The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-07
ARE OPPOSED TO
ANNEXATION PLAN
Continued from First Page,)

the territory on the Northwestern sec
ltory on its boundary lines, could com
pete with other cities for manufacturing
sites. Other cities exempted new firms
from taxation. ana while Richmond did
not do this the rate of taxation In the
county was low enough TO enduce new
establishments.
Mr.. Blair said he preferred the Mills
plan but believed the present ordinance
the only one that could be passed.
Answering a question from Judge Nicol
he said he had always Leen against
taking in the property of Major Dooley.
This could only be taken in for taxes,
and he thonght 1t unjust to take Major
Dooley's property in the lines of expan-
sion He was in favor OF taking in Full
ton HILL for it was I, place where me-
qhanics employed in the shops could
| build nice, comfortable homes and have
the benefit of city conyeniences.
Wanted Narrow Lines.
Mr.. John r. Grimes, member of the
Council from Marshall Ward. said he
voted Tor the Mills plan, AT first he
didn't favor any annexation, but after
wards favored the ordinance not taking
III so much territory. AS to the western
side OF the city he did not know much
aboht the conditions but he was not
in favor of so wide an extension on the
EASTERN side. Mr.. Grimes said he had
been living in the East End for years,
and no Improvements had been made in
sixteen years.
And he continued. ''if Colonel Cut
shaw remains city engineer. there never
Will be any improvements there"
The witness said there was no real
necessity for annexing Fulton Hill, be-
cause It was populated, to a large ex-
tent, by negroes. and that it would cost
Richmond as much to improve the terri
tory as It would be worth to the city.
Little Street Improvement.
Councilman Grimes resumed the wit
ness chair after dinner. In answer 10
| Mr., Wendenburg, he said that very slight
| improvements had been placed on the
cross streets north of Broad and east
| OF Twenty-sixth street within the past
| twenty years. With the exception of
| Broad Street, very little paving had been
| done on Church Hill. Twenty-ninth
| Street, lie said, was almost impossible
| AT this time. The revenues of the city
were divided among the different depart
ments. and the city couldn't AFFORD to
give more money for improvements in
| this section. Mr., Grimes is not n mem
Der of the Street or Finance Committees
of the Council. His opinion was that the
gas plant was in bad condition. a
skilled gas engineer could put tho plant
4 IN good condition. he said. and the money
for this could be appropriated year by
year. In his opinion the establishment
4 could not Furnish gas TO all the territory
proposed to be annexed He visited Bal
| tinore and Philadelphia, and found those
4 Giles far ahead of Richmond In the
matter of gas plants, Mr., Grimes testI-
lied that the police department hi Rich.
rnond Was insufficient In number. he
thought there should be several more
bluecoats in order to- properly patrol tbe
4 citX's limits,
An amusing incident occurred While
Mr. Grimes WAS on the stand under
cross examination, Mr., Meredith asked
him a question and before he could fin.
tish his reply Mn Pollard objected
The objection IL sustained, said
Judge Nieol.
How can Two attorneys. representine
tile same client do such as thls?" asked
Mr.. BraNton, who Was ON his feet in !
second. Here Is one attorney who ask,