Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-23

Newport News he did not deem IL ae-
sirable or expedient to extend the
limits of the city so as to take In the
proposed territory. He thought the
city would do well to take care OF
what 1t has within its limits; that
the rental value of his property IN
Newport News had decreased since
he had owned ii. AS citizen OF
Warwick, witness said that he
thought il was far from expedient
to have the proposed annexation; that
the county government is being con-
Quoted as economically as possible
and il 1880 per cent of the present
revenue is cut of. II will be absolutely
necessary to increase the tax rate,
now 80 cents on 500 for all purposes.
MFR. Massie wanted 70 know now
much OF the witness income as treas
urer would be cut OF by the proposed
annexation. Witness replied that his
revenues as treasurer would not be
reduced at all. as the county govern.
ment is conducted as economically
as possible. and IL the assessed yalua-
ton is reduced il will be necessary 10
increase the tax rate and that
treasurers' fees would have to be In
creased SO that there would be no
reduction in his income. Mr.. Massie
asked II the annexation OF the pro-
posed territory would not reduce the
expenses OF the county. The witness
said that this was so, and that, con-
seqrently. his former statement was
not literally correct.
Mr.. Curtis was on the stand when
court adjourned at o'clock for lunch.
Afternoon Session.
When court reconvened at 2
o'clock. by agreement of counsel, in
stead of continuing the examination
of Mr.. Curtis, Dr. w. A. Picker,
Health officer of Elizabeth City coun-
ty, was called to the stand. DR.. Pleck-
er stated that he, as health officer,
looked after the territory between the
Newport News limits and Salter's
creek; that some years ago he was
called in TO attend negro family
for mallpox at the upper end OF
Chestnut avenue. He did rot think
two sewers emptying into Salter's
creek endangered the health of the
community. He had never heard of
any disease on account of this. On
cross-examination. witness said that
a southwesterly wind might blow
ldisagreeable 0dors to the houses In
this territory. On cross-eXamination
nv tsr ut hot
did not know whether or not there
| is sewer system in the territory,
and that so far as he knew there was
no arrangement fer the removal Of
garbage.
| City Clerk Floyd A. Hudgins, o.
Newport News. summoned at the re-
quest of counsel for Elizabeth City
county to bring minutes and records
of the council bearing upon annexa.
ton. and reports of the finance and
retrenchment committees of the coun-
ell. was next called to the stand
Mr.. Massie objected to the tinro-
duction of either of these reports on
the ground that they had not been
adopted by both branches of the
council. After much sparring be-
tween the attcrneys, witness stated
that the retrenchment committee was
appointed upon recommendation ~
the finance committee. He said that
the report of the retrenchment com
mittee had been adopted in amended
form by the common council and laid
on the table by the board of alder
meE. Framing his questions in half
dozen different ways. Mr.. Cumming
endeavcred to have the retrenchment
report produced in evidence, but the
court sustained Mr.. Massie's objec.
ton that the report had not been
adopted. Exceptions were noted in
every instance Mr.. Cumming called
for the city's budget for the fiscal
year ending June 81. 1909. and a copy
of the budget was put in evidence.
Questions Ruled Out.
The court sustained Mr.. Massie's
objections TO all questions as to the
retrenchment program.
Mr.. Cumming asked IL witness had
not heard c. ID. West say repeatedly
that the city would face a deficit of
from ten to fifteen thousand dollars
next year unless there was a reduc-
ton in expenses. Witness had heard
Mr. West say that retrenchment was
necessary.
Mr.. Massie offered in evidence the
city ordinance prohibiting gambling
in any form. Counsel agreed upon
certain statements by Chief w. X.
Stow. Ct the Newport News fire de-
!partment. to avoid the necessity of
recalling the chief to the stand.
ID. s. Jones testified that he paid
about $500 taxes on property within
the city of Newport News. and about
5000 taxes on property in Warwick
Icounty. He owns property in the ter
ritory proposed TO be annexed Ask
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