrman
Puller and Councilmcn Peters, Powell
and Rose. Nocs-Aldcrmcn Ada ms and
Workman end Council Mills
AS adopted the committees report
provides as follows:
Abolition OF the Administrative
Board. the Board of Fire Commission
ers. various Offices in South Richmond,
City Auditor, City Treasurer and tho
Police Court, Part II.
Removal of the IIustinss Court
Part II. 10 the City Hall. with it's
Jurisdiction confined entirely to, civil
matters; the broadening of the Mayors
powers and tho appointment OF a pur-
chasing agent by the Council.
Creation OF six general departments
to administer the city'e affairs. four
OF which will be under the Mayo-:
creation OF an advisory council oc four
members. selected from department,
heads. excepting those of the law md
nnance departments, TO sit with tho
Mayor.
All changes TO be ratified BY tho
people. after being approved BY Tho
Geaerhi Assembly
OPPOSITION TO CHANGES
Is MOST BITTER AT TIMES
Opposition to various sections of the
'eport was oittcr at times, and notice
"' served on several occasions that
great activity would be rcsortcd to 10
Nh IL when 1t came before the people
t9f tatihcation. Captain Carlton Nc
army OF the Administrative. Board,
VINO sPokc for two hours before the
committee; Alderman ". w. Work
man OF madison Ward, and Council
man Morgan i. Mills, or Jefferson
ward declaring that they would use
e"ort TO defeat any such plan
iPai government.
M!. "esEinan. in opposing the pauo-
!" us entirety. declared that he would
oe party TO suit to force the civ
oS ma damus proceedings, to live nm
s contract IN The agreement made
"hel' manchester was consolidated
AiteI more than two hours had hoe,
consumes In discussion. just as Tn.
committee began TO take up the sinh
committees report section b. sectio,
captain Mills exploded bomosheu IN
inc committee. He offered. as s,,h-
stitute for the entire report. a reso1u.
uon requesting the General Assembly
ior permission TO call a special clec-
tioh' TO determine whether or not the
mode of government be changed. and
II change were to be made, 10 elec,
charter commission
silence reigncd supreme in the room,
as he made this announcement. II
came as a shock TO other members IF
the. committee and 20 the large audi
cnce crowded into the Council Cham
Der. The Committee. however, had been
prepared for startling deveIopment.
when Captain Mccarthy had declared
that I'VE have the petition which will
force You TO place the matter before
| the people. Make no mistake. II we
go"-havinE reference TO the Admins
trative Board--"we shall pull the house
down with us. Wen all go down to-
gether."
SIcCARTHI SAYS BOARDS
CHARTER PETITION IS READY
In Offering his substitute. Captain
Mills declared that ii was designed as
a cooperative measure. and for tho
purpose of expediting matters. Con-
siderable time would also be saved. he
said. for Captain Mccarthy had prcvi-
ously declared that the petition. con-
tanning the names Of 90 per cent OF
the qualified voters OF the city, was
ready for presentation to the Council
That petition. as 7 understand the
law. makes our action In the matter
mandatory. we shall be forced 10 call
an election, and this cork we are now
doing will be Of no value. We can go
CONTINUED on Third page.)