The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-26
GREATER PETERSBURG
MOVEMENT IS ON FOOT
Mould Become One of Greatest Cities
In State BY Annexation OF Part
of Prince George.
EXTEND LIMITS TO THE JAMES
Dupont City, City Point and Hopewell
Would Become Part of Petersburg
and BE Given City's Water, Sewer,
Fire and Police Advantages.

Walter Edward Harris, editor Of
the Petersburg Index-Appeal, presents
in outline plan by which Hopewell
and City Point may become a part of
city of Petersburg. and that city, by
annexation of a strip through Prince
George County to the James River,
become one Of the largest cities in the
State. Mr.. Harris several months ago
proposed annexation of the new com
munity and his suggestion has met
with favor in certain quarters.
That there would be some oppose
ton was expected, but 1t is not be-
lieved that this will prove serious
enough to ruin the proposed union of
the two communities. Under the head
ing, Greater Petersburg" MIR. Harris
said editorially yesterday morning.
1t is inconceivable that there should
be opposition of serious proportions to
sHopewell under one government
Everything is to be said for the prop
osition nothing of serious weight
against ii. The annexation of Hope
we'll would be of incalculable benefit
to Hopewe1i itself and would adj
vantage Petersburg more than any
thing which has happened in the his
tory of the city. more than anything
which could happen
Months ago the Index Appeal out
lined the plan whereby the new city
could be brought into the limits Of
Petersburg. We hoped that the sug-
gestion would bear fruit. The pros
poets are that 1t will yield abundant-
~.
Through the annexation of strip
of Prince George County, wide enough
to provide for the construction Of a
boulevard to City Point the two cities
could be brought into contact. Then
it simply would be necessary to lay
down the lines of territory to be an
nexed SO as to include Hopewen, Du-
pont City and City Point. 1t might
be found desirable TO include territory
at the eastern limits of the city, proba-
bly, White Hill and the development at
Cedar Level.
"Ail this should be done as soon as
possible in order that Hopeweil may
have the municipal government which
is so badly needed. The citizens or
the town propose to seek incorpora-
ton at the coming session of the
Legislature. The citizens or Peters
burg and Of Hopewell should cooper
ate to bring about union instead OF
working to establish Hopewell as an
independent municipality.
1T should be a simple matter to
extend the limits of petersburg so
as to include Hopewell We have no
doubt the vast majority of citizens
of Hopeweii are willing to work
heartily with this end in view. The
two cities united soon could provide
Hopewell with streets. lighting and
sewerage systems. and police and fire
protection adequate To the demands
1T is not often that new com
munity like Hopeweil has offered 1t
such an opportunity TO become part
of an old city with all that that inn
plies. And IL is rare that an old
city is offered such an opportunity to
extend it's limits. and gain so richly
in population and wealth and pros
poets for future growth. This step
taken now undoubtedly would result
in the building of great city ex-
tending from the Appomattox at Pc
tersburg to where the Appomattox
and the James unite at City Point.
The census of 1890 would show Pc
tersburg the leading city in the State
in white population and in manu-
features.
THE matter OF bringing about the
of Hopewell should not be
left to private initiative and efforts
The Chamber of Commerce should
not be depended upon solely to achieve
this work. although, of course. that
organization would be expected to
back up the movement to the extent of
its power.
e But the movement should be In
charge OF the City Council. That body
should appoint at once a committee
to take charge OF the matter, and
such committee should have at ita
disposal a fund adequate TO meet the
expenses involved in bringing the
movement To a successful issue"