Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-05
Richmond a Unit for the Mayor

MYTH the cumulative power Of an ava
w lanche public sentiment in Richmond Is
sweeping along behind Mayor Ainslie's re-
quest that the Council authorize a salary
OF $4,000 year to the Director of Public
works. The city is aroused as it seldom
mas been over a municipal issue. and when
the Common Council meets Monday evening
10 consider tho request already approved by
the Finance Committee, it will find the
Chamber of Commerce. the newly enfran-
chised women's organizations civic associa-
tons generally. and practically all citizens
WHO have Rchmond's welfare at heart
standing as determined unit back Of the
Mayor. That the Council will disregard
such demonstration OF public sentiment,
even if it desired to do SO, is hardly con-
Ceivabe
Perhaps the most striking argument in
support of the Mayors position is the
parallel that has been drawn between mu-
nicipal conditions they existed in 1913,
outlined by Arthur Glasgow, and as they
exist today, Il parallel that was referred to
effectively by the Mayor in his statement
TO the Finance Committee. Richmond
knows now, that if MIR. Glasgow's advice
then had been followed by the Adminstra-
tive Board the city would have been the
richer by at least S1,2O0o00. Mr. Glas-
COWS suggestions for the rehabilitation OF
the gas plant could have been put into ef-
feet for approximately sSTS,0Oo. with, per-
Laps, $500 year for trained executive
But the Administrative Board ignored his
advice, and, when the rehabilitation became
imperative, it cost double the amount, in
money appropriated alone When Mr.
Glasgow made his report money could have
been secured for or 1-2 per cent but,
with the delay the rates advanced, making
Il heavy additional drain which the Mayor
overlooked in his statement to the COM
mittee. II was case OF short-sighted, bad
business municipal policy for which the tax
payers have paid approximately S1.5O0.00O
These same taxpayers, out of their bitter
experience, are in no mood to witness a
repetition in connection with tho Depart
ment of Public Works. They are tired of
the penny-wse, pound-foolsh municipal
planning. They realize that Richmond is
about to enter upon an era of city building
that Will neccssitate the expenditure OF mil
lions of dollars. Street extension and paw
ing, overhauling and extension OF the sewer
system, the walling in of Shockoe Creek,
and comprehensive planning for the city's
future call for the services OF a broad
visioned, carefully trained engineer That
sort OF man. in the expenditure OF the
citys millions. will save u hund red times his
salary in a single year A cheap man may
i-'iu tH' SitS " repetition Oh OtncT ca laITl-
tOus and costly experiences
There is no getting away from the facts.
Richmond citizens fully alive to the
vital importance OF the issue involved, and
that is why The Times-Dispatch is conf
dent that the Council, with the handwrit-
ing in plain view on the wall, will accede TO
the public demand that it support the Mayor,
the cty's sole responsible head Not to
do so would be 10 thwart the will OF the
people from whom il derives its powers.
BY reason OF typographical error in tho
news columns OF The Times Dispatch OF
Friday, December 3, ii was made TO appear
that John Kerr Branch, president of the
Chamber OF Commerce, in his address be-
fore the Housewives League and members
OF other women's and civic associations had
criticized the directors OF the various city
departments for their opposition to the pro-
posed cight-hOur-day measure. The word
according to Mr.. Branch, should have been
commented" instead OF "criticized." Mr.
Branchs support OF the city directors in
favor Of nine hours work for nine hours
pay has been firm and consistent from tho
start.