The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-04
GREATER RALEIGH
SEEMS A CERTAINTY
The Senate Committee In
CIined to the Bill.
EXPECTED 1T WILL PASS
A Lively Meeting Yesterday Afternoon When
its Friends and Foes Measured Warm
Argument Concerning City
Extension.

The Senate Chamber was filled yester-
day afternoon when the Senate Commit
tee heard the friends and opponents of
the proposed extension tell of Raleigh,
it's past, present and future.
The argument was vigorous on both
sides, and the speakers were applauded.
The most OF this applause was won by
Mr. F. B. Arendell. who spoke earnestly
for the bill.
No vote was taken at the close Of the
hearing but it is understood that the
report will be favorable. Senator Webb
gave ru,'ce that he migrt present some
amendments, and this is take mas an
irdex that Favorable" will be the re-
port.
The advocates of the bill were given
the opening and closing. each side being
limited to forty-fve minutes. this being
done on motion of Senator Webb.
Alderman F. w Habel. representing
the. Board of Alderman, spoke first in be-
half of the bill. He urged that the city
limits of Raleigh be extended and first
gave the details of the inception of the
bill in the Board of Aldermen.
The committee appointed by the Board
to obtain information as to the merits
of the extension, Mr.. Habel said, was
composed of one man Violently In favor
nf extension, one violently opposed and
one neutral. When there had iEyesti-
gated the matter the entire ecm'S;ttee
submitted = report unanimously in ia
for of extension. In the Board every
member Toted in favor of extension ex-
cept one, and this one had Ito;.rriy III.
~
As to the parties outside who would
be rax,G. Mr.. Habel referred to the Ra-
leigh Cotton Mill. and said that there
had been no feeling of malice towards
them, but that they were on the borders
of the city and should contribute to it.
He urged that the city needed extension,
and that for fifty years it had not had
its limits changed, being now in its
limits one of the most densely populated
cities known. The property in the city
had become so valuable that man of
limited means could not purchase land.
The postmaster says that Raleigh is the
smallest city in the country, which is
frst-class postoffiee The vast increase
of local bank business he argued was
another proof of the growth of the city
and the need for extension. Land contig-
uous to Raleigh had increased so in
value because of its proximity to the
city that it ought to be taken in as
part of the city. The water works con-
nections, the use of the citys streets.
The good roads leading outside the city
were paid for by the township. and of
this IS per cent was paid by the people
of Raleigh
Mr. r. H. Battle spoke against the bill.
He said that the petition opposing it was
signed by almost all of the people out
side and $50 in the city.
The Chamber of Commerce two years
ago had voted against extension and
within the two years a demand for a
bond issue to improve the city had made
an extra tax. Within the last two years
there had been little change in condi-
lions and extension now was as unde-
sirable as then.
1t was not understood that the adj
vertisement saying that there would be
an application for an extension of city
limits had been made. The advertise
ment was understood to be for some
thing else
The meeting of the Chamber of Com
merce held in February of this year he
said, was not packed against extension.
It's purpose was known and out of the
20 or 100 people present the vote was
I'VE to one in opposition to extension
The matter, Mr.. Battle stated. was a
matter OF sentiment and of business TO
hlm He did not believe that more than
l'ooO people or 300 voters would be adj
ded 10 the city The present tax received
IN Raleigh Is about sS0.000 and the por-
ton to be taken in would only add some
$4,000 with a heavy increase of territory
10 De cared for, too large to provide for
with the tax.
The whole population of Raleigh town
ship, sixteen square miles, he said was
about 10000 people. Taking in what they
desired would give no material increase
Mr.. Battle spoke against the PROPOSE
tion because of the bonded Indebtedness
He felt that the people outside should
not be called on to aid in paying this.
The beauty of the place, he held, had
been made because of it's compactness
being most beautiful place, but in the
limits could be found streets that were
mud holes. The increased area secured
would be a set back to improvement.
He said that he held but ten shares
in the Raleigh Cotton Mills, of which
he was 2 director 1t was started he
said, was by the Chamber of Commerce
shares being taken in small amounts
Here Mr.. ~ B. Broughton interrupted
to say that Mr.. Battle was mistaken as
to how the mill started, but Mr.. Battle
held that he was right.
The reasons for the establishing of the
factories outside of the city was be-
cause of the exemption fr0Tn city taxes
The purpose of some who subscribed to
it's capital was to decrease poverty and
add to prosperity. The people who work
i'm the mills and who live in the city
aid to build it up The city is now in
debt, so that it is selling school house
to the township for $4,000. The city
would bring in the Raleigh Cotton Mill,
and Peace Institute, and st. Mary's and
Oakwood cemetery and the penitentiary.
some of these desirable and others not.
A lively tilt occurred between Mr.
Arendell and Mr.. Battle at the close of
his argument Mr.. Battle had referred to
the Raleigh Cotton Mills and Mr. Aren-
dell asked if 1t did not have water con-
rection outside the city just as Mr.. Bat
tie did. Yes said Mr.. Battle, and
they pay for what they get.
e.