The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-16
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 1e. 1901
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

Continuing the discussion of the extern
sion of city conveniences into the outiy-
ing districts within the corporation, we
desire to say 4 word to the Council on
the danger of delay.
Property-owners in the Nest-End haze
been holding on for years and years hop
ing that the Council would do something
to improve conditions in thar section, but
their patience has been sorely tried. Some
have been forced to sell at a sacrifice. and
others may in disgust throw their proper
ty on the market and sell it FOR whatever
it will bring. IF that be done, this very
valuable property viii possibly fall into
the hands of people who are unable or I'M
willing to build fine houses, and il q num-
Der Of cheap houses be built on prominent
streets in that section these will largely
determine the character Of the buildings
to be erected thereafter The most promi-
nent and desirable streets in the western
section of the city extend into Lee Dis
trict, and as the demand for high-class
dwellings increases these streets will nat
urally he built up with such dwellings as
now stand on the same streets inside the
line of Improvement. But it is out Of the
question to expect people to build houses
of this character unless they can have all
the city OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES streets,
water, gas and drainage.
We would not put The Times in the
attitude of booming property in 3, particu-
lar direction. and we would be mortified
indeed to know that any of our readers
thought that we had any such purpose in
view in discussing this subject. We be-
lieve that the outlying districts in all di-
rections should be improved as fast as
the city can do so. But we believe that
it is TO the interest of the whole city at
this time 10 make the Improvements in
the West-End, for in SO doing the city
Will largely enhance taxable values and
SO provide itself with the means to make
improvements in other directions
We wish that the Council would send a
committee 10 Baltimore and Washington
and let the members ride around in the
suburbs and see the improvements that
are going on. The committee would find
paved streets and all the conreniences far
out beyond the thickly settled portions of
these cities. and would find new buildings
going up here and there in the wake of
such improvements. 1t is the policy of
these cities to offer inducements to prop
erty-owners to build. and not to make the
property-owners beg the city to give them
facilities for improving their property.
II any private corporation owned the
city Of Richmond, the board of directors
would not be long IN extending the con-
Neniences into the West-End, for they
would see at a glance that in SO doing
they would greatly enhance the value OF
their property in that section
But 1t is argued that the city has not
the means to make these improvements
We reply that where there is a Will there
is a way. and the city viii certainly be
justified in eSpending a comparatively
small sum OF money when it is as GER
tain as anything can be in this world that
by SO doing taxable values in a large sec
ton will be enhanced from 50 to 100 Der
cent. 1t would be most profitable for the
city TO make this investment, and, as we
nave tilcu 10 point out, 1t is dangerous
TO delay. The opportunity is at hand.
People are in the notion to build. and one
of the most astate and conservative citi-
zcns of Richmond, who has given much
time and attention to this matter, saws
that he is perfectly satisfied from what
propsrty-owners have said to him. that if
the city will make these Improvements If
~ houses will be started at once. But il
the Council postpones the matter these
citizens may get out. of the notion 10
build. or there Giay be a change in con-
ditions and the opportunity lost
IT is our deliberate opinion that the
Council should pursue a liberal and vigor.
Gus policy in this direction. raise a sub
stantial sum of money, AMI spend it in
putting that large and desirable building
district into condition. II such a policy
be pursued the good results viii soon be
forthooming.