The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-09
MAY REACH CRISIS
MORR0VIN|GHT
But General Hope Is That Con-
so1idation Question Can Be
Settled Finally.
BUSINESS PEOPLE URGE Iii
Commercial Organizations Q
Two Cities Demand
Prompt Action.

Negotiations for the consolidation of
Richmond and Manchester Will reach
u crisis Tomorrow night, when nthe
committees from the two cities meet
in the Richmond City Hall for a final
agreement or disagreement. The COM
rnercial organizations in both cities
have taken strong ground fayoring i'm
mediate action since the last meeting
of the committees.
e In the Manchester and Chesterfield
Business Mems Association the resolu-
tons favoring union were adopted with
but one dissenting vote, that being j..
g. Saunders, City Sergeant OF Man
chester, believed to hold one OF the
most lucrative Offices in that munici-
pality.
At the last meeting of the commit
tees Chairman II. r. Pollard, Jro OF
the Richmond committee, issued his
ultimatum. He stated plainly that HIS
associates were tired of haggltng and
splitting halls; that an agreement had
been drawn up between the commit
tees in good faith, and that 1t was now
for the people OF Manchester to take
the proposition or leave 1t. without
interminable delays of legal argument
over Nne-spun suggestions or what
might or might not develop in the DIS
tant future.
part OF RIchmond.
Practically the whole OF the last
session of the committee was taken up
with attempts to secure amendments
to the agreement which will keep the
Commemorative Attorney OF Man
chester in office, and which VIII pro-
vide for permanent reelection from
term to term OF the policemen and
fremen OF the lesser city.
Chairman Pollard takes the ground
that IL the union Is to be effective
Manchester will become In fact as wen
as in law a part OF Richmond. and will
be entitled to everything other CITIZENS ll
OF the consolidated city can secure.
More than that. he holds. Manchester
should not ask. Manchester commit
teemen, on the other hand, have con-
tended from the first that in giving
up their separate identity, their ma
| cllinery of city government, and In
serving to swell the total OF Rich
mond's population. the Southside city
| should drive as hard bargain as pos
| sible. and TO that end the committees
stood out in drawing the original
| agreement for maximum of expen-
| diture on street improvements, build
ing of bridges, sewers. water mains.
/ gas extension. alley and sidewalk pay
! ing: securing concessions which dur
/ ing the first five years of union Will
4 require the expenditure In Manches'
| ter OF FIVE times as much in street i'm
\ provement alone in each of the five
/ years as has ever before been spent
! by Manchester in any year of Its his
tory.
Many Amendments Offered.
Since the agreement was drawn last
4 November, the Manchester committee
/ and It's two successive City Attorneys
4 have spent their energies In writing
4 The business men OF the two cite:
i have taken the matter in their owr
! hands. one of tho speakers at tht
meeting Of the Manchester and Ches
terfeld Business. Mems Association OF
Friday night declaring that the petit.
] grasping of the Manchester COMMITTEE,
was an Insult to the intelligence O.
the people OF the Southside City, VIII.
4 should be allowed to settle the mat
u ter OF the polls. In the meeting Of the
committees from the commercial or
II ganiZations OF the two cities. 1t wa
Il freely stated that the differences wer
/ of minor character, and not such a
should be allowed to block such pro
I ject.
Delay VIII he Fatal.
All agree that the utmost expedition
is needed If the consolidation is to b
effected in time for the; census. An
should the opportunity to have tn
united city listed in the census so by
j the opposition in the Richmond Counc
| to any union, already strong. Will b
!, augmented. and may defeat the ord
nance as many Councilmen and cit
zens frankly admit that the chief nc
, vantage to Richmond would be lost
tho consolidation Is not made in tim
!, for the next census.
ELECTION TOMORROW