Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-24
Richmond Cannot Afford to BE "Chcap"


Richmond Cannot Afford to BE "Chcap"
CHORTLi after the new City Council or
~ ganizes it will have before it for con-
tlrmation the Mayors appointments Of di-
rectors of the various city departments. The
Mayor has given no intiInation as to whom
he will appoint to these responsible posi-
tons. or il he proposes to make any change
in the official roster. Presumably, the
question is not whether the present heads
will be asked to serve again, but whether
an efficient organization can be held to-
gether indefinitely under Richmond's pres
ent salary limit. Public belief is that it
cannot.
Consider the facts. Richmond now pays
the heads OF it's four chief departments
and these heads constitute the Mayors adj
visory board-S5,000 Il year. When that
scale was fixed it was generally regarded
as being so niggardly as to preclude the
possibility of securing the type of men de-
handed. but the Council refused to be more
generous. 1t did, however, very broadly in
timte that if the Mayor found competent
men at this figure, more money would he
forthcoming after their worth to the city
had been proved through service. In this
respect Richmond has been more fortunate
than ii had Il right to expect. For it's Direc-
tor of Public Welfare ii secured man Of
national standing as health expert, and
the record OF today shows what he has
accomplished. And il was not altogether
salary OF $4,000 the year that brought
him here. for doubtless if he cared to do
so, he could market his ability elsewhere
ut figure largely in excess of what Rich
mond pays him. For its Director of Pub
lie Utilities, Richmond has had the services
OF man whose fitness has been proved in
the rehabilitation of the gas plant, and a
saving to the city in one year of more than
the city would pay him, ut the present sal
airy, i'll twenty-five years a man whose ser
vices arc in demand inv many highly paid
markets. Equally fortunate has Richmond
been in its Director OF Public Safety, which
has been revolutionized, moderniZed and
put on basis. the effectiveness OF which
commands admiration not only at home but
abroad.
Now, the question arises, Can Richmond
retain men, experts in their respective lines,
at salaries i'll no wise commensurate with
their proven accomplishments? Does it
wish 10 hold them at figures little il any,
more than can be earned by journeyman
mechanic? Is it just to them to try to
hold them at personal sacrifice? Should
they be expected to remain merely through
their love and loyalty for Richmond which
in large measure induced them to take up
crnmcnt was inaugurated? Can the city
maintain its sef-respcct when it consents
to accept such service for such cheap re-
muneration?
Richmond is not poor At heart it is not
cheap But it will be shortsighted il it
does not pay its department heads salaries
moro IN Keeping with tho Importance of
their positions-suflicien at least to hold
them here SO long they are giving value
received. And what is said here of the de-
partment heads is equally true OF the Mayor.
through whose efforts, notably in his budget
system, Richmond has been placed on a solid
financial basis for the first time in many
years.
Let the incoming Council consider these
things. Indeed, it must consider them for
tho public good. 1t must realize the i'm
possibility of securing and holding able men
for niggardly sums in these days OF insistcnt
demand for highly trained, efficient. public
servants. Richmond must not he shamed
longer by refusing to pay an adequate price
for what it gets.