The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-17
PEOPLE In
THE COUNTY
Shall They Be Allowed Any
City C0nvenlenCes?
THE MATTER is DISCUSSED
Animated Debate Over Request from
a Henrico County Man, Which Is
Finally Referred for Set
item ent.
tlement.

Action taken yesterday afternoon by
the Street Committee, In session at the
City Hall, looks much US If it will result
IN the denial to residents In the outlying
sections Of certain long-standing privi-
legeo In reference to connection with city
sc wers and SO OH. While no direct de-
cision to that effect was made, those
fighting against the continuance Of the
practice succeeded by q good majority in
having the request, made the incident for
the discussion, referred to q special COM
n,ittee Of three members.
The matter came up III connection with
an ordinance referred to the committee
by the Common Council, PERMITTING Mr.
j. A. Helsler, No. 2311 Grove Avenue.
resident Of Henrlco county, to have the
privilege Of using the city sewer. One
side OF Grove Avenue, 1t will be recalled,
is in the city, and tho other IS not. Mr..
Eeislcr lives on the county SIDE
HENIRCO PETITION.
Mr.. Minor at once arose to discuss the
ordinance. He said he had q petition
from number of Henrico people who
wanted the same privilege, and he wished
the committee would decide once for all
what 1t would do. IIe referred to the an
ncSation fight now up In the legislature
TIE cities We're trying to stretch out and
annex outlying territory. The counties
were fighting the proposition and wished
to have the question submitted to the
people In the section to be annexed be-
fore 1t could be decided. If the commit
tee allowed residents Of the county to en-
Joy city privileges, they would never
make any active effort to get into the
city. While they might not oppose It,.
they enjoying the privileges already.
would certainly not be sufficiently inter-
ested to go out and at the voting places
exert their influence In favor OF anneXa-
tlon.
1t was moved by Mr.. Wh..tet that the
ordinance be recommended favorably to
the Council, He said he voted for 1t sole
ly because 1t was a health measure. and
health cannot be computed In dollars
aud cents" He knew moreover. that
these people who were enjoying the priv
ileges were willing and anxious to be
annexed Mr.. West arose to make tho
sta tement that he had in his hand a Pc
tition from nine residents Of Floyd Ave
nue., who wished the same privileges as
that desired by Mr.. Heisler. They were
all willing to pay the difference in the
taxes
In the opinion of Chairman Allen the
residents in tho outskirts would never
come into the city ii they enjoyed all the
facilities already. He was in doubt If
It was really a health measure as Mr.
Whitlock said. The practice had begun
with Grove Road and was spreading to
Floyd Avenue. as evidenced by Mr..
Vests petition. 1t would go on spread
ing, and the committee could not deny
people in Barton Heights and Fairmount
and favor those on Grove Road Major
Allen did not think the committee. had
right to build sewers at the expense OF
the city, and then allow outsiders to use
them.
Mr. Peters declared that the matter
was vital one in It's importance, and
that 1t was time for the committee to PIT
its foot down on the practice of permitting
privileges of his sort to n-resldents-at
least until It was known what wau the
issue in the annexation fight now pending
in the Legislature. He offered substi-
tute, providing that the request OF Mr.
Heislcr be referred to a special committee
of three &
After some discussion the substitute
was adopted as follows: 4Ayes-Adams,
Allen. Burton Mann, Minor, Peters, West
and Willlams-S. Noes-Bahen. Phillips,
Teefey, Whittet and Otway S. Aliens.
Chairman Allen said he voted against the
substitute because he wanted the thing
stopped "then and there"
The committee was then appointed as
follows: Mcssrs. Peters. Mann and
Whttet.
WILL RETURN TIE LOT.
The opinion Of the City Attorney and a
communication from the Common Council
with reference to the best means az
reopenins and regarding Clay Street from
Bowe Street to Lombardy were laid an
the table,
The street It will be remembered was
closed at the instance CT the Continental
Tobacco Company which announced its
intention of operating big plant. The
plans of the company didn't materlalize
ana q movement was made to get tho
street back again. While the opinion of
the City Attorney is to the contrary, Il
is held by many members that tho onlv
thing the city can do is to condemn the
property and buy it in.
Chairman Allen relieved tho situation
last night. He said he had received as
surances frIn the gentlemen Of the COM
pany that tho property would be returned
to the city. They asked for few weeks
longer, however. All has not been de-
c,oed tpout the plant, and 1t Is just pos
sihle that 1t will be built yet. If it is nor
however, tho city Will have no trouble
about reopening the street. In view of the
statement of Major Allen. tho committee
laid the matter on the table.
OTHER MATTERS
quite n mass Of routine business was
transacted by the committee. The ordi-
nance with reference to the opening Of
fandolph Street was laid on the table,
and that referring to underground wires
went to the subcommittee. Bills were Or
| dered rnid and so on
a delegation from the Master Plumbers,
Association appeared before the commit.
| tee In behalf of an ordinance provdinD
that in making sewer connections tho
plumbers be permitted to keep within the
property lines. This would give tho CITY
cohtroi OF Its streets. The matter was
referred to committee. composed of
Messrs. Peters. Minor and Phillips wifi
instructions to report at the next meeting
! which 1t was decided. under SUSPENSION
of the rules. to hold on February eth, in
stead Of the 2Sth.