The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-21
BUSINESS PEOPLE
Want ANNEXATION
Pass Resolution Favoring Imme-
diate Enlargement Of Terri
tory Along Broad Lines.
HOW sUBURBANITEs FEEL
Willing to Annex on Equitable
Terms, but Will Not Wait
for Improvements.

resolved. That 1t Is the sense OF the
Business Mems Club that Richmond
needs immediate annexation along
broad lines. and that a committee be
appointed by the president to appear
before the Council Committee on An
neNation."
This resolution was adopted at the
close Of meeting OF the Business
Mems Club yesterday, when the rea-
sons and methods of annexation were
discussed in series Of seven-minute
speeches. and citizens of Richmond
suburbs presented the opinions on the
question prevailing in their commune
ties. These speeches were especially
interesting as expressing the attitude
which Richmond will have TO meet in
her efforts to expand.
G. W. Bahlke. Mayor of Highland
Park, stated that he believed the gen
eral sentiment in that community to
be In favor Of annexation. since most
Of the citizens had business and other
Interests in Richmond. He asserted.
however, that unless Richmond took
immediate steps to annex Highland
Park. and provide it with the neces-
sary improvements. Highland Park
VIII certainly take measures to obtain
It's own improvements, even though ii
has to pay a higher rate OF interest
than Richmond would have to pay
The Town Council Ia now contemplate
q.
he said
Personally. am willing to lose my
job as Mayor in order to become a
part of the city said Mr.. Bahlke. but
If Richmond wants TO obtain Highland
Park. it will have to get busy now"
Much the same attitude was taken
by John Garland Pollard, Mayor Of
Ginter Park. who said that that suburb
would ask only equitable terms in
becoming a part of the city.
The nature OF those terms was made
plain by c. B. Garnett. another citizen
OF Ginter Park. who pointed out that
there was no good approach from that
suburb TO the city. The car line which
reaches First Street is exceedingly
roundabout. so that the trip requires
twenty-nine minutes, while by the
Richmond and Chesapeake Bay route
the citizens are compelled to pay a
double fare and the car runs only once
an hour.
He asserted that Gintcr Park would
bring Richmond nearly $4,000. 900 worth
Of property. and he wanted to know
what the suburb would get in exchange
II not an adequate means of access to
the city. He pointed out that St
Louis. Chicago and all other modern
growing cities arc laying out great
pouieVards to connect the heart OF the
cities with the outlying districts.
DR.. r. II. Pitt spoke for Barton
Heights, saying that he believed the
sentiment in that community to he
Overwhelmingly In favor OF annexa-
ton. All the interests of the citizens,
| he said are centred in Richmond and
yet they are cut off from citizenship
here and from participation in munich
pal affairs
The necessary method OF annexa-
ton from an engineering point OF
view was presented by Allen ]. SaviIlc
n faf Iof
expansion should be mapped out. even
! though some of the land might not
be occupied for twenty years. This
is necessary. he said. in planning and
carrying out all such projects as water
and lighting and sewage systems and
Is the method followed by all large
cities. 1t is absolutely necessary, he
said, to uniform and economical ex-
pansion.
The need for organized public opin-
ion. before annexation can be actually
brought about was urged by James
Lewis Anderson.
We must get behind the Council"
ne said. I'VE have got to have a case
that we can prove in court. and pub
tic opinion back of It, before we can
carry out our plans
Why Hnste Is Necessary.
| John c. Easley set forth the reasons
why Richmond should take immediate
steps toward annexation, emphas sizing
| the fact that tho larger suburbs are
issuing bonds at higher rates than the
| city would have To pay, and which
the city will have to take over even
tually. He stated that. in his opinion,
the suburbs were rather reckless in
their bond issues for that reason.
Mr. Easley also spoke of the ne
cessity of safeguarding the health OF
| the city. since many OF the smaller
outlying districts have improper
sewer systems, and have inadequate
water systems. while the line between
them and the city Is only imaginary.
The loss and Inconvenience that re-
suits from Incorporating county roads
In the city, instead of laying out the
streets In advance, were also empha-
sized. Main street, he pointed out, is
| crooked because 1t was once county
road. and Cary street is too narrow
| for the same reason.
Statistics showing Richmond's over
crowded condition as compared with
other cities we're presented b. Cap
! tain John Landstreet. He showed
that while Richmond has 11,5i5 of
population to the square mile, the
next most densely populated city OF
the same class is Memphis, with 5000
| to the square mile.
| Thomas =. Bryan. president OF the
club. presided at the meeting. The
| resolution was presented by Arthur
Levy.
The meeting was we'll attended, the
reading-room OF the club being filled
to its capacity.
The committee appointed by President
Bryan TO appear before the Council Commit
tee on Annexation consists Of Alvin NJ;
smith, chairman; James Lewis Anderson ana
w. +. Waddey.
Services at Beth Ahabah
The subjects OF Dr.. p. ~ calischs SER ser,
he: This evening. "Ancient Brutal Hannah
ism and Modern Refined Ant-Semitism."
he sed upon tho Book of Esther, whose story
ia commemorated by the Feast of Purim,
that falls Sunday. March %. On Satur-
borah. the Prophecies" Services begin at
Z. md 1 ~ lo