The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-27
Sees Sentiment in Coun-
cI Against Material
Alteration.
NOT ALARMED BY
EXPENSE FIGURES
Chairman of Annexation Com
mittee Says Estimate Is l,5O0,-
600 Less Than He Expected.
Ordinance to Make It's
Debut at Special Ses-
sion Tonight.

On the eve of it's debut. patrons OF
the annexation ordinance profess to
see a distinct clearing OF the clouds
that have been gathering during the
past two or three weeks, and make
the prediction that when the measure
Is called for consideration at the spc-
cial meeting Of the Common Council
tonight, il will encounter little oppo-
sition
The prediction is based chiefly on
two considerations 1t is generally
conceded bv the Councilman that no
ordinance affecting the status of seven
teen square mile. of urban and subur-
ban territory can be SO framed as to
give perfect satisfaction TO the multi
plicity OF interests concerned. and that,
considered by and large. the Annexa-
tion Committee has done admirably to
draw a measure that promises as little
conflict as the ordinance now pending.
Secondly. there is n general desire to
cut OF extended wranEling and to
leave the adjustment of confiictil /,
claims to the courts, which will, in any
event, be the final arblters.
1T is my belief that the annexation
ordinance will pass both branches OF
the Council without alteration in any
material respect. said Chairman
Powers OF The Special Annexation
Committee. yesterday. The members
who have discussed the matter with
me are overwhelmingly in favor OF pass
ing the measure rs it stands, and leav
ing it 10 the courts to perfect it fur
thcr.
Il regard Mr.. Pcters's frank state
,nent on the annexation question as n
distinctly favorable development It
cleared away good deal of nisun-
Outstanding, and will be an importa Mt
factor in helping the progress of the
ordinance in tho lower branch.
The cost figures submitted by the
heads Of departments. in my opinion.
are highly encouraging. ] expected
them TO be a least s5.0oo.0oo instead
OF $4,000, 600. The estimates are ap-
proNimate, and have little real signi-
fcance. and don't think a single
member Of the Council VIII be frighten-
ed by them.
The committee, as far as can
learn. will stand solidly behind the
measure. and will oppose any change
from the present lines that isn't alb
so!utely necessary. I fully expect sug-
eestions for changes to be made. | be-
lieve. however, ;hat the Council will
realize Al tho outset that if the line
is permitted TO be changed In on place
It Will open the way for an intermi
nable program Of alteration. which Will
delay passage indefinitely.
81 have no fear OF a concerted move
ment to defeat annexation. The desire
for annexation is too general to be
stayed by any movement AS far as
I know no such movement exists
have heard OF movement TO change
the northwest limo to include Joseph
Bryan Park and Acca Farm. but I
don't believe there is anything in it,
The park is already city property, and
see no good reason for annexing a
dairy farm l believe that the major
ity Of the Council will hold the same
view"
Special Order Tonight.
The anneXation ordinance comes up
as special order tonight before the
Common Council, which VIII meet at
o'clock. full attendance is expect
ed. The Annexation Committee is rep
resented in the Council by Morgan r.
Mills. w. -. Butler. c. C. Jones and
Jacob Umlauf
General interest in the measure. 1t
Is expected. Will attract a large crowd
TO the Council Chamber. The various
commercial organizations of the city
that have indorsed the ordinance as
well as owners of property affected
and interested citizens and city officers
will be represented.
me ohlS opposition tnat has so far
come into the open has arisen in Gin
ter Tark-rccently incorporated as a
town-and in Hcnrico County In the
county a meeting of citizens was held
on Saturday protesting against annexa-
tion on the ground that the new lines
took away the wealth producing areas
of the community. leaving the burden
of maintaining the government to the
poorer and less developed sections 1t
appointed committee to attend to-
nights meeting.
From Ciinter Park the opposition is
chiefly on the score OF improvements
The town wants 4 special annexation
arrangement which will assure the in
stallation of public improvements com
mensurate with the bonded indebted
hess which hs an integral part of
Richmond it will have to assume. Tho
statement was made by former Mayor
John Garland Pollard that unless n
special provision Of this nature were
inserted in the annexation act. C;inter
Park could do more for itself than the
city could do for it. and that the sub
urb would oppose annexation unless 1t
were assured tile same improvements
that are enjoyed by the city