Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-04
A HARD FIGHT.

4
| for the erection of new police station.
| The result of the meeting is entirely
| colorless, however, since the chairman OF
| the Finance Committee stated quite
| emphatically that the members q
the Council were one and all
pledged not to exceed the budget, and
he did not think there was the slightest
chance Of the suggestion being adopted.
The Fire Commissioners were the mas
ters of the situation, and the meeting
ADJOURNED with an understanding, that
If the Council fails to make the appro-
priatiOn within sixty days they will
abandon the building and build a new
engine-house out of the money appro-
priated for the Fire Department. Both
boards are anxious to move further west,
and neither thinks the present location
suitable or desirable. afsz
POLICE UNCOMFORTABLE.
When the conference was called to
order Mr.. Laube said that it is quite i'm
possible for the police of the district to
be comfortable as long as the building
is occupied by both departments. About
fifteen months ago, he said. the subject
was first preached and the Police Board
appointed committee to select a site
for a new station. This was done, plans
were drawn, and the cost of the building
was estimated at 5000. The Council re-
fused to appropriate the money, and 1t
was hung up.
Mr.. Frischkorn stated that a committee
of the Fire Department had visited Balu-
more and other cities, in order to get
IDEAS for the construction of new
building for fire apparatus. The Fire
Commissioners had agreed that the pres
ent quarters were too close to Station No.
A. and as the city is rapidly growing in
the west, it would be a great advantage
to move five blocks i'm that direction. To
this end the board had been represented
before the Finance Committee, and pro-
position was submitted for the purchase
of lot, but the matter did not pass the
Council. He believed that under the
charter the Fire Board had authority
TO move it's quarters without consulting
the Council.
There was a lengthy discussion along
these lines, i'm which it was developed
that both boards were anxious 10 leave
the old building, and neither would take
the initiative in recommending plan by
which the other might find loophole to
slip through.
LET THE BOARDS JOIN HANDS.
Mr.. Laube said that If the two boards
would join hands Il would be an easy
matter for the police-station TO be re-
moved and the entire building turned
over to the Fire Department.
Captain Taylor said the present ar
rangement was great nuisance, and
very material injury to the proper func-
lions OF the Fire Department.
Mr.. Frischkorn urged prompt action.
1--WE don't want to talk about it for
fifteen months longer. If the matter is
not arranged, we shall move out"
Mr.. c. f. Taylor said the Fire Board
had not committed itself as TO whether
they wanted the building or wanted to
get away The point has been. he said
that If we can get the police away we
could remodel the house but If this Is
not agreeable We are in a position to act
for ourselves. The question for the con-
ference, he thought, was to decide
whether or not to give the present build
ing to the Fire Board If it would be
accepted. The Fire Board, however,
placed themselves in a position TO build
a new house In any event.
Mr.. Laube asked the question point
blank whether the Fire Department
would or would not move, and Mr.. Tay-
Tor replied that they were not prepared
TO say.
Mr.. Laube asked that the Fire Com
missioners would say definitely whether
they wanted the building or not.
Mr.. Taylor said that the question was
as to who would make proposition to
move.
Mr.. Laube: We have made a PROPOSE
ton to go away; we have done every
thing in our power.
Mr.. Levy asked what reason the Police |
Board had TO think that they could get |
S, 900 from the Council.
POLICE ASKED NO HELP.
Mr. Frischkorn asked whether the va |
cation of the building by the police was |
conditional upon a contribution to the |
building fund for TIE new station from |
the Fire Commissioners.
Mr.. Laube replied that il was not, and |
the Fire Commissioners asked leave to |
withdraw for a private conference.
After the conference, Mr.. Frlschkorn |
said the commissioners were ready TO |
help the Police Board, and would let the /
matter rest until a reply could be re-
ceiyed from the Council, setting the limit |
at sixty days. IF the Committee on |
Police" he said, will ask the Council |
for s., 600 TO build a new police station, we |
will remodel this building q our own ex-
pense but If there is no satisfactory an
swer within sixty days, we shall go ahead |
and carry out our plans"
MIR. Laube took exception TO the condi-
ton. and said that the conference could |
not put itself in the position Of debating |
to the Council. IL the impression went
out that the Fire Department was in
the Council would say that II /
would be useless TO spend the money, If
the Fire Department had IL 10 spend.
GETTING TOGETHER.
Both sides expressed great anxiety 20
help the other and members OF both
bt rds dsclaimed any intention OF fig
al ng as the under dog"
TAere was some lively pickering. and
Mr. Hardwicke took hand In the dis
russion. The present Council. he said,
was pledged not TO exceed the appropria-