The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-20
NEED COMMISSION
ON CITY PLANNING
West End Citizens Want Able
Board to Work for General
Improvement.
WILL NOT HEAR CANDIDATES
Club Decides That, as 1t Isn't in
Politics, They Can Speak
Elsewhere.

The appointment of n commission on
city planning to project tho Richmond
OF the future and to gather the neces-
sary data as to the laying off and i'm
proNement of streets, the development
OF transit facilities, bridges water
ways and municipal undertakings, is
proposed IN resolutions adopted by the
West End Citizens Associations last
night The association heard a COM
prehensiNc paper by Allen J. Savillc
and Richard Mcsscr on the subject of
the need Of a general plan in the de
rclopmcnt of Richmond. and "a brief
address by Mayor George Ainslie on
what has been accomplished by Euro
pcan cities through the adoption of
such 4 plan. Tho association also
adopted report OF a committee pro-
posing federation of similar civic
organizations In different sections OF
the city, and appointed Il committee to
confer with clubs in tho East End.
SouthSidc and in other localities which
nave FOR their object the hettcrment of
municipal conditions and the supcr-
vision OF improvements To streets and
lefty utilities.
No Political Speeches.
Organized Cor civic rather than po-
iitical purposes the club decided not
10 invite the various candidates for
municipal Office Ia make addresses
The matter WAS suggested but in view
loi past experiences ana the announced
purposes of the club to keep aloof from
fractional politics ana personal indorsc-
hehtS, 1t was determined to lot the
candidates for the mayoralty ana for
CITY Council fight their battles on some
other platform.
himself and Mr. Mcsse.. sanitary en-
sinecr OF the State Health Depart
mcnt, which already has the indorsc-
meht of the lthmoud Society OF En-
slnccrs, on the subject of city plan
nin=. After discussion the chairman
was authorized to name a committee
to represent the West End Citizens
( Association in conjunction with SINH
lar committees from other organiza-
ti"ns in presenting the matter before
the prope: authorities
Hnphnxard Growth of City.
Mr.. SaVillc reviewed the various
maps of Richmond from the first pla,s
OF Colonel William Byrd, showing that
The growth of the city had been most
haphazard, his table indicating that tho
rate Of Increase In population has
grown steadily as the city grew larp-
-, and that in no instance has the
growth In area kept pace with the
growth in population. OF the cities
OF from 100000 TO 2l5,00O population
I in the United states. he showed that
only three are more dcnscly populated
Even if the proposed annexation
lines are made effective, If Richmond
continues TO grow in its present ratio
and expects to keep its density of
population down To the general aver
age OF American cities, Mr.. Savillc
estimated that another general an
neXation of territory would be
necessary In about 1890.
lie went on to show how the streets
in the outlying sections have been laid
out without amy general plan. Main
thoroughfarcs radiatnS from near tho
business centre to the suburbs arc re
Gardcd AS essential, and as an illus
( tratlon OF what was meant by planning
for the future Mr.. SaVille pointed ont
the great advantages that would have
accrued had the city years ago at small
cost secured tho land for which ii must
now pay large sum to open Chamber
laync Avenue from Gintcr Park Iii
rectlH into Broad street. Had the
rights OF way been secured Years ago
Tor tho proposed "Rivcrsidc Drive"
from CANDLES Hill TO William Evrd
Park. great expense might have been
avoided
Enormous Cost iu I.ncl. of PInn.
~ still greater lack OF planning for
the future was the erection years ago
y
| Greek from Hrcad Street to the river
/ under Main and Cary Streets. and by
| tho chesapeake and Ohio Station fuzzy
! ten feet too narrow for the total flow:
! OF that stream, n defect which il VIII
/ cost the city an enormous sum to cor
/ rect.
/ In opening up new territory, Mr.
/ Savillc suggested that the city plan
! ming commission should determine in
| advance of building what streets are
! To be occupied BY car lines, so that
/ property owners may locate with that
! in view. The commission should also
! supervise the extension of the gas
I water and electric works. with II view
/ to the city OF the future.
Mcssrs. Savillc ana Mcsser were
given a vote OF thanks for the care
! full study they had given in prcpar-
| alton OF a very comprehensive paper
I which may well he made the basis OF
! work of such "a commission AS is pro
/ posed. III discussing the paper Mayor
, Ainslic said that he had no double able
men could be found who would give
! their services on such commission
! ana who would work for postcrity
| rather than for the results they might
"a, cd IL Iirir, n