Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-18


ton school might be investigated The
Z Board also took into consideration n
telegram from Alderman BARTON III.
irundy, chairman of the Finance Com
! ,hi'tce. requesting that the resolution
be tabled. in order that he might have
an opportunity To make a statement
bearing upon the measure before il was
passed.
GRUNDY ENpECTED
no OPPOSE PURCHASE
II is understood that Aldcrm,,
Grundy Will enter serious ohicction -
me si"'ooo Item for the purchase OF
the Clyde Line Wharf pronortv
cludcd in the resolution. which max.
appropriations totaling $4,000 for
school and other purposes Mr.. Grundv
ms consistently opposed the purchase
OF this property
c ohnirman George w Rogers, OF tho
Council Committee on Dock. River and
tarbor, who has long urged tho 49,
"uisition OF tho Clyde Line Wharf said
ias' night that he expected that n fight
would be made in the Board Tonight
"Saihst concurrence on this item. but
expressed the belief that the measure
had sufficient merit to command ,bc
'"'es necessary for its passage.
lt any measure In the last ten years
mas undergone more Investigation than
'he one providing for the ACQUISITION
OF the Clyde Line Wharf" said Mr..
WATERFRONT MEASURE
DATES FROM YEAR 1000
The idea OF the city owning lis
water frontage dates hack to October
l3VG. when a subcommittee composed OF
~. *. Pollard. Jr, T. Lee Peters w IT.
Turpin and q. II. Funston recommended
that the city acquire this niece and
adjacent property along tho river In
zoos, on recommendation of tho Finance
. Z
or the property fronting on the river.
me purchase was made out Of the
/ current revenue Of the city, and the
reason stated at that time why the en-
tirc frontage was not rccomIne ended for
acquisition was that the city's finances
would not permit the purchase without
issuing bonds The Finance Commit
tee did not deem 1t wise to Issue bonds
at that period. The compromise plan
was accepted by the advocates Of the
proposition with the understanding that
the balance would be acquired later
SAYS CLYDE LINE TRACT
IS KEY TO TERMINAL.
Since that time all the property
embraced in the Virginia condemnation
proceedings has been acquired by tho
| cry except the Clyde Line, which has
always been regarded as tho key to a
municipal -owned water terminal
Th" clyde Line property could have
| ncen purchased in 1908 for about s3l.-
600, and the Council was urged TO in
Guide IL in the purchase At that time.
Since that time the city has made con-
siderable Improvements in that vicinity.
an" INC value OF the property has nat
urally increased
The city Is committed to more i'm
2rove'hents In that section. which
means that unless the city ACQUIRES
the value Will enhance. The city de-
iaycd purchasing the dock. and finally
U ,,ol,
half Of the property as what the en-
tire property could have been acquired
for. ] regarded the purchase at this
Time as being OF the utmost Importance
10 the future welfare of Richmond.
WOULD ENCOURAGE
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
The Federal government has adopted
the policy OF only assisting In the de-
| velopment OF the rivers whose cities
own their terminals. Tho addition OF
the Clyde Line property to what the
! city now owns will permit Richmond to
share Federal aid In the developing
| James River.
With the Clyde Line property the
| city can construct spur tracks lead
ing to track operated by the South
crn and Chesapeake Railways. This
| VIII permit vessels cargo 10 be
placed In cars and switched to any
| portion OF the city, resulting a big saw
! ing in freight rates.
| ''On the Clyde Line property can be
| constructed n two-story wharf and
! storage house. which can accommodate
! the steamers In time of high water, as
| II is only short distance to the ele-
! waited Lester Street This Improvement
| will serve the purpose OF those who ad-
vocate tho widening of the lock gates
| and the deepening of the dock. which is
estimated TO cost over 100000 and
Will not possess the freight facilities
| that can he had at the Clyde Line prop