The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-23
PROPERTY OWNERS
CUT DOWN PRICES
Offer Land to Widen Fifteenth
Street at Much Less Than
Former Valuations.
NEGOTIATIONS NOT YET OFF
City Still Hopes to Get Aid of
Southern Railway in Provid-
ing Bridge Approaches.

Immediately after proposition to
reopen the negotiations to widen Eff
tecnth, street by the dedication of GER
tain property. at a cost less than that
at which 1t was appraised by a com
mission more than year ago. was
made by Leroy Brown. Of the real
estate firm of ]. Thompson Brown &
Co. Morgan r. Mills, chairman OF the
Subcommittee on Bridge Approaches.
announced to the Street Committee
yesterday afternoon that he was not
yet ready to report OH the negotiations
between his committee and the South
crn Railway Company. He said that
the negotiations between the subcom-
nittee and the railway company had
not been terminated by the conference
held last week In the City Attorneys
Office and that there WIS still Il chance
that some agreement might be effect
ed. Ho stated that he had received a
letter from the counsel OF the railway
company, showing a spirit OF com
promise, and he believed that 1t is still
possible that friendly conferences
would continue until definite scheme
for widening Fourteenth Street agree
able both to the city and the railway
company could be mapped out. The
criticism OF the stand the railway COM
pany had taken. he said, had been mis-
directed.
PROPERTY OWNERS
COME DOWN IN PRICE
Mr.. Brown read to the committee a
lengthy statement of the proposition
of the majority OF the property hold
ers on Fifteenth Street. Each of the
parties to tho tentative agreement is
willing to make Il considerable reduc-
ton in the price set upon his property
by the appraisers appointed by Judge
II. &. Richardson more than a year
ago. The total price sot by the COM
mission was more than 100000, and
was generally regarded at the time as
so exorbitant that tho City Council
practically refused even to hear II, and
all negotiations were abruptly ended
Mr.. Browns proposition considered a
width OF eighty feet between Main and
Cary Streets. and sufficient width
from Cary Street to Mayo's Bridge. In
view OF Mr. Mills's statement the COM
mittee referred Mr.. Browns PROPOSE
ton to a subcommittee. Marx Gunst
was acting chairman In the absence OF
Gilbert *. Pollock, and he left the ap-
pointment OF the committee TO the
latter.
AT the urgent plea OF Attorney A. b.
Guigon. OF counsel for the Virginia
Railway and Power Company, an cx-
tension OF twelve months time In
which to complete the construction OF
Street, from Shepherd Street to the
Roseneath Road, was recommended.
Captain Ciuigon stated that the COM
pany had found 1t impossible to finish
the construction of the additional
trackage in the time limit set by the
franchise granted by the City Council
last July.
"I think" said Captain Guigon, that
the company is in honor bound to
build the additional trackage. and be-
lieve It will be done. If the extension
of time is refused us. we forfeit the
$4,000 bond, and the city will gain
$1,000: but the franchise might be sur
rendered, and really nothing will have
been gained. If the time limit is ex-
tended feel sure that the additional
tracks will he constructed" Under the
terms of the franchise the railway
company is liable to forfeiture OF
$1,000 if the work be not completed
within the time specified. Councilman
Moore opposed extending the time limit
until the property-holders on West
Broad Street could be heard from
The committee decided. however, to
recommend
President w. Il. Reed. former presi-
dent. I. NJ. Darlington and others. of
tho Chamber OF Commerce, appeared
before the committee to ask that IL
recommend an appropriation for the
reconstruction of ten miles of the
Petersburg Turnpike. The matter was
referred TO subcommittee. to be APP
poiHteu pE chairman Pollock. Mr.,
Darlington said that $4,000 would be
needed for the first mile. $1,000 for the
second mile and $1,000 for the re-
mainder OF the distance. Others who
urged the appropriation were o. Her
bert Funsten and Thomas p. Bryan.
They stated that 95 per cent OF the
damage done to the pike was inflicted
by Richmond people, and as the road
is used more by Richmond people than
by Chesterfield people themselves, they
thought II was rather upon the city to
assume the obligation of restoring
what II had so greatly helped to de-
s,roE: 1t was also pointed out that
me Petersburg Turnpike is an i'm
portant link in the Washington TO
Atlanta highway, and should be placed
III good condition AS an advertisement
20 the city. Mr.. Bryan stated that
me work would be superintendent bv
engineers OF the Federal government
ana would be made n fine and permanent
S ,E,, OF roadway. On motion of Mr.
-i'iis me matter was referred to SUBJ.
committee. which shall confer with the
CITY Engineer and the City Attorney