Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-30
Engineering and Finance

y EIWEEN the plans to extend the West
u End avenues across the Belt Line tracks
rs proposed by the City Engineers Depart
mcnt, on the one hand, and the railroad Of
ticials OH the other, there is conflict that
appears almost irreconcilable. The Times
Dispatch vii, do what it can to assist Rich
mond in this difficulty. Under the auspices
OF this newspaper, an investigation OF the
whole complicated subject will be made
That investigation will be expert, unbiased.
authoritative. 1t Is our hope and belief that
when its results are given to the public they
will aid materially the right solution Of this
veXed problem.
Blu: there is another problem the solution
of which must precede decision whether the
tracks shall cross under or over the West
End avenues. 1t Is the question Of finance.
Richmond must make up it's mind whether il
is now in position, financially to defray It's
share of the large expense that the complete
project Will represent. Conservative opinion
will answer that question in the negative.
Richmond has much to answer for in the
shape Of territory recently annexed and
clamoring for Improvement. In the northern
and western suburbs there are broad areas
for which the city has done little or nothing
There are miles of streets that ought to be
graded, at least. and some OF which ought
to be paved There are lights that ought to
be installed and sewer and water mains that
oueh; TO be extended
municipal expenditures. Last years accumu-
lated deficit Of half million dollars will he
carried over into next year Of course il is
possible to absorb ii by new bond issues. but
the sound sense of the people of Richmond
will lead them assuredly to rebel against that
.unscicntific method of meeting their obliga-
lions. This is especially true when il is
realized that the public debt Of Richmond
approaches the bond limit and is among the
highest per capita of all the cities in the
country
Mere economies il is true. will not remove
This handicap OH ichmond's growth but that
tact Goes not lessen the duty of the authorl-
ties 20 economize wherever wisdom permits.
Wha, is needed is the abolition OF the con
dtltutionni prohibition Of assessments for
public improvements. change which would
place Richmond and other Virginia munici-
pallttes on an equal footing with the cities Of
ojher States. Were that change made. the
Belt Line crossings would become relatively
easy 10 finance. Until il is made all con
siderable works OF public betterment whe!
considered AS necessarily they mast be- in
connection with the gradual extension OF city
cohvrniences TO the annexed territory will
present large and serious difficulties
The crying need for extension in the West
End is that OF Monument Avenue. Other
streets. assuredy far as Belt Line cross
ingS are concerned may we'll await tighten
ms OF the citys financial strain and per-
maps change FOR the better in the citv's
method of financing improvements. Il is
difficult 10 see any sound reason why Monu-
ment Avenue should not cross the Belt Line
n grade, if that plan is recognized AS tenn
porary. and based explicitly on future pur-
pose To undertake more expensive and
adequate solution of the difficulty