The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-16
Finance Committee Defers Action
Pending Inspection of Prop
erty Involved


The proposal 10 expcnd upwards Of
100000 for property along Fifteenth
street. Fourteenth street and the dock
to be used in opening an eighty-fo foot
thoroughfarc from Main street TO the
new Mayo Bridge. received scant en-
couragcment iast.night from the Coun-
ell Committee on Finance, which
heard CITY Attorney Iollnrds state
ment Of the case and then voted 10
table the measure for further consid-
Grafton
The plan was before the committee
in the form Of the report OF the spc-
cial condemnation commission appoint
ed by the Hastings Court TO determine
the value OF the property needed by
the city. CITY attorney Pollard said
that he thought the valuation placed
upon the Sloan dock property and part
of the Gordon Metal Company property
was much too high. and was OF the
opinion that a suit for a lower valua-
tion would be upheld by the courts.
Urges Enriy Action.
II was advisable. said MIR. Pollard.
that the report Of the commission be
acted upon by the Finance Committee
and by tn" Council at an early date.
II II il permitted to remain undis-
posed OF for more than three months
from the date OF it's filing In the Hust-
in2s Court. he said any Of tho inter
cstcd parties could make application to
have the matter dismissed.
The City Attorney told the committee
that after personal inspection OF
Fourteenth street aud Fifteenth street
and the property situation OF both he
WAS convinced that the opening up Of
the thoioughfare through Fifteenth
street was the only logical solution OF
tn. traffic problem. The project. he
thought. should be looked upon as
comprehensive street Improvement
rather than AS "A mere approach TO the
bridge.
While he was OF tho opinion that the
sloan and Gordon Metal Company valu-
atoms were cNorhitant. Mr. Pollard
said. the only course TO pursue, If the
project ia TO be approved. IL TO provide
the money in the amount called for by
the report Of the commission and then
To institute suit for reduction. The
money. he thought. should he provided
for by a bond issue. since the scheme
involved permanent Improvement.
The present generation. no said should
not be taxed for dement's which w!ll lee
enjoyed in their fullest by generations
to come.
SuEEests Public Hearing.
Mr.. Pollard suggested that before the
committee take action on the com
missions report, il examine for Itself
the properties involved. and then hold
q public hearing 10 permit interested
persons an opportunity 10 state their
cases. The committee decided in cx-
ccutive session to view the property.
hut did not name a date for the in
spcction.
Discussion on, the point OF holding a
public hearing brought out the almos,
unanimous opinion that such a hearing
would be supert'uous in view OF the
fact that interested persons had al
ready been given sufficient opportunity
TO air their claims in the hearings CON
Quoted by the special court commits
sion II appears hardly probable,
therefore, that another public hearing
Will be held by the Finance Committee.
For Police Headquarters.
The committee approved joint
resolution appropriatine the sum o,
$500 for the rental for one year OF
new temporary home for police
headquarters The resolution gives
the Police Commissioners power TO
lease such quarters for term OF from
three to I'VE years.
Folice Commissioner f.. W. Thomas
OF Clay Ward. told the committee
that the present home Of the central
Police Department was wholly made
quate for ita needs. For the good or
the service. he said. IL was extremely
desirable that headquarters be moved
TO more comnodious location until
such n time the city is ready to
provide a permanent enlarged home.
Several men bcrs Of the Board OF f'o
lice Commissioners. he said. including
himself. favored leasing as a temper
airy home for police headquarters the
large brick house at ll0i East Broad
street, adjoining the First Baptist
Church
Recommends Mnny Raises.
The committee approved ordinances
and joint resolutions providing for
salary raises TO large number OF
city officers and employees Among
those who benefit are:
Sixteen deputy inspectors in the Gas
Department. salary raised from st0SO
to $1,000 a year.
Employees OF the Street Cleaning
Department. pay raised from $40 to
S225 a day.
Inspector OF plumbing. increased 10