Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-12
WARD IMPROVEMENT
PLAN HOTLY ARGUED
Business Men Hear Discussion of
Methods Distributing Bond
Issue Returns.
DIVIDING FUNDS CONDEMNED
Sectional Use of Money Declared
Contrary to Spirit of New
Charter.
DIVIDING FUNDS CONDEMNED

Proposed distribution OF street fund.
according to the ward plan was de.
nounced as ubiquitous" on one hand
al the open discussion OF the subiec,
at the Business Mems Club yesterda
afternoon. and. on the other, was as
warmly defended as reputable and
just. Speakers on both sides discussed
the question with earnestness. but no
vote was taken 10 test the sentiment
OF the business men present
The gathering was called to order
pE 7. J.. Cadot. president Of the club
"no declared that good streets was a
pbressing necessity in Richmond, and
interest to all. For this reason he
DECLARED. the meeting had been called d
nooer, ;. crump., the first speaker
OF ward distribution. as adontea h~
the common Council. was step back.
ward. lie said that he had not come
IN contact with IA single citizen who
favored the plan. He believed tina,
- la would be just as logical to dis
biocks Of the city as among the wards
ne believed that all street work should
De done under general plan afactino
the city as whole.
Councilman Mill. for Plan.
Councilman Morgan r. Mills do.
ina, he had voted tor i, and nd if 'fS.a5sd he bsd
once .n eG more eTeF fFan If sss De b Gud vote for
had been made it was due. moi to tba
oouncilmen but TO the system of gov
the Legislature and Councilmen were
all. ne said. elected to represent ,he,r
eonsuiuenis and TO serve the interests
ihat these districts had a fair share
oi appropriations they were speedily
fssired iSa1 bd TO private life. lie also said
Works Boiling contemplated the i'm
provement o! streets leading into every
s.e matter OF OF sns e5y and TIA, as to the
was no great difference in the two
Then. II there is no difference. WHY
the funds?" queried Mr. Crump'
said id Ms IS Mif,s 5he human nan nature element,
OF the men who put them in once. aE ."'eS
Mr. Cadot AEninst Ward system.
Mr. Mills further, expressed tn,
pssnons,hi'j.. 9p.ni9n ,hs. there could be no rea
Wi,naat rsca II festuIey .aa 9.y ne sfnasa
| also that the Constitution OF the MAI.
should be amended SO as 10 permit O
abuttsnG property owners If there i
10 be real progress in paving or els,
there must be a reassessmen, Of nrop
mans "aseo on the values OF improve
Mr.; Cadot said that the scheme o,
i,,ia,,., marn distribution was the most
kichmond people. II was wronr -
principle and there was no reason ~ ~
excuse for il, 1t was contrary, he
OF government and ii would nor he
more illosica! TO apply the plan to the
Se",srs SdeM,srase system Mr.. ,Cado, further
ye'STra by Mr Rniii, snnt ne had been Informed
distribution adopted bv the Councii
seriously interfered with his plans for
improving the c!ty's thoroughfares.
Declares Citizens Indignant
hr T1l
ing taxes for 100 years had No, 20 ~
ceived the consideration that newer
hnrc PARIS OF m; The city had. He though, that
paved before new territory Vas In
MS opinion the ward plan grew on,
OF the fact that the people of many
been fairly treated. They we're in
dignan; and this Indignation was grow
ing. he said. He declared that ii was
IN Manchester or on Church Hil in
order 10 boost some real estate mans
holdings in the West End.
oony MY AttornsE Henry r.. Pollard was
that while he did not think ,ha. he
approved OF the ward plan in its en-
,,re,y ,ha he thought that something along
ciared that as the Councilmen are di-
rectiE responsible to the people they
ar are best qualified to determine matters
. Io'iSS. re oppressed the ODiniOn
that responsibility ought never to he
CENTRALIZED without the check of the
recall and the initiative and rcfcrcn-
aum. and said that he regretted that
ne new charter amendments. Indeed.
these features were not contained in
said he. big mistake was made m
amending the charter without n recall
feature.
Alderman Pulicr Speaks.
Alderman Pul,er declared that as an
original proposition he would have
voted TO leave the whole matter 10
seemed to he the spirit OF the charter
the Director Of Public Works. as this
amendments. However. now he WAS
disposed to vote for plan that would
guarantee an equal distribution OF
funds. He said that the action Of the
Council was simply due to a lack of
confidence The members were really
afraid that the money would not be
spent equitably.
Mr.; Pullcr said that the Councilmen
simply voted their honest convictions.
Ihere was nothing in the charge that
q grab bag" system had been adopted.
for the Council had no control over n
dollar OF the expenditures.