The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-14
Failure of Council Committee
on Ordinances to Get Quo
rum Stirs Up Signers
MEMBER OF BOARD
GIVES BROAD HINT
ABOUT PROCEEDINGS
Question of Time Shows Dit
ference of Opinion Between
City Attorney and Admins
trative Commissioner


ARE Of the council committee on ordi-
nances 10 get a quorum Tuesday after
noon. The talk that Nom hers OF the
committee remained away IN order 10
prevent action les not taken seriously
nv those who know the men on the
COMMITTEES. They do not for moment
believe that such men as Aldermen
Paul. Christian and Fuller. Council
men Romen, Cheatwood and lad
would resort to such tactics
True, fl was about the only meet
fng of the committee in four years, as
stated by Chairman Marx Gunst, at
which quorum failed TO appear. But
IL wa. "A mere coincidence that the
fanut occurred at this moment, when
everybody is watching the progress OF
the charter changes movement
Members OF IN committee were
busy IN private matters and their ex-
cuses were reasonable
A notable turn in the situation was
aprarent yesterday when II was learn
ed that three members of the Rich
| nond delegation tn the lower branch
OF The Legislature failed 10 uneauivocat-
/ " endorse the petition as forwarded by
city council Opposite the names of
| he egateS James f. Jones. Albert o,
| rcschen and James II Price the
" ,-as ,sbv request" were written Nj
4 Jora@ * a merchant the other Two
az LAWYERS Delegate CarrinEton s.
]awyer, and Delegate Fuller Is asso-
ch tad with soft drink manufacture
ina concern
9. was ~atf yesterday that the city
attorney takes contrary view with
u Bmlssioner Mccarthy ON construc-
tioa Of the law regarding the time for
action an tire petition signed ny rarrc
than four thousand voters CITY ~
torf.ey Pollard says the law provides
THAI council shall arrange for such ae
election AS that requested by the petit
TONERS not less than thirty days nor
more than fifty DAVE after council has
acted upon the petition. while Cora
m isaiouer MCCARTHY declares that the
council is required 10 act within ftty
days after the petition has been Med
with council.
Time Limit March rs.
The petition. with an accom- panyinE
ordinance. written by Ne city attor-
ney on request OF councilman Morgan
r. Mills, was presented at the nleetin 8
Of common council on February 4
According to Commissioner Mccarthy.
the date fer an election must ne fixed
some time before March Is And all
prospective candidates for charter
commissioners AZ such an election, ac-
eording m the commissioner. must he
given twenty DAYS prior 20 the cleo
ton within which to file their names
Under the opinion OF the city at
torney, II Is understood no action ia
necessary until the committee has re
ported back TO council. and that body
has sdorted the report
This. according to friends Of the pc
ttion movement, takes away the force
Of the law. by giving the committee
-,
delay Ectinn--hx failure to secure
uuorums. postponements and through
other methods. thus destroying the
spirit Of the measure
The people should he informed Of
this status of the situation" said one
OF the sfgners of the petition AZ CIT
Hall yesterday. IF the city attorney
Us right, then action may be delayed
on the petition OF the more than four
Thousand voters indefinitely. But II
Commiseioner McCarthy's corstrue-
HON Of the law is correct, then II seems
mandatory upon council to get busy
pr stand the consequences of their In.
activity
City Attorneys Opinion.
n. taking for granted that the CITY
attorney has given an opinion TO the
effect referred to above no further ac.
lion may be taken on the petition UNI
III the next meeting Of common coun.
Pill, on March e. Then the board OF
aldermen, which meets on March IL
will have to act. and then the paper
Hill have to go TO the MAJOR This
viii put of action (unless special meet
(ngs are heidi for one month. m
much activity on the part of mem.
hers of council the election may he
called thirty days after that date
which viii PUT Il along about Aprf
eE
". however the construction placed
pm the law by the petitioners" man.
Janus proceedings would be institut
pa to compel action. While there was
hothing definite to base this report
ipon, II was hinte1 at by Commits.
Toner Mccarthy himself In the com.
1sfttee room Tuesday afternoon, wher
was found that quorum of the or.
finance committee could not be OBJ.
aimed. despite every effort on thu
part OF the city clerk. the sergeant
lt-arms and the chairman of the com.