The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-05
STUDY ANNEXATION QUESTION.

The people of Richmond certainly
have the right to say whether the city
shall be enlarged by annexation. There
can be no objection to an advisory ref
erendum on this question, although it
must be remembered that the refcren-
dunn proposed will be merely advisory
and have no enacting force We be
lieve the result will favor annexation
and we believe that it should favor q
broad and far seeing annexation, COM
mensnrate with the present and future
Importance of the capital of Virginia
We urge, therefore. n close study OF
the economic and social problems Of
annexation, SO that public opinion may
act for the largest and most perma-
nent good OF the community The
Times Dispatch directs attention to
some of the points TO be considered.
not as an advocate, but as an inform
ant
Growth in Richmond is inevitable and
natural. 1t will be forced by the pros
perity OF the State and the South 1t
will take place by natural laws, whether
the city limits be extended on maps or
not. If not recognized by a. corporate
enlargement now. it must he recor-
nized later. There is no escape from
this, and TO try to escape means an
attempt at civic suicide. The point to
lie decided is whether it is not wise
and sane to grow now, without him
drance or embarra ssment. Failure to
provide for the future is always costly
The single strong voice against an
neSation has been that of labor. 1t
fears an increase OF rents. The prom =
ises OF cheaper homes as Il result Of
the Manchester annexation are de-
clared to have proved untrue We be
lieve labor should have cheap ana com
Portable homes. The nottingham is
the foundation of the city's wealth
For that reason we have urged better
and cheaper houses for the negro la
borers We now urge calm scrutiny of
the Issue by the labor organizations
Let them find out whether rents have
really increased; whether this is not
due TO the general increase in the cost
of living; whether it may in part he
caused by the very conditions that an
nexation will relieve; whether the in
crease in rents has not been accompa-
med by a corresponding incrcasc in the
comforts and conveniences in the work
inEmans home
The laborer does not object 10 paying
legitimate rent for satisfactory ac-
commodations. He Should object To
being exploited by land speculation, OK
pensive and inefficient municipal gov
eminent ana faulty tax laws lie
should investigate the whole question
OF rents, unearncd increment the. re-
suits of congestion and the results of
opening up more territory for compc-
tition in renting. He should find out
whether the rent he pays and the taxes
for he pays taxes, either directly or
through the rent, are bringing him The
test municipal service. Personal ana
inefficient government by politicians
may make rents cXorbitant because the
returns in good service are not ade-
nuate. The reme'tN" for this is not to
oppose natural Gro7SiIl. hut to vote for
g better government.
Finally, we think the true question is
not shall we have annexation. but to
what extent and in what direction The
Chamber of Commerce has proposed one
plan. other plans involving less added
territory have been advanced. Let us
examine all. Let the committee of the
Council turn on the light Let us un-
cerstand conditions and plan for our
growth with wisdom and Justice.