Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-30
HITCH IS ENCOUNTERED
IN CHARTER CHANGES
Question of Control OF Various De-
partmeuts Results in Some
what Heated Session.
WOULD PROVIDE FOR SAFETY
Unclcanly Conditions Found in City
Hall Arc Dcplored in Report Filled
by Committee, Which Holds Some
Arc Particularly Disgraccful

Although called primarily TO con-
slider recon nendations as to the hous-
ing OF the various departments of the
city government, last nights meeting
OF the SpcC;a. Committee Oh Charter
Changes finally resolved Itself into n
heated discussion of the propriety of
placing the electrical and plumbing in
spcction offices under the control of
the Director of Public Safety o. OF
Getting them remain under the control
OF the Director Of Public Utilities and
the Director OF Public Welfare, re-
Spectively.
This was the irst hitch the commit
tee had encountered in it's scheme for
putting the charter changes into oper-
rector of the Department of Public
safety. appeared before the body JUS
as II completed its housing proposition
definitely defined, contendinE that if he
was TO be held responsible for the
safety Of public and private buildings
he should he clothed with authority to
control the agencies designed to guar
antec that safety.
EMPRESS DESIRE TO HAVE
STATUS DEFINITELY DIlFINED
Messrs. Fuller, Powell and Peters de-
sired the matter Strengthened out at
once. Mcssrs Mills ana Rose were of
the opinion that the agencies properly
belonged where they were. and OPP
posed any suggestion that they be
transferred. IT was finally determined
however. that 4 legal problem was pre-
sentea. therefore, 1t was decided to
ION as TO where authority belonged
under strict Interpretation of the
charter
housing plans as submitted by Rob
crt Lee Peters and Morgan Mills, COM
priSihg subcommittee, were adopted
WITH W.T. practieaiiy no change. Building
inspector John II. Butler assisted the
subcommittee in making its plans and
an making blue prints of the several
hoors and rooms of the building. The
blue prints were submitted along with
the report.
COMPLAIN OF CONDITIONS
FOUND IN CITY HALL.
Cncleanly conditions found in City
RAJ! are deplored in the committees
report which states that conditions I'm
the HustinSS Cour; room are particu-
aTiE disgraccful. Ii is also stated that
INC present building is inadequate to
INC citN'S needs and Recommendation
is made that erection OF a now admin
istration building on the old Ford lot.
adjoining city Hall, be started as carly
AS TO the untidincss of the building,
ne report says the committee regrets
nc necessity which compels j, to re-
port that IL found the majority OF
me offices in an untidy and unclean
ccomdi oon, which should be corrected
Charter, the committee also recon-
mendS That the space in City Hall oc-
N'PiSN ny the commissioner OF Rev
enuc. the High Constable and the
treasurer be rented TO these oticiais
at the rate of 81 per year for each
! square foo; of space occupied
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE
FOR HOUSING DEPARTMENTS
Under recommendations made by the
conimittcc. the various departments
! VIII be housed AZ follows:
First foor--Maynr's Office. Department Of
FINANCE. Commissioner OF the Revenue De-
palI.men, OF Public Utilities and Treasurer.
Chancery Court. Circuit Court Hust!ngs
Court and sherin's Office
Third iloor--Counctl chamber, City Clerk
~. Nuilding Inspector. Department OF pub
nc Works and Circuit Court jury room.
Fourth noor--Dcpartmcnt OF Public We'll
iarc. tiyil Justices Court. Law and Equity
tooIt Department. Of Law. Auditor and
graph. -
MISUNDERSTANDING agent storage ba;-
IcrE rooms or fire alarm and police tnIc-
graph. storage rooms Department of PUN
nc Works. storage room Department of III
nance. Ianitors room. engineer and ma e.
f Ii;,., room itnntinGs Court storage room
iiiEh Constable Office and storage room
romeo Court and storage room. cleva tor and
machinery room, Labor Employment Blu
rcau. coroner's room, machine, shop
plnu for fnuncbfn,, {.amD,tp,,