The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-24
ANNEXATION.
The subiectt.gin It's Various
Phases Ably Discussed.


Editor ofsThc Times Dispatcf
Slr.-Yo,1r communication 1s Informing
me Of your request 10 Mr.. Eghcrt G.
Leigh, Jr., president Of the Chamber or
Commerce. for an expression of his views
limits, and of his reply that his connec-
ton officially will, the chamber, being
q recent one he was not sufficiently con
5factoriy. But that he had SUGGESTED your
milking tho same request of me, as
was moro fully posted. and that there
fore, you would be glad to have a letter
with regret, as am sure Mr.. Leigh
could have handled this Important topic
much moro effectively. In Difference, now
to his wShes and
toftthe considerations which rendered the
deeply Interested in this dues
ton of annexation.
Tho inquiry IN your letter was Arc
your in favor Of annexing suburban. Dis
8trlcts, and If SO, when do YOU think the
movement ought to Begin, While as
tramed yfaIur iafS me tha
an answer to &one III the case of Rich
mond, to; a. large extent answers y the
other. shall endeavor. however, as ftlr
in. their order. Z, 81
with a population Of 1855: that Of ) 1929 sg9
With 5000 or an increase 9v OF only ny Sop
RICHNESS of those figures was by some
called into question. upon grounds when
appeared to be reasonable as, tor m
which took place within the city limits
during that period Of ten years and,the
active demand for residences prevailing
Mt its close, 1t is still true that between
1880 and 1900 a large number Of our res ;s
ldents overfowed, or moved from Rlch-
mond. to suburban villas. which were
rapidly growing III certain outlying dis,
tricts and also that Immediately beyond
the corporate limits other sections be-
came SO thicky settled as TO all APP
pcaranccs to be scarcely distinguishablej
by the casual observer from the ADA.
cont city territory.
This situation was unfortunate IN a
number Of respects!
The community. from the census enllm-
GRAFTON, which Is consulted by the coun,
TRY at large, did not enjoygits deserved
reputation Of real progress; and prosper
ity, an Increase in population being gen
orally taken as nn index.
ii caused the cityin some sections to
be too closely built up, either from the
desire orfnecessity of many.totliv within
's boundares 9r from the nreoi it i4e
quence, in. an. undue md disprIoportionatte
/ advance in he cost OF building lots u !,
| is always desirable to encourage as far
as possible the ownership Of l,ca {, !,
Another, serious aspect OF the thlck
settlements JtlSL OulSltlSi4u lllc WI dct
lines OF the city Is that when any terri
tory becomes so densely populated It abb
, soutcly requires police and fire, protec--
! ton, A. sufficient number Of lights, good
! and abundant water supply, a sewerage
| system and good drainage, and all other
! proper sanitary provisions, such ms can
| only be furnished by a we'll organized
| city or town government, and the alb
sence OF tho provisions and supervision
| which such organized government AFFORDS
| will become a serious menace to tho
health. morals ana good order, not only
| OF those districts themselves, but to the
| city which they adjon.
Another very material consideration IS
the difficulty which has recently been ex-
pcrienccd III securing extensive sites for
largo manufacturing enterprises within
| the corporate limits, many of which, great T.
| ~ prefer, II they do not absolutely re-
/ uuire, ample fire and police protection,
| water supply and other urban advantages.
Instances can already be cited In which
in all probability we have failed to So
cure large and Important industrial en-
terprses from this cause. In one case
| a mammoth establishment for many
| months sought q suitable slto, and before
/ one was found action had to be taken
by the Council for closing an unimportant
street and granting certain other priv,
| leges. But after all the industry was not
l established here, possibly. because III the
meantime other arrangements We're IA
| vorably considered ana finally made. "
l anot her case for an ealaT or longer
period, n company having three germane
establishments at different points de-