The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-02-25
MAYOR WELCOMES HELP
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Committee Is Named TO Assist In
Framing Budget for the Year to
Confer With City's Hcao.
Conference Committee.
w. r.. Reed, James X. Gordon.
L. VI. Darlington. w. IL Sch
NyAr1Sa.iIiIl LII w Rntlnfrfse

warzschiid. III. w. Rountrce g
The chamber OF commerce after a
conference with Mayor George Ainslie
and his advisory board last night at
the jefferson hotel voted that q COM
m.ttee he appointed from their body
to so into the cityS 1919 financial at
fairs in detail and recommend Il solu-
zion of the question to the people of
Richmond.
This action followed long pro and
con discussion of the best way to tide
the city over another years expendi-
lures under the provisions of the new
charter. few men present were not
satisfied with the exposition of the
matter given with the mayor. wishing
a more detailed presentation OF the
financial question. hence the appoint
ment OF the committee to work the
matter out
The conference last night was one
of several which have taken place
throughout the city. The mayor
stated that nc was very anxious for
the people to know all about the
question ana that If the citizens of
Richmond could suggest any way by
means of which his suggestion to
the city council in regard TO FRANCES
could be improved he wanted to hear
of 1t.
Il welcome the appointment of Il
committee from the chamber of conf
merce," said Mr.. Ainslie, Il want the
full cooperation OF the city in this
question. and want al tho Aelp ] can
get in determining just exactly what
the city wants to speud upon Itself
this year. l propose to follow the
terms OF the charter to the letter. and
that Is why This budget matter has
! come up. | am the first mayor 10
ever have to estimate in advance the
financial needs of the municipality.
The mayor BROUGHT out that the
charter provided that If the income
of the city did not balance its expen-
dtures it should raise The difference
by extra lax. He stated that he did
not want to recommend to the coun-
ell an extra tax levy. but that it was
not constitutional 10 continue running;
into debt.
John Kerr Branch spoke in firm
opposition 10 the mayors plan and
disa greed with the facts shown upon
the chart used by the mayor. He
advocated q careful cut of the present
: tentative budget and recommended
that the city borrow money To tide
them over the hard times which were
coming following the war. IL. w,
Rountree agreed with Mr., Branch on
this matter and took part actively In
tls&A discussion This ,hody Us a. VIII oils,
did not come to any definite decision
upon the natter. most of them agro C.
ing, however, that the city's progress
must continue whether the necessary
M ney was to be borrowed or raised
by tax at / his time.
No discussion of the Roden bond
issue for road and street improve
ment nor OF the mayors new plan to
! let the schools run on special five
min levy, came IN at this meeting.
( The arguments revolved around
whether an increase in taxes was
necessary, and whether the city really
needed extra money. The mayor :
! brief description Of the situation was
| accepted with silence by the body
with the exception of several who
wished to delve into details. The
matter will come up after the report
OF the committee, when the chamber
| Will take definite action.
| Today the mayor will write to the
Retail Merchants association, the
| Civic association, and the Central
Trades and Labor Council, asking
! them to appoint committees to con.
! fer with him and his advisory board
at the same time appointed for the
| meeting of the chamber Of commerce
committee.
The committee of Ave appointed b,
President John c. Easley from the
chamber OF commerce are as follows
| w. T.~Readc. James r. Gordon, T. M
Darlington, w. H. Schwarszchild, and
| H. w. Rountree.