The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-04
DELEGATION NOT .
READY TO DECIDE
Clay Ward Vacancy Brings on
Contest Between Old and
New Sections.

cation has rs yet been called to nomi-
nate a successor to Councilman Chas.
Price Davis, Members of the delega-
ton said yesterday that they, did not
expect to make any nominate ion at the
meeting of, the Council on Friday
night, but would allow the matter to
go over until 1t could BIO given more
mature elaboration. a number OF
names have been mentioned In con-
nection with the position, the most
prominent perhaps. being those OF L.
Gray Haddon. stenograp In the or
flee of the Attorney General of Vir-
glnia; Albert s. Keilam, of Kennedy
Bros and kellan, and Leroy D. Grant.
of Blanton G. Co.
Ward Is Divided.
The situation in Clay Ward is some
what peculiar. IT has a population of
more than $4,000. or more than twice
tho population OF some of the smaller
wards. Its area Is by far the largest
of any ward in the city, not excepting
the newly annexed Washing on ward.
and IT has in its bounds the area most
IN need OF public improvements. ana
that In which building operations arc
most active. exceeding. In fact the
eitys extension of streets and ordinary
conveniences. The ward is city in
itself, and has been roughly divided
into three sections-thc older part en-.
bracing Grove. Hanover and FLOYD
avenues. thickly built up. and to n
nrse extent improved; the immense
section south of Main Street and s,r.
rounding William Byrd Park. which
with the completion or the Virginia
avenue sewer. bids fair In another
year to be tho most rapidly deyelon-
ing section OF Richmond, and thnt soc
Aon lying west of the Boulevard nart-
~ quilt up before annexation. and
which of all the area taken In in looe
mas been most persistent and clamoro,is
IN us demand for city improvements.
through the medium OF the CLAW ward
Annex League. Il
View Sections Want Representation.
All three of these dissinilar SOC.
.ions oil tho ward are claiming tho
stal maue vacant by Mr.. Davis's death.
hr. Davis lived on South Linden
Street. In the section south OF Mnin
street. and that section urges that Il
mas tho best claim on the seat. espe.
claily as three of the present member,
OF the Council-NIessrs Seaton. Rirb
ardson and Powers-live on Grows
avenue, In the old part of the ward
a section not in immediate need OF
iur'her improvements. Mr. Umlauf
ne iourtn member of the delegation In
,ne lower branch, lives on South ilar-
iison Street
Not member OF the delegation 10,
several years past has lived in tho
section annexed in 1906. Mr.. Haddon
is being urged for that rcas son. Ilts
nome is at 1916 Beverly Street. Az
heliam lives at 1904 West Main. IN
II old part of the ward, and MIR Grant
at 1904 Grove Avenue. 1t IS said that
tie Clay Annex League, which hns
taken SO prominent part in the fight
or. the new Westhampton street car
schedule. will have candidate of its
own from the section beyond tho Bou
ievard. Who this will be has not
been Indicated.
Whether the plan for reducinp Tho
number OF wards is adopted or not, the
statutes require redistricting and
readjustment OF the ward lines within
the next year, and before the next
councilmanic election. M
Gnin by Redistrictinr.
BY Whatever arrangement, Clay Ward
Is bound to gain, as on tho basis of
population 1t now has but half of the
representation OF some other wards
only half It's size.
Mr Haddon is secretary Of the Clay.
Ward Actives. and 1t is believed will
nave the support of that organization.
which. II is asserted, would more than
outbalance any action that might be
taken by the Clay Ward Annex League.
In accordance with the usual custom a
nomination vii! be presented by the
ward delegation. consisting of Alessrs
Umlauf. Seaton, Richardson and Pow
crs. II the nomination Is unanimous
the Council will no doubt affirm AZ.
If the ward delegation divides the
question is opened on the floor OF the
Council. and it is anybody's fight. as
has been shown in several Instances
where the Marshall Ward delegation