The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-04
PUBLIC HEARING
ONCOLOREDPARK
Committee Will Hear Interested
Persons at Meeting on
October 81.
INVESTIGATE WATER SYSTEM
Reduction Of Fire Hazard to Be
Subject of Official Con-
ference.
INVESTIGATE WATER SYSTEM

The colored park proposition. after
lying dormant In committee for several
months, sprang into Iife again last
night at the meeting of the Council
Committee on Public Buildings. Prop
critics and Utilities. und appears now to
be on The high road TO permanent dis
position. ~ subcommittee. composed Of
alderman Mitchell and Councilman Pol
lard. which, has been Investigating the
matter Tor four months, suD,Iittcd a
report fayoring the creation OF such Il
park In the Smiths Hill section, be-
tween Seventh and Fifth Streets. with
n frontage on Federal Street.
Several communications were pre-
scented to the committee. voicing pro-
tests on the part Of prominent colored
people against the creation OF any park
intended for the sole OF negroes
Other protests were fled from white
citizens in the nc!ghborhood OF the
section selected by the subcommittee
objecting TO the location OF a negro
park near the through highways that
connect the city with the northern
suburbs.
Hold Public Hearing.
The committee voted, before making
any recommendation in the matter. TO
hold public hearing on the evening
of October 81. at which time opponents
and proponents OF the proposed park
AS we'll as the tentative location. Will
be given chance to express their
views.
Most OF the opposition from the coll
ored element arises from the fear that
the creation of a park TO be used
clusively By negroes would be to bring
forward anew the whole question of
segregation. II is also urged against
the plan that such park would be
patronized largely by the more vicious
elements OF the race. and that the bet
ter class OF colored people would shur
IT.
Under the law. the Council has no
authority to place racial restrictions
upon the use OF any public park. If
the proposed park In the Smiths Hin
section should be created. II would still
noninaliy De a public park. accessible
10 both the white and colored races
Its location adjacent to the colored
residence section. however. would ope-
rate In practice TO make IL virtually a
park for colorcd people exclusively.
Investigate Water Systcm.
Acting upon The suggestion contain
ed In Il communication from the Mayor
the committee appointed a subcom-
mittce OF three. consisting OF Council
men Mills and Atkinson and Alderman
Mitchell. to confer with The Mayor. and
delegations from the Administrative
Board and Board Of Fire Commission
.rs. with regard TO the feasibility OF
installing in the business section OF
the city q high pressure water distri-
button system for the purpose OF re-
ducing the fire hazard
Recommendations involving much
tho same problem were presented from
the Administrative Board and were re-
ferred along with the Mayors recon
mendation To the subcommittee The
clerk was directed TO notify the other
parties to the conference that the sub
committee was prepared TO meet with
them at any convenient time.
To Solve Dock Issue.
The committee sent 10 the Board of
Aldermen with its favorable indorse-