The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-21
URGE COUNCIL TO
BUY FORD HOTEL
Committee Recommends That
Property Be Acquired to
Relieve Congestion.
CITY HALL ovERcRoWDED
Colored People Get Permission
to Use Industrial Building
for State Fair.

After hearing statement from
Chairman H r. Pollard, Jr., of tn,
Finance Committee, the Committee or
Grounds and Buildings last nigh
recommended to the Council for adop.
ton the ordinance directing the City
Attorney to acquire by gift. purchase
or condemnation the block occupied by
Ford's Hotel and other buildings ad.
joining the City Hall on Eleventh
Street. Mr.. Pollard explained that
while 1t was not anticipated to build
at once, yet 1t was evident that the
City Hall was becoming overcrowded
and that the erection of building
for municipal courts would be impera-
tive in the next few years. Mr.. Pol
lard thought 1t the part of wisdom
for the city to acquire the property by
condemnation now, before 1t is i'm
proved, the present Fords Hotel build
ing having been partly condemned.
1t is only recently through action
of the Chancery Court of the city OF
Richmond. that the title has been
cleared by an amicable settlement OF
estate. which permits of the property
being offered for sale.
Mr.. Pollard pointed out that 1T was
desirable that such building should
adjoin the City Hall, and, in fact. 1t
might be heated from the same plant
He explained that he had once been
named by the court as one of the
trustees to sell the property in ques-
ton, but had resigned that position
some time ago and had no interest L..
the sale.
Playground Question.
After hearing statement from
Councilman Fuller, the committee re-
ferred to a subcommittee on Play
grounds the question of purchasing a
lot lying between Tenth and Eleventh.
Clay and Leigh Streets for public
playground. When the movement was
first agitated an option was secured
on the property at SIS a foot, but the
committee a that time acted in so
dilatory manner that the sixty-day
option expired, and when funds were
provided TO make the purchase the
price had jumped to s35 a foot, which
was held to be exorbitant. The pro-
posed lot fronts l59 feet in Tenth
street and 140 feet in Eleventh street,
the city owning an intervening strip.
which has been public trash heap,
but which is now flied over, greatly
enhancing its value.
Permission was given to the pro-
-N'sNN4E- OA TIE NtIuI sSldlt L diT AS
ISOLATION to use the Industrial Build
ing. on the Fair Grounds. for the week
OF the Colored State Fair. and per-
mission was given for the use of the
City Auditorium on two Sunday after
moons for religious services. no light
or heat being provided.
Colonel John w. Richardson. SUI
perintendent of the Capitol Square.
asked the committee to give him a
number of young trees to be planted
in the Capitol Square. City Engineer
Boiling was entirely willing to give
the trees. but called attention TO a
State law licensing nurseries, which
mas been construed to prohibit the city
from giving away young shade trees.
Councilman Blake asserted that that
was fool law which should ne
Ignored. and the committee recon-
mended TO the Council that Colonel
Richardson be allowed to get al. the
trees he wants from the City Nursery.
a subcommittee was appointed to look
into the question of lighting all pub
lie parks from the new municipal
electric plant.