Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-18
wanted-A Big Man for n Big Job

IN the tenseness OF their interest In the
/ multiplicity of war work and events. and
in recent sensational disclosures at home
Richmond citizens have all but lost sight OF
the fact that they are almost on the eve OF
an election which virtually will revolutionize
their form Of municipal government. This
week the date will be fixed for an election at
which drastic charter changes, among them
the adjustment Of the Administrative Board,
will be the issue. That the changes will be
carried overwhelmingly there can be no doubt
The vast majority Of citizens demand them
the City Hall petition" drafted only as an
obstructionist measure, has been buried be-
You'd all hope of immediate resurrection, and
the proposed changes will become effective
on January /, 1919
Upon the manner and the spirit with which
these changes arc put into effect will depend
their success or failure. OF most vital i'm
portance will be the selection OF a director
of public sa fety, for he will in large measure
correspond in his duties and responsibilities
TO a city manager. Right here is where Rich
mond citizens must center their interest and
determination that the director must be
man who can measure up to every require
ment demanded Of him. Under his absolute
control, with power to appoint and remove
the chief. will be the Police Department. the
FIRE Department, weights, measures public
buildings and the construction, repair, main
tenance and safety OF private buildings"
With the welfare OF the city thus placed in
his hands, the director Of public safety
necessarily must be a man of far more than
average business and executive ability
That is realized in Richmond to-day more
than it ever has been before now that police
decentralization and vice conditions have made
the lack of such a capable executive so pain
city before the world
Where is Richmond to get such q man.
The solution of that important problem will
rest largely on the amount it is willing to
pay for his services. If the city is niggardly
it most assuredly will not get the man il must
have If he is to be successful man of
ability to handle the newly created iob as II
should be handled draw generous
salary IN any one of scores of occupations
therefore, Richmond will have to go into the
marker and compete for the services of the
one IL may select. If it is penny wise, it
VIII get only what it pays for, and in such
an event the amended charter will fail of
results and the change will have been futile
other cities have learned that a servant ie
worthy or his hire. and are drawing to their
"iu ne pest administrative brains the omen
market affords pe
'oie director OF public safety may
De found In Richmond, and undoubted,v will
pe II the salary is made sufficiently attractive
- Is hopcd that he will be- but if he is NOT
'hei hichmond must not hesitate to go a6ed
n i,, p'ch from among those whose services
VIII prlns the results that the neonIe do
''"lu' NO successful private cornoration
,es 'self TO home talent, and il is ,
-. ''oooed business proposition unon rh;oh
richmond is about to enter "n''h
Small politics. which has brought death -
'he administrative Board, and in divers other
ways worked to the detriment OF Richmond
must not be permitted to enter into tho .a1ao
'.oh OF the director, and his office must he ,,an.
liee from its perncious influence. Win ti,o
,, ~. hiha OF a director adequately maid
.neie VIII be no danger; with the wrong 1,ind
.e" means poorly paid one. it will sno,,