The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-13
Extend City Lines to
Protect Public
Interests.
BELT LINE CASE
IS DISCUSSED
Special Committee of Seven to
Consider All Details of Problem
and to Prepare Report Re-
garding Suburbs Ask
ing to Be Ad-
mittcd.

Favorfng q broad general policy Of
annexation OF Suburban territory TO the
city, the Council Committee on ordi-
nance. Charter and Reform last night.
after hearing from representatives OF
a number Of suburban sections. recon-
nended to the Council the appointment
OF a special committee. TO consist OF
four Counclimen and three Aldermen
20 take up the whole question and pre-
pare a plan for extension OF the city
boundaries From the statements OF
those heard last night. Il appeared that
most, IL not all. OF the thickly settled
sections outside of the city were anN-
ious TO come In 20 get the benefits OF
police and IRE protection and other
city improvements.
Time Ripe for Action.
Mr. pollock OF the committee, stated
after hearing several representatives
OF suburban communities that II was
evident that the time had come for
decisive act!on-indeed. he had favored
a uorthward extension to inNude Hign-
land Park and Barton Heights IN the
annexation Of 1896. and was still OF
the opinion that they should De IN
Tn. city But II was evident that the
Ordinance Committee. with al OF the
nj
time. could not give the study which
,he problem would require II was
better, he held, TO have a special com
-,t.,ee 70 which the entire matter
Including all pending papers, could De
r.rerred. which committee could slt
daily II necessary. hear all parties
view the ground, and report as speed
iiv as possible. Figures were 70 De
compiled. estimates 70 be MADE anu
a, exhaustive study 10 be given 10 the
problem from many points OF view
including taxable values. expenditures
nresent assets OF suburban comfnuhi-
tie. improvements that would oe I'M
ne-stive. and maintenance charges, all
of which would have 20 De nsufeo -.
al. werf an population fgures. sa~aoIe
yarnss and other estimates he
.r,nrnt the work should be Done as a
nhoJe-a complete new line drawn
-,rourd the city on A comprenens4Ne
scale. taking IN all the SUBURBAN sec
lions necessary TO the citys growth OF
suitable for annexation az this time
and in this view the committee con-
Cured. several members agreeing that
there should be no piecemeal handing
Of 40 important problem.
Mr.. Poliocks motion 10 return an
nar.rs 70 the Council with the recon-
n
named TO go fully into the question OF
annexstion and 10 report general
Man OF boundary enlargement was
adopted unanimously
Highland Park Ready.
z n Mcclure. chairman or the
Highland Park Committee. and also
chs,rInsn of a general Northside com
,,,ittee representing Highland PARK.
Rattery Court, Barton Heights and ad-
jacent communities. presente3 the
claim. OF his section generally. and OF
Highland Park in particular Of tha'
township. now knocking at the gates
~ p,chmond for admission. he pointed
out that its people are part ana
marcel Of the population Of Richmond.
doing business in the city. and as mucn
interested as any people in the city
welfare: that its outmost BOUNDS wee
but eighteen minutes ride from Broad
Street. nearer in fact. than other
noints now In the corporate limits from
the city's centre. that il had now
population of $500. and was rapidly
developing. that the township owns a
public park OF seven acres. town NAH
building. two fire houses, with GER
Tain apparatus and a water works
.v.,eno including seven miles Of mains.
valued at s5S.0O0. Its sewer system
he valued at s2s.500; its high school
building. at $4,000. and the township
has already Eve and one-half miles
of concrete sidewalks. and assesSe"
values Of sssO.620. assesse- on a so
ner cent basis, and with a state. county
and township tax rate Of $3.50. against
the total tax rate In Richmond. city and
State. of sl75. The township 'as
liabilities of $4,000 In bonds. PAYNE
; and ; Il per cent. II desires in
mol L.
protection. better fire protection. rep
reseutation in the City Council. im-
movement of its water supply. gas
street lights. repairs to its streets.
enlargement TO its school building and
the planting of trees on its streets.
The people he said. were most rea-
sonabIe and would acquiesce in any
proper terms for annexation
Present Approaches Df-graccfui-
Speaking generally OF the matter OF
annexation. Mr.. Mcclure said that the
present approaches to the city from
its suburbs are diszrsccful. being i'll
Kept and leading through undesirable
sections.
w T. Dabncy presented resolutions
of the Chamber Of Commerce favor
ing a general policy Of annexation.
Julian Gum. representing certain
interests west Of the present city
limits. spoke Of the necessity OF the
cfty's controlling the Belt Line Rail
road and the improvements in con-
uection Herewith. He told Of the
time when Belvidere street was the
western city line. and suggested how
the city would have been hampercd IN
its westward growth had unsightly
overhead bridges been erected there
over the railway tracks. as y now
proposed for the Belt Line. he urged
the city 20 adopt a policy OF tSkins
in suburban sections before they ar
s,t,pdsvfdsh. 90 a. 20 control the laying
of OF streets With no supervision
or buil1frg Inspection or sanitary
..r,.1atinna he said houses Were