The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-17
.DABNEY HITS At
CITY COMMITTEE
Should Have Waited for Council
to Submit Proposition Before
Taking Action.
BLIND LEADING BLIND
Asks Voters Not to Be in This
Chss-Legislative Candidates
Open Their Campaign.

Roundly scoring tho City Democratic
Committee for it's action in putting the
question OF annexation up to tho voters
before the Council Committee on An
neXation had submitted a definite re-
communication, William r Dabncy,
business manager of the Chamber of
commerce, last night before tho South
Richmond Democratic Club, called upon
the voters of the Southsidc to carefully
weigh the situation in their own minds
before passing on the question lest il
be case of the blind leading the
blind" While the chamber was willing
to submit to the decision of the people
IL wants definite proposition TO work
on before having a vote on the Ques-
ton. His remarks were greeted with
applause by tho audience which num-
hered about 200 voters
Seven of the nine candidates for the
House of Delegates. appearing for the
hrst time during the campaign, in short
talks stated the platforms upon which
they sought election. With n few va
riations the platforms of the severrare
similar. All advocate the abolition of
convict labor; equalization OF taxes and
other reforms. Owing TO an agreement
made at the beginning Of the campaign
the candidates delayed until May 10 to
open the flow of oratory upon the
voters.
Mr. Dabney was the first speaker to
Jones. president of the club. Being the
principal speaker. he was permitted to
take up the larger part of the time
His talk dealt chiefly with tho benefits
mat would accrue to the working class
Ivy annexation and expressed his will
ingness TO see the question submitted
20 them for vote
Comfortable Homes Essential
comfortable housing conditions and
easy transportation facilities he men
nl,.x
He compared the high rents of this city
with the cheap rents Of other cities
For houses for which Richmonders nav
40 month worklngmen in other
PAGES are paying s14 TO SIT a month
oi this class OF homes, from five TO
seven rooms. with gas and water there
are exactly thirty-two, by actual count.
in Richmond.
High rents. he said. were caused by
the city growing too fast for its proncr
development. 1t has outgrown it's ex-
pectations, and what vacant property
there is has been so enhanced i'm value.
mat nigh rent must he paid on new
buildings to meet the interest demand
Ell pN the investment. The only rem
cay there Is that he could suggest is
the expansion of the city boundaries
mat the landlords do not advocate this
ne said, could he expected but the heat
interests of the laboring people de
nand 1t.
Touching upon the legal phases Of
annexation. Mr. Dabney contradictod
reports that the whole proposition was
n scheme to boom certain real estate
promoters by showing that no terri
tory could be taken in for revenue onl,
unless it stood in line OF dcvclopncut
when asked concerning the rcasscss
ment OF suburban values after annex
atlon. ne frankly gave IL up. but said
ne renewed the letter of the law which
provides that the rate of taxation shall
IA
prevent it.
Hns Dealt sau.reiy.
nat Richmond has dealt squarcly
with all annexed territory was shown
by figures submitted by Mr.. Dabncy.
Since 1905 the city has spent twice
as much in annexed territory as has
been received back In taxes. In South
Richmond S395.500 has been paid into
the city treasury, and s7l0.YO0 has
been spent, or is being spent, on per-
manent improvements. In addition
the city Is building bridge at a cost
OF 100000. While on the subject OF
the Southside benefits by consolidation,
MIR. Dabney invited any man in the
audience to stand up and say that his
rent had been increased - per cent as
has been stated frequently by anti
anneXat!onists.
Owing to the brevity Of their talks,
tho Legislative candidates had little
'l'"e 70 uiScuSs anything beyond their
platforms. All have been promulgated
through the public press and. with
few exceptions. vary but little. The
first to. be introduced was James h.
Cannon. He was followed In order
by Edwin p. Cox, James J. Dreamer.
liill Montague. William NJ. Myers, j.
Taylor Stratton and -. l., Toncy. In
addition TO these. +. Peter Howlc, Fred
H. Peasants and Henry T. Tresnon,
candidates for Commissioner Of Rev
cnue, made brief speeches.