The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-01-02
RETIRES
FROM HEALTH OFFICE
May Attach Himself to International
Health Board For Virginia, With
Headquarters Here.
ALL CHANGES TO BE GRADUAL.
Director Myers and Comptroller Golfer
|. May Make Transfers in Their De.
parcmcnts For the Betterment OF
City Affairs.

DIR. Roy X. Flanagan yesterday af-
terhoon resigned as chief health offi-
Ger of Richmond, his resignation to
! take effect on or before January 10.
DR.. Flanagan assigned no reason for
this action, but it is known that he is
consid ering an attractive offer from
the international health board to act
as their representative in Virginia.
This work will be in connection with
the work Of the state board of health,
and will have to do with the general
health conditions in rural districts,
! principally, where the health boards
talreadys organized will not reach. The
already organized will not reach. The
he was not in position to say at pres
ent whether or not he will accept the
offer of the international board.
1t is not known who will succeed
DR.. Flanagan. 1t has been suggested
that no successor will be appointed, but
that DR.. Levy, director of public well
fare, will take under his personal
charge the conduct of the health de-
partment.
Changes Gradual.
RichmondAs new government OIL
cially went into effect yesterday, but
changes in the conduct of the city S
, business will be so gradual. 1t is said.
as to be scarcely noticeable at all.
New department directors state that
/ they are prepared to 60 slowly in the
new work of their departments, and
changes to be made will take place
only after due consideration and con-
sultation with those who are familiar
with the conduct of the affairs of each
division
A meeting OF the new advisory
board will not be called by Mayor
Ainslie today. nor VIII il be called to-
gether at all until business in the
shape of reports from the department
tai directors is ready to come before
it, Mayor Ainslie stated yesterday
that he wished 1t made clear the new
board was not body to deliberate
upon small matters of routine. but
that it would supervise the action
of the various departments which
would have charge of the details OF
business pertaining to them
William NJ. Myers, director of puN
lie safety. stated that not until close
study lad placed the situation well in
nand would he introduce changes
into the departments under his corr
ttrol. He thinks that there should be
some executive officer on duty at all
hours Of day and night at police head
quarters. and he proposes to take this
matter an with the chief Of police
at once. He also thinks 1t advisable
Ia Lave a similar officer of the fire
department on dt;ty. hut he declares
he will not make radical changes in
the present system 1ntil he has con-
! suited those alread7 familiar wsth tie
workings of theif various depart
TeTtS
Henry c. Golfer. city comptroller,
stated yesterday that he highly ap-
proved the proposed ordinances Gre
atifig the offices of purchasing agent,
claim agent and information bureau.
These ordinances were recently re-
iected by the board of aldermen.
, Through a purchasing agent, any ex-
! travagance or mismanagement in any
| of the departments where purchases
! are necessary, could be stopped. thus
saving the city money. City Attorney
! Pollard recently recommended that
| the office of claim agent be created.
stating that he was often embarrass-
| ed while defending damage sSnits
! against the city by lack OF suh in
! formation as should always be gath
/ cred Immediately after accidents and
claim causes. And the information
bureau would greatly facilitate conf
! munication in the city hall. would
l.. expedite the proper laying of COM
! plants, and with central telephone
! system would keep open the various
! lines of communication throughout
the home of the city's government.
/ Under the changed system of gov
/ eminent, most of the old and efficient
mployees- will continue without
change New directors, with the en-
! ception of Director Boiling, are IN
/ familiar with the work of their de-
! partments. for the most part, and
/ their hands will be full. Whatever
/ changes necessity will make win be
made slowly and after careful weigh
/ ing of all considerations, 1t was said.