The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-04
PLAN TO REDUCE
COLLECTOR SFEES
Pollard Proposes to Cut Off
En1oluments Of High
Pay Office.
SITE FOR NEW COURTHOUSE
Proposition to Condemn Ford's
Hotel Block introduced
in> Council.
SITE FOR NEW COURTHOUSE

excitement over the State Fair
proved too much for the Common
Council last night When the gavel
Of President Peters fell, twenty-four
OF the forty members answered to
their names-a bare quorum II re-
quires, however, twentw-- eyen votes to
a az, money. to adopt the more
important measures pending. In view
OF the doubt of securing additional
members mem Mr.. Lynch moved that the
BODY adjourn to next Monday night at
s o'clock.
In secondtng the motion Mr. Pol
lock took occasion to rap dilatory mem
pers, ealing attention to the fact
mat II was twenty minutes after s
before or. there was even bare quorum
In the building. Several members an
nounced that hereafter they would in
sist on the meetings being called TO
order promptly at the time announced.
and If there were not working
Quorum present. would at once move
to adjourn, leaving to the absentees
IN. IA, burden Of explaining to their con-
Site for New Courthouse.
Two papers of - ortance were sent
to the clerks desk by Chairman ~ r.
Pollard, Jr.. Of the Finance Commit
ierred to appropriate committees next
Monday night. The first resolution
reads.
"That the City Attorney be, ma he IL
hereby, Instructed to acquire, by gift,
purchase or condemnation, the lot or
block Of land bounded by Broad street
on the north, Cnplto, street on the
south, Eleventh Street ON the west,
said tract to be used by the munich
pnlity for such purpose ms the Council
may dlrect.''
The greater part of this block Is
covered by what Is known as, Ford's
Hotel. an ancient building now vacant
and falling into decay, part of which
has been condemned. There are sew
eral old residences. but no modern
buildings an the remainder OF the
block.
City Hnll Overcrowded.
Mr. Pollard explained that 1t wac
becoming more and more evident that
the city would shortly need additional
room. all OF the City Hall offices being
occupied, while rooms are being
Office of City Chemist. The ultimate
plan is the erection of a city court
building on the lot. Mr.. Pollard said
that 1t was not his idea TO go. on with
the erection at once. but simply to
market, and before expensive improve
ments were made, which would In
crease the cost.
The City Hall heating plant is under
the BleNentn SlEetl S'pcNeih'
might readily be arranged to do for
both buildings. while in other ways
1t would be more satisfactory. and
economical to have the two city build
ings adjoining.
The other resolution to be offered
by Mr.. Pollard proposes substantial
reduction in the emolumerts OF the
Office Of City Collector, position de-
scribed by the chairman of the Finance
Committee as fifth wheel In the city
ing as a receiving teller for the re-
cent of such city taxes as citizens
elect to pay at his Office. Collector
Cunningham drew fees last year In
excess of $4,000, and under the new
CITY assessment, Mr.. Pollard estimates
that the fees of the Office Will exceed
| $4,000 a year.
The office is created by. legislative
| enactment. and would require chaI-
| ter change to abolish 1t. an effort 70
accomplish which will undoubtedly De
Meanwhile Mr.. Pollard proposes to
| save a part of the cost OF the office
bv reducing the commission from five
| eiphths to three eighths of per cent
on all money handled by his Office
The present ordinance provides
commission of flve-eighths OF I PEI
| cent. on all money collected and palo
into the city treasury. The action
| would mean a saving to the city or Z.
per cent of the present commissions
In addition to his commission1 ems, IT the : E
| office and office equipment and sta
J tionery and SO is at practically no eN
/ pense save for the payment OF a dep
l uty.