The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-09
TUESDAY. NAY .. 1905.
To the Board Of Aldermen.

rho advocates Of greater expansion
have had and still have but one object
In view and that is the development OF
Richmond as modern, progressive ana
growing city. They have shown by the
figures that for its size Richmond Is
the most congested city In the United
States They have shown also that
health conditions here do not compare
fnvorably with those of other cities and
they have shown that in numerous cases
two and three families arc occupying
the same house for the simple reason
that one family is not able OF itself to
pay the rent of the whole establishment.
Taking these facts into serious considera-
ton, rs they have done. the advocates
OF Grenter Expansion conclude that
there is a logical relationship between
cramped quarters, bad health and high
rents They can find but one logical
remedy for this condition and that is
the enlargement of the city's territory.
They find very few vacant residence
lots in the city and very few desirable
factory sites. They have communicated
with manufacturers in twenty-eight
cities and the testimony is overwhelm-
ing that manufacturers desire that their
factories be located within the city
limits and that the factory operatives
live within the city limits and near to
the factory The testimony Of such manu-
lecturers Is that the excess Of city tax
alton over county taxation. is far more
than compensated for in necessary city
conveniences. fire protection and police
protection.
Therefore, in the interest OF health and
comfort, and the manufacturing industry,
upon which Richmond must depend for
its life and growth. the advocates Of
Greater Expansion insist that when the
lines are finally drawn they shall include
plenty OF lots for cheap residences and
for factory sites and that the interests OF
few individuals must not be allowed to
stand in the way Of such expansion.
We commend these facts and arguments
20 the Board of Aldermen. This ques-
ton has been discussed over and over
} again and a compromise measure has
been agreed upon. This compromise is
formulated .aha expressed in what is
known as the Lynch-Minor plan and..that
plan should be adopted without fail.
Z 1t is backed by tho Chamber Of Com
mercc. 1t Is bcked by the Joint Commit
tee Of Progress and we believe that 1t
is backed by an Overwhelming majority
r Of tbo citizens of Richmond q
81 Let It be remembered also that the
action OF the Council and Board of Al
dermen is not final The plan adopted
will be taken into court and all persons
interested Will have the opportunity at
the proper time TO appear with counsel
and submit evidence and present argu-
IHent. and when the testimony shall
have been reviewed and the argument on
every side shall have been heard tho
court will decide whether or not the
plan Is good. II there Is any serious
defect in the plan, abundant opportunity
will be afforded to point 1t out In court
If any Individual property owner Is un-
justly treated lie Will have abundant
opportunity to go into court and make his
plea and the court will see that his rights
arc protected. There Is no reason 10 de-
lay this matter longer, Let us adopt the
Lynch-Minor plan and submit 1t to the
court.