The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-10
PERFECT PLANS TO
DRAIN SWAMPS Of
THE CH|CKAH0M|NY
Drainage Association Effects
Permanent Organization
and Takes First Steps
WILL FILE PETITION
IN COURT AT ONCE
Organization Engages Coun-
sci and Makes Plans for
Local Associations
Prominent Speakers

OF retaining the fertile swamp
lands of the Chickahominy IN about
TO be realized
Prominent farmers representing the
counties of Henrico. Hanover, James
CITY and New Kent met yesterday IL
Richmond. perfected a permanent or
ganization for the district, piannc: /
for the formation of local assoeia-
tons and engaged counsel 10 draw
the petition provided for by the hew
law and Ale IL as soon as possible |
with the clerk of the Circuit court, In |
order that the actual work of reclaim"
ing the swamp lands Of the Chicka-
honiiny may be begun within month. |
DIR. Starbuek Prtsidcs.
The meeting which was held in the |
pariofs OF Murphy.s hotel, was pre-
.sided over BY pr L. W. Starbuck'
who was made chairman Of The tenn
porary organization al its last meet
INK w W. Old. Jr., of Norfolk,
author of the State drainage BILL ana
Engineer George NJ. Warren, the
United States expert. who made AIAs
survey Of tht Chickahominy. made ad-
dresses urging the landowners to ac-
zion. But they didn't need any urg-
stng--they were there for business.
The first step was TO make the tenn
yornry organization permanent ana
this was effected with the election or
Or. Starbuck as president. anc the
Following officers: vice-presldent, r.
Hoenniger. Charles City county; sec
rotary w u. Sydnor, Hanover
county; treasurer."J @. Tinsiey. lien"
rico county The Chicka5ominy
Drainage association Is the official
name OF the organization
Win File Petition.
On motion Mr.. Old was engaged as
seonnsei for the association ~ a~@ =
the proper petition and file II with
the Circuit court AS the law pro-
sytGes MIR. Old is counsel for the
two drainage districts that have been
organized in Norfolk county, ana the
fac, that he Is the author OF the law
ara Thoroughly familiar with the legal
nhases OF drainage undertakings II
s~auranca that this feature of the
nrotect will be pushed rapidly TO COM
pletion.
On further motion representatives
Srorn the various counties represent
ed IN the district were authorized 10
orranize, Mt the earliest possible mo
rnent. local county drainage assocaa-
lions to cooperate with the main or
~an,xation In the work. and these
delegates promised to get busy the
coming week.
Hear Noted Speakers.
Governor William Hodges mann
90 Congressman-ei elect Montague
wade enthusiastic addresses TO the
Farmers promising them eacn q cu'
dial support and cooperation IN tne
~reat undertaking. and they Were
heartily applauded.
What Project Means
the importance Of the project can
hardly he overestimated. me
srasnage OF the great Chichahomihy
s,yann means the reclamation OF
ahout 1900 acres OF vaianue iaho
:. Fertile "a the valley OF the river
Nus which will be devoted To truck
ara the staples. The territory is an
r,ntinguous to Richmond and TINS Guy
viii be the logical market place ioF
che territory. The undertaking OF tne
nroiect viii inspire the extension ..
.a,lway lines to take care OF thts vast
.a..,nass what IL far more import
-, with the draining of the pntrla
.u,amps such improved health condi-
.,an. will follow as to permit the
nahitation of the district now impos-
Iii. because the swamps are verltahie
nest holes of fever
rshts vast area has all been sur
veyed by government expert
,ysneer Warren, necessary maps aiN
-,raa,es made, and all that remains
n the fling Of the petition WITH 'ho
rourt and actual work can pesh-
How the law Operates.
ts Vow ff,at the rrn3ect' ~ 40 our. ss'se ~
undertaken In earnest y may ~. ~.
.,g;sa Il, eiyssar,s outline. of tho statnte
.,naar which drainage projects are
s.naartaken. The statute, which was
~ work OF Mr.. Old. provides that
,snenavar a petition signed by ma-
sars.,, ~ The resident land owners
=, propased drainage district or by
~ owners of three-fifths OF All tne
laras which will be affected by the
arnnosea improvments shall be MED
e. IA Office OF the clerk Of the Cir
cut court. setting forth the area the
starting point. route and terminus
ana lateral branches. then the. coMr'
shall appoint a competent ana uisin
terested drainage engineer a1u ~
resident freeholders where lana ~ To-
Gated who are to be known as !.
hoard ~ viewers. to examine the land
and make a preliminary report Inc
engineer to receive such a salary az
may ha agreed upon. and the viewers
other than the engineer, shall be-
ceive three dollars a day. After tne
ranort Of the board OF reviewers Is
made. and Il ia acceptable 10 tne
sSssY.fYyt urr N recon- snendatiansea are re-
o,rtref 60 he published ID the news
papers for two weeks Under this
At land can he condemned: In fact
every obstacle removed that migh'
hinder. retard or prevent q success
ful drainage by the usual condena-
ration proceedings and upon pay
merit 81 such charges as may have
& be4n asgcssed for damages. ClaSsi.
6cafion ~ land according to beneath
m provided f0r. In case Of drainAge
81 ~ deereas 81 wetnees " the land. the
xk,ana tMne1 ~ ee6on6 RlxNsA