The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-13
SATURDAY. OCTOBER IS. 1900.
suahh RICHMOND GROW 2

Does the City Council OF Richmond ex-
poet the city 10 grow? There is certainly
no evidence Of such expectation in the out
lying districts
Does the City Council of Richmond de-
sire that the city shall grow? There is no
evidence OF such desire in the outlying dis
;tricts.
There is a healthy demand in this COM
mu1.ity for more residences and there is
disposition on the part of number OF
citizens to erect new buildings in the
s,ieurss, but no inducements are offered
them on the part of the Council to do so.
There is a vast area Of splendid suburban
property within the corporate limits OF
Richmond, lying directly in the line Of
natural growth, but there are no paved
streets, there are no water mains. there are
no gas mains, there are no public sewers.
there are no street lines, there is no fire
projection, there is nothing in the way of
city conveniences in that section TO induce
anybody 10 build a house therein. If man
wants TO put up a new residence in this
city he must either build in somebody's
back yard or else he must put his house
out in an old field and wait until the City
Council Is pleased TO give him con-
vcnienoes.
We have it from good authority that
number OF citizens are anxious to build in
The western part of the city. but they have
no guarantee whatever. If they erect
future get water and gas and drainage.
How can the Council reasonably expect
people to build in the outlying districts
under such circumstances?
The last assessment shows a decrease in
The valuation Of city property, when
everybody knows That Richmond has made
wonderful commercial and industrial pro
gress within the past several years. What
is the Council going to do about il? How
are we 10 enhance the value of taxable
n arnestly commend TO the earnest con-
s:aeration of The Council. Clearly the way
TO increase taxable values is to offer in
dacements to citizens to put buildings
upon unimproved property. We sincerely
believe that If the Council would spend q
reasonable sum Of money in extending the
city convenences into the outlying dis
tricts. genuine building boom would soon
start in and the increase in taxable values
aouls be enormous as compared with the
expenditure on the part OF the city But
the Council cannot hope to see these out
living districts built up SO long as the
present state OF things exists.
We regard this IS the livest question be-
fore the Richmond public to-day II is
matter that we cannot afford 10 put OF.
When people are in the notion to build,
when there is a healthy demand for more
houses. then is the time for the Council
TO offer inducements. If we wait, If we
let it he understood that 1t is the settled
policy of the Council not to extend the
cpnveniences until new buildings have been
erected, depend upon II there will be no
building boom, snd IN the meantime the
demand for new buildings may have ceased
and the citizens may have gotten out OF
the notion TO build. The question is OF
Vital concern, first TO the municipality.
second TO property owners and third to
mechanics and dealers in building ma
terials. Ii is TO the interest of the munich
patty, TO the interest of tax payers, and
TO the interest of business men, working
men and all classes Of citizens that the
city shall; grow. and the Council as our
legislative body. as the board OF directors
80 TO speak. OF this corporation. should
s,estlr themselves in The mater and ofre-
every reasonable inducen,ent TO those who
haze The means and the disposition TO
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MoEE on THETEaNsCRIPIrs Ar
TiCI.i.