The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-20

COMMITTEE fAv0RS
OPENING GRACE St.
COLLEGE TRUSTEES NOT At
TEMPTING TO HOLD UP
THE CITY.
I'm NEED OF MONEY
PRESIDENT BOATwRIGHr Ex-
PLAINS THE sITUATION-NEw
COLLEGE TO COST NEARLY
ONE MILLION DOLLARS.
m NEED OF MONEY

After hearing from President F. w.
Boatwright. of the Richmond college
and Attorney Robert Pollard, con-
corning the proposition Of opening
Grace street from Ryland to Lom-
hardy streets, on motion of Council
man Pollock yesterday afternoon. the
subcommittee on streets adopted q
report recommending that the city
open and improve the street. to cost
$4,000.
This report will be presented the
general committee next week, and
from that body will go to council. The
report Is identical with that which the
committee recommended at its last
meeting, and which was referred back
by the full committee.
The report was sent back on motion
Of Alderman Fuller, who said he had
understood that the college trustees
intended to hold the Broad street side
of the tract for educational purposes,
thus evading taxation, and causing
much loss to the city.
Explanations by both Mr.. Pollard
ana Mr.. Boatwright yesterday salts
fed the subcommittee that while the
college intended to hold this front for
the use Of Richmond academy, a pre-
paratory school. it was not to be held
indefinitely.
Not Holding Up City.
1--WE are not holding this in order
to prevent the city securing taxation"
explained Mr.. Boatwright. 1--WE are
holding it because we have no other
place to put the academy. We haze
Just sold the property now occupied
by the school. and we want the street
opened 80 that we may sell lots along
that throughfare, because we need
the money. We are in sore need OF
money TO complete the new college
at Westhampton, and that is the only
reason We wish to sell this property"
He explained further that the col
lege trustees had at various times
given the city the right Of way for
Franklin street and West avenue. The
property across Franklin street once
belonged to the college, which held a
large tract, and when the city needed
the opening for the streets, the col
lege trustees cheerfully turned it over.
Lieutenant-Go J. Taylor Ely
son, a trustee. stated that while the
trustees had figured that the new col
lege would cost about $500. 900, as
d matter Oh ldCl, II Woulu Sosl liot
less than 100000. probably more.
THE trustees need as much money
as they can get" he said. I'VE hope
to realize something from the sale of
these lots. This Broad street side will
not be neld Indefinitely. BY opening
the street. and giving us an opportun-
ity to dispose of lots. the city will
gain that much through increased val
uation and taxation. And we will
be helped proportionately."
Mr.. Pollock said the city. by open
iege people what they asked would be
doing exactly what has been done for
any citizen who desired improvements.
Vondcrlehr Pessimistic.
Mr.. Vonderlehr said the general
committee had sent the proposition
back because of the Broad street
proposition, and he felt that If this
committee recommended favorable
action on the request of the college
trustees, the general committee would
again return the report.
They want to know exactly how
long the college trustees intend to
hold the Broad street side" said Mr..
Vonderlehr.
I'VE cannot say" replied President
Boatwright. I'VE have no desire to
hold it any longer than necessary. II
we can get good price for it we
will turn II loose now. Rnt It Will
not be held indefinitely"
After It was explained that the coll
lege folks were not attempting to
hold up the city. a motion made by
Mr., Pollock that the report be fav-
orably recommended was adopted.
Wyndnam r. Meredith. represent
ing the Library board suggested that
the committee take cognizance Of the
opportunity of acquiring a part of
the college building for a public IL
brary. He suggested that the city
purchase from the college trustees the
building and about two hundred feet
fronting on both Grace and Frank
lin streets. to be used as a parkway,
and library building.
The committee requested President
Boatwright to formulate an estimate
as to what it would cost the city to
acquire this property, and he said he
would be prepared to report at the
meeting Of the full committee next
Monday.