The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-02-07

asserting that the Council had not
given the matter the attention TIM
Us Importance demanded, Mayor Rich
afdson last night returned 10 thu
Common Council with his veto a reso-a
luton directing tic grading Of the
sidewalk on the south side OF Frank
I'm street east Of Twenty ninth TO
an alley beside the property Of Alder
man John r. Grimes, OF Marshall
Ward. with the statement that no liza
blItty rested on the city by reason 81
the condition Of the street; that tho
work would cost S9i6.22: that there
was no benefit 10 The city or the gen 8
cr;l public the proposed sidewalk eN-
tending but half a block, passing no
houses and terminating in bank OF
earth.
The Mayor characterized the whole
matter as one calculated to create r.
liability against the city where none
now exists and the payment of nearly
$1,000 for the Improvement OF the
private property of alderman Grimes.
Reasons stated by Mayor.
The Mayor takes the ground in his
veto message that the members did
not realize It's Importance asa pre-
cedcnt when they adopted the ordi-
nance. lie recites that on July Z, $780,
Alderman Grimes, owner of the prop
.erty. called attention of the Street
Committee 10 the hillside beside his
house. which, he said, was sloughing
off and endangering mis- property. ana
which he asked the city to underpin.
On August %, 1910. City Attorney Pol-#
lard rendered q written opinion. OF
record in the Street Committee to the
effect that there was no legal liab ility&
on the city, and the City Engineer
submitted at the same time an esti-E
mate of the cost OF the work as
S946.22.
The whole matter was then tabled.
and on December IS 1910. the Street
Committee adopted it, recommending
that the Council grade and gravel
the sidewalk. and that Assessor Of
Damages A. G. Hartman be appointed to
appraise the damage to abutting
property.
The Mayor said that an inspection
OF the site shows that there is no
benefit TO the city or the general pub
lie; that the proposed sidewalk vii,
extend hut one half a block. on which
no houses front. and will terminate IN
a bank Of earth. and 1t is evident that
il would not often he used as q walk
way.
Only Help to Grimes
THE resolution creates liz b1litY
against the city. says the Mayors
message, where none now exists, and
puts the city in the position OF having
to pay nearly $l,o00 for the improve
ment of the private property OF Alder
man Grimes. II is n serious precedent,
since. as there are probably as many
as one thousand pieces Of property so
situated in the city. TO assume the
liability OF making such improvements
might seriously cmbarrass the city in
its finances. I earnestly recommend
that the members OF the Council give
the subject the consideration that it's 81
importance demands
Subchairman Pollock, OF the Street
Committee, moved that the resolution
together with the Mayors MESA ge. be-
recommitted to the Committee on
Streets,
That committee should have looked
into II before" said Mr.. Pollard "IiE
the Mayor is correct the Street Com
mittee has already done Its best to
put the city In hole.
- am satisfied thar the Mayor was
under the impression that the assess
ment was binding" responded Mr.
Pollock THE city Attorney has ruled d
that such is not the case That i'm
provement is one thar ought 10 ba
made. and was fully discussed in tho
street Committee. ! ask that It DO
recommitted that we may hear all the