The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-06

annexed property for the purpose Of providing
water. sewerage gas streets. ETC. which, If done,
brings the tax rate in the annexed territory
simultaneously the same as that prevailing in
the city. This course would be good invest
ment The Improvement of the streets means
the building OF homes. supplying gas, water
and sewer connections means a profit not only
sufficient to take care of the interest or redemp-
tIon on said issue of bonds. but would mater
tally increase the revenue TO the city.
1t does not take scientific trained mind
to appreciate that under thes provisions there
can be possibility of the territory being
burden to Richmond or Justify the fear that i'm
provements needed In Richmond will, In any
way. be delayed thereby.
While the area proposed in some directions.
embraces territory that viii hardly he developed
in the next few years, it must be borne in mind
that the lines were drawn embracing such ter
ritory by the expert advice Of the city engineer
In order that the city might be provided with
proper watershed for its drainage, which is q
most economical plan to pursue
A thorough study investigation of the
ritory recommended by the joint committee of
the council will convince most any mind that
much of It Is already developed and In order
to provide sufficient and desirable locations in
close proximity to street lines and various
factory vicinities at reasonable prices for the
land, there must be an abundance of such ter
ritory to enable the people who ready to
into this development of home on a large scale,
To hny territory by me acre rather than oY 'front.'
foot; as experience has taught that front foot
land Is too high to justify this character of IN
vestment
The council doubled the area In 1905 At
the time, some of our people resisted the pro-
position with the same objections that are
offered al this time. The results. however, have
been such the realizes the fact that nearly
all Of the territory taken in that time with
the exception Of lot here and there has been
built up, and the City's revenue has increased
over million and half dollars annually with
out increasing the tax rate. Much of the ter
ritory taken in at the former period. Of
hgh-cl character and did not meet the needs
Of the city at the time and largely con-
trolled by land spectators, who were enabled
to operate successfully owing to the limited
area OF territory.
We submit, that in view Of past experience,
and the wonderful growth Of Richmond within
the last seven years, that the most skeptiCal
mind about the proposed annexation, viii he
justified in laying his opinion aside in face Of
the universal collective expression in favor Of
the council of Richmond adopting an ordi-
nance embracing liberal annexation. Every bus
mess organization and many other associations
working for the advancement of Richmond
have petitoned the council to provide liberal
anneXation-~w represents substantially the
manufacturing, commercial and investing in
terest in city-upon which the life and pros
perity OF city inevitably depends, Can one
think for moment this universal expression
can be so blind 10 urge the council to act
materially nJure their business and properties?
Therefore. sc that every alderman weigh
carefully all phases of this question and give
due consideration to generous expression of
the viii Of the people, thereby further eneou-
raging the cooperative spirit which is incfeas-
ing IN city and done much toward its
advancement in the last decade.