The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-16
WHY DO THEY BLOCK RlCh-
MOND'S EXPANSION.


Jnnl-o.inc Is not fashionable IN the
CIV Council lust al present, but II
might be well worth the city's while
r. send Aldermen Grimes. Gunst'
Mitchell. Paul and Nielsen on a little
tourney 10 what was the town OF
Cokesbury. : c. Fif;y-seven years
ago Cokesbury bsde fair TO become a
prosperous city It was growing rapidly
its schools fourished it was seat OF
learning in its section; il was a centre
of Industry. \ railroad-and there
we're not many railroads then-sur-
viewed its roadbed SO that it touched
The limits Of the town. Those who
would have been in the Cokesbury
Board Of Aldermen. II there had been
anv Board Of Aldermen, objected
Cokosbury was good enough as H. was.
what good would It do the town 10
have q railroad running through IT.,
with perfect strangers hiding in ~
What could railroad do for com
mun.ty besides scatter cinders and
wake UP the citizens with It's Internal
noises Why not let we'll enough alone
and let the railroad 90 through some
other town? So they argued. these
wise and venerable town fathers and
the result was that the railroad was not
allowed TO pass through Cokesbury-
To-day il goes through Hodges. four
miles away. q thriving municipality.
while d few ancient houses and empty
faf f-,r he desert
village that was Cokesbury.
Now Richmond is not Cokesbury.
and Aldermen Grimes. Gunst. Nielsen,
Paul and Mitchell are not the burghers
Of Cokcsbury. but these latter-day
LEGISLATORS for this city on Wednesday
took d position IN the Board Of Alder
men that. if persisted in. would delay
or block indefinitely the growth and
expansion Of Richmond They sue
ceeded III causing TO be postponed for
d month. il not for longer. any action
by the City Council preliminary 70 the
extension Of the corporate limits. AL
derman Mitchell. protesting that he
favored extension. sought to throw the
matter back into committee, declaring
that the Council was stepping out into
deep water" and that he would be
glad to see 1t all killed" The opposi-
lion 10 the further annexation of sub
urban territory TO the city hinged on
bubbles; 1t did not go 10 the root of
the matter. The antagonism to expan-
sion could offer no reasons to justify
itself: its arguments were technical.
What could be more picayunish than
objection 10 an appropriation of $50
for the expenses Of a committee TO in
vcstigate the whole question In detaus
30 matter how much Aldermen
Grimes. Gunst. Mitchell. Paul and
Nelson may protest that they favor
annexation, the facts stands that they
have delayed 1t month if not longer.
Why did they do it, Why could they
not. like other members. assent 10
an investigation Of tho question and
reserve the right 90 oppose later: are
they BLING 10 the fact that unless the
limits Of Richmond are expanded.
industries cannot come here because
hibitive that many classes OF industrial
operatives cannot live here, Are they
blind 10 the fact that she negro ropula-
tion Of Richmond Is so congesteG that
d condition exists which menaces the
heath of al the people Of this city,
Are they blind 70 the fact that unless
certain unssnitaE suburban territory
lie taken in as protection the health
of the people Will be impaireds Arc
they blind 20 the fact that only Paterson.
Now Jersey. has q more congosted
population than Richmond Are they
blind 10 the fact that delay IN charging
the limits OF the city posi- PONIES its
prosperity and natural growth
viii Aldermen Crimes. Gunsf. Nit
chell. Nelson and Paul so' OF Tho track
and Jet the train come through,