The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-10
Mr.. Connolly Declares City Will
Have to Place Men Under Ar
rest to Stop Work.
POLITICS IN 1T, HE SAYS.
Beck and Others Deny Charge
That Decision Was Dictated
by Pollock.

In connection with the CONTROVERSY
over the erection of stores on Firth
Street, near Grace. in y fashionable res
idential section, Mr.. j. a. Connolly, OF
the real estate firm of Connolly & Co.,
representing Mr. j. y. Ragland, the
owner, announced fatty last night that
whatever the opinion of the Board OF
Public Safety might prove to be, the
buildings would be put up. Contlnu-
ing Mr.. Connolly declared that he
would wait Il reasonable time for the
board to consider the matter. but that
in view of the City Attorneys opinion
he believed that Mr. Ragland had a
right TO erect the buildings; that many
of the property who at first OBJ
jected had withdrawn their protests,
and that work would therefore begin
in a short time, and II the city author
tiles wished to test the matter in the
courts they might do so by arresting
the workmen.
Reaching Acute Stage.
In discussing the refusal of Building
Inspector Henry +. Beck to grant the
permit for the buildings. Mr. Connolly
did not hesitate to charge political in
nuence. making the direct allegation
that Mr.. Beck refused the petition I'M
der instruction of Mr.. Gilbert X. Pol
lock, a member of the City Council,
and that Ne inspector had feared to go
against Nj. Potfoclt's wishes. since it
was possible that he would be a can
didate for the position of City Engineer.
and was unwilling to have against him
so influential a member of the Council
as Mr.. Pollock
In reply. Mr.. Seek denied that there
was any impropriety in his taking the
advice of Mr.. Pollock, who was a men,
Der OF the Finance Committee, which
drafted the ordinance under which his
office is working. and who was no
doubt familiar with the legal aspects
z of the question
The situation in regard TO the crec-
ton of the stores is reaching an acute
stage. and the result will establish n
precedent which will affect the value
and use of property in nearly every
section of the city. Some weeks ago
Connolly and Company, acting as
agents for Mr.. Ragland. applied to
building Inspector Beck for permits
sion TO erect six small stores fronting
on Fifth Street, between Grace and
Broad Street. Mr.. Connolly stated last
night that plans had been drawn for
Itwo-story buildings, and exhibited n
lease which had already been signed
by n photographer and artist of Chi
cago who takes the corner store and
III 9nNoiiu moor over mat ana Two otis
ers. for q period of five years. Accord
ing to Mr.. Connolly the application was
laid before Mr.. Beck, and held by him
for ten days for consideration accord
ing 10 the terms of the ordinance
MeanWhile q considerable petition was
circulated among ueighboring property
owners Directing to the erection OF die
stores. the principal protest coming,
from DR.. Phil Taylor. the owner of the
adjoining property on Grace Street
Whit Connolly Charges. W
Connolly and Company presented a
counter petition, asking for the per-
nit on behalf of owners of l65 feet
o. Tie block between Fifth and Sixth
Streets, out Of total of 2e6 feet IN
the block
Inc owners OF tho Thornton Flats
and of the Walden estate are said t.
nave taken no part in either petition.
Mr. Connolly continued:
ON presentation OF this petition one
SATURDAY afternoon. Mr., Beck gave nc
to understand that he would gram
the petition, since there was no or
lection to the plans. and the City Al
torney had given a verbal opinion that
the Sutld!ng Inspector could rule onl,.
on t,io physical, and not the legal
aspects. OF the case. Mr.. Beck said that
out of courtesy TO the petitioners No
Wpulu seHu ior IHelr counsel, and
summoned MI. Eugene G, Masale, who
had appeared before him for himsel!
and other pruperty-owners In thu
ncighborhopd. NEhen Air Massie an
rived, he brought with him Mr.. Gilbert
X Pollock. "A well-known member OF
the Council Mr., Pollock at once pe-
gan speaking OF the dissertation Of Tho
most beautiful street in the most beau
tiful city and advised MIR. l,ecl
against granting the permit
"Alr, Beck asked II In the opinion 81