The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-23
Guaranteed Street Fund
Fixed at 30 Per Cent.
by Majority Vote,
THREE REFUSE TO
GIVE THAT MUCH
Conference Committee Agrees on
Plan for Union of Cities,
Which Will Be Presented to
Council for Speedy Pass
age - How Vote
Stood.

Conferees appointed by tiie common
adjust the differences between the TWO
branches on the ordinance for the con-
solidation OF Rinchmond and Manches-
ter reported yesterday, BY vote or
To 2. n substitute for the disputed Sec
ton. making the guarantee tor street
work 80 per cent. of the receipts. me
conferces adopted the soaru aiheiio-
ments as to the elimination Oh gas re-
cetpts from the percentage. ana also
.s'tn thc elimination of the clause pro-
vtdina. for paving sidewalks out OF tho
street fund, admitted TO be OF douot-
full legality in view of the charter pro-
visions OF the city of Richmond.
Alderman Richardson filed notice
that he would present minority re-
port. which the other two members OF
| the ooposition Messrs. Gentry and Cot
tre1,' indicated that they wnuld sign.
,rhev asked that the Council be not
| called until they have time to prepare
their report Mr.. Richardson explain
ed that he was not opposed 10 anneSa-
ton. and that he thought Richmond
should build the bridges. tic was OPP
posed to the court provisions. ne sald.
and IN any guarantee tor street work
sav,nsr that Manchester should come in
as ward OF the city and take its
chances on securing appropriations
with other wards.
Estimate Excessive.
a two-hour discussion was given 20
the question of the cost entaileo on
Richmond by the union under the
terms of the ordnance IL was
brought out by questions from ona1r,
man Mills that the City Accountant in
his estimate of tho cost to Richmond
for maintenance for five years had In
cluded many items not guaranteed I'M
der. the ordinance, but which would
probably be allowed to the Southside
if IL becomes a constituent part OF the
CITY, number of other items IN the
estimate We're held to be excessive
The opposition members presented
No argument for or against the merits
OF the union of the cities. but content
ed themselves with sparring Tor time.
Mr. CottrclI argued at length against
the composition of the committee, Your
from each branch. holding that II
should have been made up OF an odd
! number. and that the presidents
| Should have named men in accord With
rho majority view IN their respective
| branches. Chairman Mills ruled that
| the committee was properly const-
I tntcd under the rules of tho Council
| and said that the matter OF the APP
| rointnents was entirely in the hands
| OF the presidents. Mr.. Adams held
| that the committee was ideally con-
| stituted. since all shades of differing
| views were represented. Assistant
City Attorney Anderson informed the
| COMMITTEES that since the amendments
] were in subsection r of section II, 1t
was his view that the whole Of sec
! ton II was before the committee Tor
review in making a compromise agree
ment
Exceeded Terms OF Contract.
WAY
shaw was called on to answer num-
Der of questions propounded by Chair
man Mills, to show how his estimates
as to the cost to Richmond had been
obtained. He admitted that he had not
allowed for the proba BILE fees and al
llowances which the State will assume
for the court officials, City Sergeant,
and Assistant Commonwealth's Attor-
Iney, merely allowing for the States
part of the judges salary. Mr.. Mills
held that there should be credit OF
$1,000 year for State fees. Maury
Cemetery. for which Keepers salary
and expense account had been charged,
was shown to have been more than
; self-supporting for several years past
Mr.. Mills also disagreed with the &C
, countant as to the probable cost OF
maintaining schools in Manchester. MT
!, Crenshaw said he had allowed for 100
) street lights at s54.75 each per year
: the citys present contract rate. Mr.
Mills asked If 1t were not fact that
: Mr.. Traftord had stated on the floor OF
: the Council that street lights from the
municipal plant, including interest or
the plant and depreciation, will not
q exceed s36 per lamp.
!, "My estimate is the gross cost OF
maintaining the ward" said Mr. Cren-
:. shaw. II have not allowed for the
s credits Mr.. Mills calls attention to-
III Then l figure from $4,000 to $40
: 600 year in credits from your estl-
mate" said Mr. Mills. las not guaran-
teed under the terms OF the ordinance
fhat would bring your estimate OF
$4,000 a year to S134.000 year
which Is less Manchester's estimated
j revenue Of $4,000. leaving the annua
cost to Richmond $4,000, providing
Rlchmond does not make allowance
Tor liberal city improvements in en-
4 cess OF the contract agreement. Ever
II on the basis of maintenance Of al
CITY utilities, which we anticipate
though not actually guaranteed
the ordinance even on the most liber
al basis OF treatment would not cos
RicnmoNd $4,000 year"
q BUSINESS Manager Dabney, of thu
d ChaHpcr OF Commerce, spoke Of tn
It commercial advantages to be gained
p by the union and the backward stel
- 49, !" 't'u ue taken py permitting I'M
:. negotiations to lag at this stage III
~ called attention to the fact that NJ
ia allowance had been made IN the est
mates OF cost 70. interest on the sink
50 ing t:nc, or for the reduction OF In
*, terest on callable bonds from s t
~ per cent. Mr. Crcpshaw said tina
er hlcnnond spent in the year 1905. eS
10 elusive of interest and fixed charges
Z an average of $4,000 in each of tn
ID seven richmond wards. In 1909 tn
es cry spent s2l2,oSO In each ward.
Az, How They Voted.
X Aiter further debate Mr. Adams or
lis le,ea compromise motion, which, n
mt salG' nc helieved would meet with son
en- e.al approval on both sides OF IN
nd t.ger' reducing the guarantee as orig
a. natiS recommended from 40 to 80 pc
- I'm" and leaving the remainder
AZ ,,s eIause as amended In the boara
n, niaerHen, as to the sidewalk elim'
'1 no. ana gas exemption.
ad INC original Board of Alderme
id. a.Heenuinent put the street Guarante
an ~ ~ per cent The vote on the Adam
rot r, A, ~, Adams. Fuller. Mil
SIN LAWS hni Gilman.
- and So1G,s CO. ccttrell, Rlesardso y