The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-25
CHAMBER REPL les TO
CRITICISM OF ACTION
IN CAUTIONING CITY
OF RESOLUTIONS
ADVOCATING ECONOMY AP-
PEARS IN RICHMOND"

OF the Chamber of Commerce in form
Aliy advocating economy In city
finances for the Immediate future has
called forth some criticism. In this
article. published in the current issue
OF Richmond" official organ of the
chamber. is given an explanation of
inc resolutions adopted;
The Chamber is of the opinion IL can
be of much service to the people of
Richmond cooperating with the City
council in an advisory capacity In
many respects, particularly IN regard
TO its appropriations for permanent
improvements. as this class of i'm
provements are usually made from
proceeds of bond issues.
The Chamber Is ever watchful OF
conditions in our city bearing upon
industry, commerce. banking and edu-
cation. realizing the great importance
OF conserving these interests TO all
Classes of our people.
The Chamber regards good streets
sufficient number of good schools, good
sanitary conditions, ample fire and po-
lice protection. OF first Importance to
the city
The Chamber has been informed
that the conservative demands for ad-
ciHo%sssss elementary schools, improve
rnent OF streets, necessary bridges. bet
ter fire protection, the covering and
strengthening Of Shoekoe Creek. will
more than exhaust our unexpended
bond limit for the next ten years.
There are numerous other munich
pal improvements. vital TO the public
health and welfare, that must be made
In the near future, To provide suf-
fcent mum Der Of elementary schools
It would require the sum OF nearly
$4,000 notwithstanding the city has.
in the past few years constructed. and
Is now operating, many modern
schools The number. however, has
not been sufficient TO properly cars
for the constantly increasing child
population due 10 the growth Of our
CITY.
There are many other demands IN
the line or permanent improvements,
which. II supplied. would add greatly
20 the prosperity ef oar people. all OF
which might be regarded as necessary
improvements
In view of oar numerous needs 70
promote greater prosperity. the city
has urged the t'Its Council not to seri
ogsly consider tbs outlas " large sums
Of money in improvsme nts that could
lie, without injury or without refara-
ing the city progress. deferred for a
long time 10 come. certainly not Hn-
I'll after the essential needs o. our
city have been properly cared for
We regard this course necessary II CUR
city hopes to continue It's growth and
increase the prosperity Of our people.
It should he gratifying To our peo-
pie that tho wonderful growth OF our
city demands such vast Increased Ia
cuities. and should inspire the con-
sdence and stimulate the energy and
hope Of cur people to marked de-
gree, such indications are the truest
evidence of progress and growth,
hence the great necessity fer wide,
economical distribution of the ci0 s
revenue from taxes and proceeds from
bond issue.
Ne submit that Il will be exceeding
" unw{se for thu Council OF the city
nj Richmond to further encourage ny
small appropriations at intervals look
ing TO the erection of a new municipal
building which would likely require.
including the site. an appropriation or
A million and ona-half dollars, which
srpropriat!cu, IL made, would neces-
sariIy have 10 be from bond issue
extending the cost Of the building
about million and a quarter dollars
The plan proposed and adopted.
estimated the cost $4,000 for the
building. Experience has shown that
few. IL any public buildings, have ever
been erected within the cost OF the
estimated amount. We offer. as an IL
lustration, our City Hall. II was esti-
mated at the time this proposition was
considered that It's cost would not ex-
coed 100000: the fact is, that when
completed. II hal cost a million and
a half dollars. Few cities, II any, in
these United States. of three or four
hundred thousand population. can
possess as handsome a City Hall as we
have I'm Richmond
NC ynnnfCfnAl
bnildfng is authorized, the interest on
the cost OF sife and of the building,
maintenance and operation. would
cost our city annually 100000, which
would have to come out of our current
revenues which we are told by the
Finance Committee, are inadequate
now TO provide for the fixed expendl-
lures and improvements that should
nroperly be paid out OF the current
revenue.
The Chamber 10 OF the opinion that
" the Council of our city would act In
a cooperative spirit with the commit
toe appointed by the Legislature or
Virginia, which committee was au-
,hortzed to purchase the Ford site for
the state. OF Virginia for the purpose
ar erecting q handsome ctty building
thereon. that satisfactory amount TOT
the purchase of the lot be agreed
would likely appropriate a sum OF
money adequate to erect thereon a
magnificent State building. which pur-
nose was in view when they made the
appropriation to purchase the lot. be-
lssying that satisfactory arrangements
could be made with the city and the
state. this would insure for Richmond
another magnificent public building IN
the next year or two, at the same time
relieving our city of an enormous out
Law of money and an annual expendi-
ture of the current revenue OF prop
ably 100000 a year.
II the city retains the lot and does
not build in the next Ave or ten years.
the interest. which II has TO pay an
pually for the purchase price, which Is
about $4,000, 900 a year, will continue
10 add to the cost of this property 10
.he city without a commensurate en-
HANGING value. IT, In the distant
future, the city needed another pub
lice building, they could acquire an
ether site in the neighborhood which
would likely answer every purpose ana
POSSIBLY not require such large
amount Of money. IL they sell the
Ford lot to the State, they would re-
ceiye the cash for the amount OF tho
sale, which they could either use TO
purchase another lot or appropriate